Plovdiv is bringing together the city’s two flagship July music events in a month-long celebration of music, art, and urban culture entitled Phillgood Month 2026, the Plovdiv Municipality said on Wednesday.

The initiative connects the Phillgood (July 17–19) and Hills of Rock (July 24–26) festivals under the motto “One City. One Heartbeat”, extending the festival atmosphere beyond the concert venues and transforming the city itself into an immersive cultural experience. Throughout July, visitors will encounter large-scale street art, photo installations, evening audiovisual projections, a dedicated festival hub in the city centre, and 16 participating bars offering festival-inspired signature cocktails.

Phillgood Festival will open the month’s concert programme with a diverse international lineup spanning alternative, indie, electronic, and contemporary music, featuring headliners including The Cure, Gorillaz and Moby. Hills of Rock will follow with a heavier sound, bringing major rock and metal acts such as Marilyn Manson, Godsmack, P.O.D. and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter.

The organizers said the international appeal of the events is already reflected in ticket sales, with more than a quarter of Phillgood tickets purchased by visitors from outside Bulgaria. The concept draws inspiration from Europe’s most recognizable festival cities, where music events become part of the wider urban experience rather than remaining confined to festival grounds.

A key element of Phillgood Month will be a new mural by renowned Bulgarian graffiti artist Nassimo, who will create the artwork live in Plovdiv’s Kapana district from July 11 to 15. The mural will remain as a permanent addition to the city’s public art collection after the festivals end, the Municipality said.

The initiative is launched by Fest Team, the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation, and Plovdiv Municipality. Both Phillgood and Hills of Rock are part of the European Capital of Culture Legacy Programme, further strengthening Plovdiv’s position as one of Southeast Europe’s leading festival destinations.