Festival summer in Slovenia

Slovenia almost buzzes with excitement during the summer, as outdoor festivals in the central and eastern parts of the country attract large numbers of visitors. The 62nd Ljubljana Festival opens up Slovenia`s cultural summer in a cosmopolitan spirit. The Veronika`s Tales jazz festival in Kamnik will soon begin and will be followed by the 22nd Lent festival in Maribor on 20 June which is Slovenia`s biggest outdoor festival. Jazz is returning to the scene in grand style in Ljubljana at the beginning of July. This is the most intensive period when Slovenian towns and cities will establish their network, as said by the organizers of the street performance festival Ana Desetnica, uniting the country from Ljubljana to Gorenjska and Primorska in the west, Posavje in the south, and Štajerska in the east. They will toast to the peak of summer in the beginning of July in Laško, at the 50th anniversary of the Beer and Flowers festival.

Slovenia is the land of festivals and celebrations. Feel the energy this summer, where the experience is to be held outdoors. The biggest and oldest festival in Slovenia and the broader region is the Ljubljana Festival, which lasts all summer. Over the years it has shaped the summer face of Ljubljana and become a way of life during vacation, both for the numerous visitors as well as for the citizens of Ljubljana. For many artists from the world of theatre, music, and dance, it is an important reference, which is why they like to come back.

From 18 to 21 June, Kamnik invites you to the Veronika`s Tales Jazz Festival, held in the Zaprice Castle. There is in general an abundance of the jazz spirit in Slovenia. The creators of this music have several interesting camps around Slovenia and between 2 and 5 July, Ljubljana will be opening the doors to its 55th Ljubljana Jazz Festival, one of the oldest festivals of its kind in Europe. This year it will be dedicated to the piano and to Norwegian jazz.

Between 20 June and 5 July, Maribor, the second largest Slovenian city, is hosting the Lent Festival, the international cultural event with 22 years of tradition. The festival will last for 16 Dionysian days and nights! This is also the biggest outdoor Slovenian festival, and one of the biggest in Europe. This year`s festival promises a varied program with numerous concerts and events at around 40 venues along the banks of the Drava river, the city centre, and the park. Concerts under the starry sky are always magical, and a special treat will be offered by a classical concert in a medieval synagogue, along the streets of the old city centre, which during Lent is filled with artists of all sorts, and jazz beats can be heard as well. For lovers of green, this is an urban park of experiences. For an even more intensive green escape, spend some time at nearby Pohorje, which offers many opportunities for active hikers and cyclists, whether in the forests, among the vineyards, high in the hills, or in the meadows. Feel Maribor, how it pulses with music, dance, and creativity.

Soon Slovenia will be in great festival form! Laško, known as one of the European Destinations of Excellence in Slovenia, will be hosting the 50th anniversary of its summer music festival between 17 and 20 July. Beer and Flowers Festival presents a unique dialogue between traditional ethnographic and folklore events and modern multimedia shows. More than 50 Slovenian and foreign musicians will be performing on three large stages and other venues. Other popular events at the Beer and Flowers Festival include a farmers wedding, a parade of brass bands, a flower exhibition, and a magnificent fireworks along the Savinja river. The Water Symphony is also an unforgettable experience – a multimedia presentation which can, besides in Laško, only be seen in Macau and Las Vegas. Of course, everything is more beautiful and flourishing in Laško with a pitcher of local beer, made at the local brewery since 1825. Almost 10 million litres of Laško beer have been consumed by more than 1 million visitors in the last 50 years. The brewery supports the best Slovenian handball club from the nearby Celje, famous around the world for the Counts of Celje. The most romantic spot of the Summer in Celje festival will be at the Old Castle, which will host many concerts in its courtyard. Feel the festive Slovenia!

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