Traditional events
We present you 12 of the most interesting events in Ljubljana and its surroundings, which bring people together, preserve old habits and customs, or help create new ones.
Dragon Carnival
February (Shrove Saturday), Ljubljana
The Dragon Carnival consists of a Shrovetide parade along the Ljubljana’s streets and an accompanying entertainment programme. It is a family-friendly event that your children will definitely enjoy. The parade consists of traditional Shrovetide figures originating from pagan folk tradition, such as the kurents, laufarji and morostarji.
LUV Fest
February 8 to March 12, Ljubljana
LUV Fest is a festival of love, art and wandering, which will take place in Ljubljana from 8 February, a day when the greatest Slovenian poet France Prešeren is commemorated, through to 12 March, when by tradition birds start their courtship.
With the LUV Fest festival, we celebrate the love for our culture, our heritage, and the Slovenian language. Under the common theme of love, we present numerous cultural events in the city along with an engaging accompanying program. It's a festival encompassing all genres for all generations. During the festival, we aim for Ljubljana to become a space for discovery, learning, encountering, and coexisting with various cultures.
Gregorčki
11 March, Ljubljana
The Welcoming of Spring is one of the most beautiful traditional events. It is especially intended for families with children. A day before Gregorjevo (St. Gregory’s Day) children send off candle-lit wooden miniature boats downstream and thus observe an old custom of welcoming spring.
Open Kitchen
March – October (Every Friday), Ljubljana
Do not miss the Open Kitchen. At the Central Market chefs from all over Slovenia prepare and sell their dishes right in front of you. You can enjoy Slovenian cuisine catering to all taste preferences, from the traditional and local to the exotic world cuisine.
Lighting Guerrilla
Mid-May – Mid-June, Ljubljana
The Lighting Guerrilla brings light to the city centre. Galleries, streets, squares and parks in the city centre come to life with lighting elements of all kinds, exhibitions, video and spatial installations, screenings, performances and art workshops.
Ljubljana Wine Route
June and November, Ljubljana
The Wine Route in the centre of Ljubljana introduces Slovenian winemakers from all wine-growing parts of the country. The wine is accompanied by a selection of traditional Slovenian dishes. The entertainment programme includes brass band music and performances by folklore dance groups.
Posavsko Štehvanje (Quintain)
June, Savlje, Ljubljana
Štehvanje is a traditional folk event in Ljubljana’s Posavje resembling ancient chivalry tournaments. Unmarried men from Savlje, Kleče and Ježica compete against each other in an equestrian game to win women’s attention. Using metal bats they have to smash a wooden barrel.
Argonaut Days
June, Vrhnika
Ancient Greek legend has it that in one of their quests Argonauts, led by Jason, arrived all the way to the Ljubljanica springs. Their quest is commemorated every year with a festival where you can enjoy a re-enactment of Argonauts’ adventures and an accompanying programme of ethnological, cultural, culinary and entertainment events.
Ana Desetnica
July, Ljubljana
The Ana Desetnica street theatre festival transforms Ljubljana’s streets into one big stage for a couple of days where performers, acrobats, circus performers and fire artists enchant and provoke the audience, as well as incorporate the spectators into their show. Do not miss the autumnal fiery edition of the festival Ana Plamenita and the winter edition Ana Mraz.
Days of National Costumes
September, Kamnik
In the Kamnik old town, a parade takes place where national costumes from various Slovenian regions as well as other nations from all over the world are presented. At the festival, which was first organised in 1966, you can also enjoy the accompanying entertainment programme and a selection of traditional culinary delights.
Ljubljana Marathon
October, Ljubljana
What makes the Ljubljana Marathon special? The Ljubljana Marathon is an event that reflects the active life of the city’s residents. The route is attractive as it almost exclusively runs along the streets of Ljubljana. Each year the number of runners from all over the world increases.
November Gourmet Ljubljana
The November Gourmet festival showcases Ljubljana's best culinary offerings. Aside from the main events, such as the Gourmet Ljubljana Crawl as part of the European Food Summit, Ljubljana Wine Route, Slovenian Wine Festival, several venues throughout the city host a wide range of exciting events, workshops, and tastings.
December in Ljubljana
In the Advent season, Ljubljana becomes a bustling city decorated with original space-themed Christmas decorations. You can enjoy the holiday market in the old city centre as well as numerous outdoor concerts, Father Frost parades and other free events.