The holidays are over and while the days are getting longer we’re still going into deeper winter, so it might be a good idea to focus on some of the more enjoyable public events ahead in the next three months and make a note in your calendar.
If we missed anything you think we should include, no matter how small, then please send details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
January 23 – 26: The BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Pokljuka – details and tickets.
January 24 – 26: The Snow Castles of King Matjaž in Črna na Koroškem is a three-day family-friendly event with a focus on building snow castle, accompanied by a full entertainment programme. Details.
January 25: Ice Trophy on Jasna Lake. On this day “amateur and ex-pro ice hockey players will fight on the ice lake for one goal - winning the ICE TROPHY. Experience a unique and authentic sport and nature. All adult recreational players are welcome. In addition to the hockey competition, there will be a very varied accompanying program for families”. More details here and note that the whole thing is free.
January 29: February 1 GASTexpo Fair – Ljubljana, “offers various exhibitions, tastings, workshops, and competitions. The event includes wine fair with domestic and international wine offer. More information can be found here.”
January 29 – February 1st: Natour Alpe-Adria Fair, the main tourist fair in Slovenia which promotes green, active tourism is back for it’s 31st edition – details.
January 31 –2 February 6th: Festival AS at Festival Hall Bled: “The AS International Music Festival is a saxophone-themed event addressing a wide audience, amateurs and professionals alike, with a vision of becoming the central event of its type in this part of Europe. It is duly named after Belgian instrument inventor Adolphe Sax, whose most famous invention is the saxophone itself.” More details here.
February 2: Kurent - korant's jump, Ptuj, the start of the Carnival season. “Shortly before midnight, crackers announce the arrival of the kurents at the scene where a big bonfire awaits them. At midnight, they put on bells and dance their first year’s dance around the fire.” More here.
February 2 – 6: Winter Ljubljana Festival: “The fourth, now traditional, edition of the festival with the accompaniment of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, will feature selected internationally renowned pianists and present the most beautiful piano and symphonic works from Beethoven's extensive music treasury.” Programme notes here.
February 3–9: Winter Swimming World Championships, Lake Bled. Register or learn more here.
February 5 – 7: MENT, the international music showcase festival returns to Kino Šiška, with more details here.
February 15–25: The 60th Kurentovanje Carnival starts and ends in Ptuj, with the peak on the 23rd and the International Carnival Parade.
February 15 – 16: Women's World Cup slalom and giant slalom races will be held at the 56th Golden Fox competition in Maribor. Tickets and times here.
February 22: Dragon Carnival in the Streets of Ljubljana “The Dragon carnival traditionally held in Ljubljana consists of a large Shrovetide carnival parade through the city's streets and a programme of entertainment held in the centrally located Kongresni trg square. The carnival parade includes, among others, a number of typical Slovenian carnival figures rooted in pagan tradition, such as 'kurent', 'laufar', 'morostar' and several others.”
February 22 – 23: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Women will take place in Ljubno, with tickets here.
February 23: Carnival in Cerknica, home of witches, and also in Tržič and Bled and many other places, too.
February 25 Carnival in Kamnik (details).
24 February to 1 March the Festival of Mountain Film returns. The full programme will eventually be here (not at the time of writing).
March 7: The cutting of the oldest wine producing grape vine in the world will take place in Maribor, at 11am. Details.
March 11: St. Gregory's - Vuč u vodo, an event in which local children float their miniature houses down the Tržič Bistrica. The programme is enriched by an exhibition of the "gregorčki" houses lasting several days and numerous accompanying events.
March 14 – 15: Kranjska Gora will host the men's World Cup slalom and giant slalom races. Tickets.
March 20 – 21: The International Chilli and Chocolate Festival in Maribor will bring sweetness and spice, with details here.
March 19–22: Perhaps the sporting event of the year for Slovenian viewers, the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Finals, in Planica, Kranjska Gora. Tickets.
