Overview of cultural and artistic events in 2026

Immerse yourself in the rainbow of exceptional cultural events that will mark the year 2026.

Feel the cultural and creative vibe of 2026

Welcome to the whirlwind of diverse cultural events in 2026! Go with the flow of diverse festival events, enjoy top-level performances on stages in Slovenia, and experience the contemporary creative spirit at featured exhibitions and biennials.

Five people in traditional Kurent costumes stand in front of a large PTUJ sign. — Foto:Stanko Kozel

Welcome to Ptuj – the 2026 Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe

Ptuj has everything you need to understand how the town's cultural life has developed during a full millennium. It boasts a rich history, UNESCO-listed heritage, vibrant cultural events and festivals that serve as a bridge between the past and contemporary art. It is precisely because of this rich cultural and historical heritage and diverse cultural life that the oldest Slovenian town has been awarded the 2026 Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe title. And this is all the more reason to visit the town nestled between the Drava River and the wine-growing hills of Haloze and Slovenske Gorice in 2026.

Get to know the cultural and historical heart of Ptuj

A play featuring riders in historical costumes on horses with a large, enthusiastic crowd next to the stage.

Škofja Loka Passion Play – a historical spectacle taking place again in the streets and squares of Škofja Loka in 2026

Considered the oldest preserved dramatic text in the Slovenian language, the Škofja Loka Passion Play is a unique example of an annotated dramatic text also on a European scale. It is due to this exceptionality that the Škofja Loka Passion Play has been placed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But the Škofja Loka Passion Play is not just a precious written artefact from the 18th century. Every six years it is staged by the locals in the streets and squares of Škofja Loka. It is an extraordinary historical spectacle involving more than 1,000 volunteers and attracting thousands of visitors to Škofja Loka. And, in 2026, there will be another opportunity to see it during Easter (21 March – 12 April).

Be part of the historical spectacle in Škofja Loka

A year of Slovenian poetry, prose and drama greats

Many cultural events in 2026 will commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of prominent Slovenian writers and poets. We will be marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Srečko Kosovel, an avant-garde poet from the Karst region; the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ivan Cankar, the most important Slovenian playwright and writer; and the 100th anniversary of the death of Zofka Kveder, a ground-breaking Slovenian writer and publicist who focused on the position of women in society.

Srečko Kosovel – a ground-breaking poet of the Karst

Although he died at the very young age of 22, Srečko Kosovel left a great mark on the Slovenian cultural treasury with his incisive, constructivist and avant-garde poetry. In his poetry, he often highlighted themes of the inner divide in humans, an unjust society, a sense of transience and the fragility of the world, while at the same time believing in the ethical responsibility of the individual.

Ivan Cankar – a Slovenian drama and prose great

In his works, Ivan Cankar, the most important Slovenian writer, playwright and essayist, held up a critical mirror to society and social injustices. His plays are topical even today and are often performed on the stages of Slovenian theatres. One of the country’s leading cultural venues – Cankarjev Dom – is named after him.

Zofka Kveder – a pioneer of feminist thought in Slovenia

This writer and publicist who worked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries is considered one of the first activists to focus on the position of women in society. With her literary works and public activism, she paved the way for later generations of women artists and intellectuals. Her “legacy” is proclaimed today at events such as the City of Women Festival.

Experiences that explore the legacy of literary greats

Explore the mysterious Karst and Kosovel’s native town of Sežana in interesting ways such as solving puzzles in the Kosovel’s Enigma gamified experience. Take a stroll through Cankar's native town of Vrhnika and explore the life and work of the literary great, and feel the activist spirit of Zofka Kveder through the challenges women face in society today and their creativity as presented at the City of Women Festival.

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Kosovel's Karst

Among other things, Srečko Kosovel’s poetry paid homage to his native Karst, and today his name inspires a series of experiences that, in addition to the poet's legacy, present the natural wonders of...

Cankar's Vrhnika

In Ivan Cankar's native town, you will come across his name almost everywhere; you can visit his homestead, take a guided stroll along the path of his youth, and have a sip of Cankar's coffee.

