Events in Slovenia
Festivals, Sport Championships, Cultural Happennings

As small and compact country Slovenia happens to be it hosts a surprisingly wide range of events every year so no matter in which season you may visit Slovenia you're bound to witness some interesting events and festivals.

Winter Events in Slovenia

When winter in Slovenia than it's time for skiing. And just for ordinary people. Several major ski and other winter sport competitions take place at the first class ski resorts of Slovenia.

The Golden Fox, Women's World Cup Slalom & Giant Slalom Championship is held in January at Mariborsko Pohorje ski centre, southwest of Maribor.

In February everybody is preparing for the Kurentovanje the Mardi Gras of Slovenia (it last 10 days till Shrove Tuesday). Ptuj gives home to main Kurentovanje Festival but other Cerknica in Notranjska region, Cerkno in Primorska or the Prekmurje settlements also have winter-chasing carnivals.

What's Kurentovanje?

Character of Kurent or Korant, the Slovenian Dionysus, plays the major role in the carnival. God Kurent symbolizes unbridled pleasure and hedonism. People wearing sheepskin, belts or chains with cow bells, and enormous decorated furry caps with leather face masks are called the Kurents.

They dance and whirl on the streets, ringing their bells and shaking the wooden clubs they carry along to chase away demons and cold winter days. In the villages they process from house to house making lots of noise to scare off the evil spirits.

Traditionlly only unmarried men were menat to wear the outfit but nowadays everybody can dress up if he/she want to participate in the events of Kurentovanje.

Throughout the 10-day celebration street performances enetertain visitors to Ptuj, while you can continue carousing i on the masked ball held in the carnival tent.

The event reaches its peak on Sunday when a steet parade marches along the steets. Kurentovanje ends on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when the 40-day Lent preceding Easter starts.

Mohács in Southern Hungary has similar ritual carnivals called Busójárás in February.

Spring Events in Slovenia

The Ski Jumping World Cup Competition is held in March in Planica ski resort, near Kranjska Gora.

In April the Volcji Potok arboretum near Kamnik dresses up in flowers for the Spring Flower Show & Gardening Fair. Every year one blooming tulip is dedicated to every Slovene. Cultural and equestrian performances provide for addtional entertainment.

Tulip Days At Volcji Potok arboretum

The aim of the Salt Work Festival held in April in Piran and at the Secovlje Salt Works Country Park is to maintain the tradition of salt making.

The Druga Godba Festival of alternative and world music is usually organised late May-early June in the Krizanke part of Ljubljana.

Summer Events in Slovenia

Summer is the most busy part of year regarding events in Slovenia.

Lake Bled hosts the 3-day International Rowing Regatta towards the end of June.

From late June to early October the International Biennial of Graphic Arts take place at Ljubljana's International Centre of Graphic Arts and at other parts of the city. As the name of the event suggests the it's held in every other year (2009, 2011 etc.)

Cultural and folklore events enliven the life in Maribor's Old Town during the Lent Festival in late June-early July.

The number one event in Slovenia, the Ljubljana Summer Festival entertain locals and tourists with music, theatre and dance shows from the beginning of July till end of August.

The major event of the Slovenia Coast is the Primorska Summer Festival (beginning of July-mid-August). Four coastal towns (Piran, Koper, Izola and Portoroz) host various theatrical and dance performances.

Rock Otocec a 4-day rock festival takes place in early July near the scneic Otocec castle, 5 km northwest of Novo Mesto (day tickets (purchased on the spot cost 27 €, purchased in advance 16 € till 4th Apr, 22 € till 5th July). Claimed to be the largest open-air festival it has 4000-8000 visitors daily. besides concerts by international and local music bands other interesting programs (craft workshops, street theathre shows, model competition etc.) keep the crowd busy.

In August Bled hosts the 2-day Okarina Etno Festival featuring folk and world music performances.

In mid-August Piran, the charmig fishing town on the Slovenia coast attracts classical music lovers from all over the world during the Tartini Festival.

Almost every worthwhile castle in Slovenia has medieval tournaments but most famous of all is the Erasmus Knights Tournament held in August at the captivating Predjama Castle. For me the highlight of the event is the Medieval Banquet, a feast on which period dishes are served within the

Autumn & Winter Events in Slovenia

The Cow's Ball (Kravji Bal) at Bohinj welcomes back the return of the cows from the high pastures to the lower valleys. A weekend full of carousing, eating, drinking, and dancing.

Cow's Ball at lake Bohinj

Dormouse Night at Cerknica

The forests near Sneznik castle area popular hunting ground for dormouse. Traditionally the dormouse hunting season is opened on a Saturday night closest to 25th September.

In October Ljubljana turns into the city of female artists during the City of Women Festival, an international contemorary art gathering celebrating art and culture created by women.

The Ljubljana Marathon is also in October.

December is time for preparing for Christmas. Christmas Concerts make a festive atmosphere throughout Slovenia. The most famous Christmas event takes place at Postojna Cave where the Birth of Jesus is re-eneacted within the Live Christmas Crib. Read our guide to Christmas in Ljubljana.