Pre-summer and summer festival journey through Slovenia

The arrival of summer also offers a rich festival period in Slovenia. Festivals give cities a fresh spirit, while both locals and visitors experience the cities and other venues, which turn into lively settings, in a different, less touristic way. Slovenia certainly cannot be accused of festival lethargy. In Ljubljana alone more than thirty festivals take place every year; however, numerous other places are certainly not falling behind in the organization of traditional and in the creation of new events.

A walk through the repertoire of some of the main coming pre-summer and summer Slovenian festival events will satisfy even the most diverse tastes - the selection is very diverse.

A tribute of springtime charms

6th International Wild Flower Festival (Bohinj, May 19 – June 2, 2012)
With a background of the mystical mountains of Triglav National Park, Bohinj is the perfect venue for those who seek tranquillity and pristine nature. On 21 May, Bohinj will become host to the International Wild Flower Festival for the fifth consecutive year, addressing visitors who wish to learn about the local nature, its values and cultural heritage in an attractive way.

Spring Flower Show (Arburetum Volčji Potok, April 21 – May 2, 2012)
The real spring begins with an exhibition of tulips in Arboretum – only about 15 minutes away from the Slovenian capital the largest Slovenian arboretum will host the 21st traditional exhibition of tulips, flowers and gardening equipment..

Festival of saltmaking on St. George’s day (Piran and Sečovlje Regional Park, April 21 – 22, 2012)
For centuries, the salt pans in the North Adriatic Sea had a large impact on the economy of the countries and city states in this area, including the Slovenian coast. The salt making tradition becomes particularly lively on the occasion of the St. George`s Day celebration, marking the beginning of a new salt-making season.

Creative summer days

Festival Lent (Maribor, June 22 – July 7, 2012)
This multicultural festival that finds its origins in the folklore festival of Folkart has received several awards, among them 40 awards from The International Festival and Events Association (IFEA). More than 14 days of excellent festival happenings with many renowned Slovenian and foreign performers changes the banks of the Drava River into a lively cultural and sociable centre, beating with all kinds of rhythms. A variety of more than 400 performances on 30 locations and stages and half a million visitors make Festival Lent one of the biggest festivals in Europe.

53rd Ljubljana Jazz Festival (Ljubljana, June 28 – 30, 2012)
Each year, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival features some of the world`s biggest names in jazz, attracting music lovers from home and abroad. Since 1960, when it was founded as a festival presenting classical jazz bands from former Yugoslavia, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival has kept pace with international developments in the genre. Today, it provides a connoisseur`s choice of music and offers an exciting insight into the creativity of contemporary jazz.

Ljubljana Festival (Ljubljana, June 20 – September 13, 2011)
Light entertainment by day, high culture by night – available in the heart of the city (at Prešernov trg square) free of charge. That is what the Ljubljana festival is all about. City life in Ljubljana will be livened up by more than 40 free events held at Prešernov trg square. Those taking place in the morning will be particularly intended for children, afternoons will be reserved for light dance and music performances, and evenings for top quality dance, theatre and music events.

15th International Street Theatre Festival Ana Desetnica (Ljubljana and other cities, June 28 - July 2, 2012)
This is an international street arts festival taking place each year in Ljubljana, Maribor, Kamnik, Šoštanj, Celje, etc. Street artists from all over the world attract masses of spectators. In Ljubljana, there are up to 30,000 spectators, while in all the other towns all together, twice as many. In the 143 years of the festival’s existence, the number of spectators has amounted up to a quarter of a million - a huge achievement for a specialized festival.

Festival Seviqc Brežice 2012 (Brežice, June 22 – September 1, 2012)
The most beautiful concerts presenting old music with top artists from all over the world, which are held in the most beautiful cultural monuments of Slovenia, at hystorically important locations, are particularly interesting for visitors. Today, the Seviqc Brežice festival is a synonym for old music in Slovenia. Watching and listening to various programme sets, you will get to know European and world heritage, with a special emphasis on music that was born in Slovenia. Music is performed with authentic instruments and in an authentic mode of performance.

Blejski dnevi (Bled, July 20 – 22, 2012)
In a few short days, visitors can witness the making of arts and crafts, and listen to promenade concerts. But, the majority of visitors gather at the traditional Bled night, when the lake and the castle “flare up”. Crews in boats place around 15,000 lights in egg shells on the surface of the lake, and lighten up the lake and its surroundings, after which the five-minute fireworks from the castle dress Bled in countless colours.

We invite you to take a look at the event calendar.

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