The City of Women, Ljubljana

Since 1995, two weeks of October in Ljubljana have been dedicated to learning about the latest creative efforts of women, their networking, socialising, conversations, and thinking about the future.

Aerial view of an illuminated castle courtyard during twilight, hosting an event.

Contemporary cultural festivals for every taste

Mark on your calendar some of the most prominent contemporary festivals, each boasting a rich tradition and gaining recognition on an international scale.

Festivals where various arts intertwine

Dance, music, poetry, art exhibitions and workshops, talks with renowned artists and other forms of art - all of this can be found at festivals that gather several forms of art together into an exceptional cultural bouquet.

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Film festivals

Do you have a craving for top-notch film productions? Satisfy it at some of the renowned international film festivals.

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Renowned music festivals

Music enthusiasts can indulge their passion at numerous music festivals catering to a wide range of tastes. Here are some of the most recognisable festivals, each boasting an exceptional tradition and international recognition.

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Top-notch performances on Slovenian stages

Slovenian theatre artists have been at the pinnacle of the European and global art scene for decades. Slovenian theatre offers performances of works by domestic authors and productions of foreign dramatic works. In doing so, it also collaborates with artists from other countries, creating truly top-notch performances. Here are some that are well worth remembering and seeing.

Tristan and Isolde

Wagner's operatic masterpiece will be staged at the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana for the first time. It is a large international co-production involving four European opera houses from Belgium, Spain, Poland and Slovenia in collaboration with director Robert Wilson.

Medea

This co-produced performance, which is the result of an international collaboration between the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and the Croatian National Theatre Varaždin, is helmed by internationally renowned director Martin Kušej.

Frida

The story of the controversial Mexican painter Frida Kahlo will be staged as a ballet at the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor. It is a contemporary, conceptual ballet performance directed by internationally renowned choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

Major exhibitions

Get to know the global and local in art and creativity at major exhibitions in Slovenia. Take a look at the exhibition on world-renowned artists Ulay and Marina Abramović at the Cukrarna gallery, while in 2026 you will still have the opportunity to see the Spectrum exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the Maribor Art Gallery. The Lah Museum, where contemporary works of art by internationally renowned artists will be exhibited, is scheduled to open in Bled in 2026.

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Lah Museum, Bled

This museum of contemporary art, which is expected to open in the summer of 2026, will feature more than 800 works of art by renowned Slovenian and international artists drawn from the private collection...

Spectrum, Maribor Art Gallery

The exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the Maribor Art Gallery, created by designer David Tavčar, brings together a collection of more than 250 works of art, displayed in the rooms and halls of...

Ulay / Marina Abramović ART VITAL

The exhibition provides the first multi-layered insight into the creative period of this artistic tandem between 1976 and 1988. The exhibition will focus on depicting their nomadic lifestyle, which significantly...

The design of the Lah Museum is the work and property of the architectural studio David Chipperfield Architects.

Some more exceptional exhibitions

You should also visit other galleries and venues that display works by local and foreign artists. Some ongoing and upcoming exhibitions can be found in the calendar.

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30Nov-03May

Visit the Art Vital exhibition, showcasing the collaborative work and life of the renowned artistic duo Ulay and Marina Abramović, key figures in performance...

Ulay / Marina Abramović [ART VITAL]

Overview of cultural and artistic events in 2026

Feel the cultural and creative vibe of 2026

Welcome to Ptuj – the 2026 Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe

Škofja Loka Passion Play – a historical spectacle taking place again in the streets and squares of Škofja Loka in 2026

A year of Slovenian poetry, prose and drama greats

Srečko Kosovel – a ground-breaking poet of the Karst

Ivan Cankar – a Slovenian drama and prose great

Zofka Kveder – a pioneer of feminist thought in Slovenia

Experiences that explore the legacy of literary greats

Contemporary cultural festivals for every taste

Festivals where various arts intertwine

Film festivals

Renowned music festivals

Top-notch performances on Slovenian stages

Tristan and Isolde

Medea

Frida

Major exhibitions

Some more exceptional exhibitions

Concert venues

Cultural events for every taste

Contemporary art at every turn

Immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural flow

Stories from Slovenia

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