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Ljubljana Winter Festival 2026

Ljubljana Winter Festival 2026

Ljubljana Festival enters 2026 with the 9th edition of its Winter Festival, bringing outstanding Slovenian and international musical artists to the capital between 10 February and 2 March. Alongside symphonic concerts, chamber music and recitals, the programme will also feature the International Piano Competition Festival Ljubljana – Piano 2026, further strengthening the festival’s international profile.

Conductor leading an orchestra and pianist on stage at Cankarjev dom.

Between 10 February and 2 March, Ljubljana Festival will once again invigorate the city’s cultural life with a rich and carefully curated programme. The Winter Festival has become a fixture of Ljubljana’s winter calendar, offering a sequence of exceptional concert evenings performed by some of today’s most respected artists.

The festival opens on 10 February at 7:30 pm in the Gallus Hall of Cankarjev dom, where the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet by Hector Berlioz will be performed under the baton of legendary conductor Charles Dutoit. The concert will feature the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kaunas State Choir and the Festival Choir Virtuozi, with solo performances by Cyrille Dubois, Julie Boulianne and Edwin Crossley-Mercer.

The programme unfolds with a diverse range of musical forms and settings. On 12 February, the Knights’ Hall of Križanke will host the literary-musical recital Ivana Tells – the Harp Resonates. A chamber concert by the Slokar Trombone Quartet follows on 17 February, combining contemporary interpretations with jazz and cinematic influences. On 18 February, Ensemble Dissonance will perform in the Marjan Kozina Hall, presenting works by Boccherini, Granados, Ferran, Tartini and Toldrá.

A central highlight of the festival is the International Piano Competition Festival Ljubljana – Piano 2026, taking place from 21 February to 1 March under the artistic direction of Epifanio Comis. Thirty young pianists from nineteen countries will compete before an international jury chaired by Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak. The competition culminates in two final evenings on 28 February and 1 March, held in the Gallus Hall.

The Winter Festival concludes on 2 March with a special recital by world-renowned pianist Grigory Sokolov, widely regarded as one of the most profound and uncompromising interpreters of our time. His performance promises a powerful and contemplative finale, marked by musical depth, intensity and exceptional artistry.

Ljubljana Winter Festival 2026 continues the tradition of bringing top-level artistic excellence to audiences during the winter season, while reinforcing Ljubljana’s standing as an internationally recognised cultural destination. Tickets are already available on the festival’s website.

More information

Photo: Ljubljana Festival Archive

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