Ljubljana

Best of Ljubljana Festivals

04 Oct 2023
When it comes to hosting events the Slovene capital boasts a cultural calendar that would be the envy of much larger cities. From film, theatre, music and performing arts festivals to important regional fairs and conferences to cutting edge fashion and design exhibitions there is definitely something for everyone virtually every month of the year. These festivals infuse life into Ljubljana's vibrant streets, offering a taste of Slovenia's rich culture, music, art, and gastronomy. 

Here at In Your Pocket we of course have our own favourites, but we love to know what our readers (both local and foreign) enjoy. Choose your favourite from the list below to vote!

LIFFe - Ljubljana International Film Festival

The two-week festival is the undisputed highlight of the year for Slovene cinephiles and is guaranteed to offer a dizzying selection of films from around the world and across all genres. It's also the best chance during the year for non-Slovene speakers to see international films subtitled in English. Venues include Ljubljana's two main independent cinemas, Kinoteka and Kinodvor, Cankarjev Dom, the Kino Šiška Urban Cultural Centre and the Kolosej multiplex in BTC. Read more...
Ljubljana International Film Festival

 

Ljubljana Festival

The summer Ljubljana Festival is easily the country's premier cultural event each year, with nearly three months of classical music concerts, opera and ballet events, theatrical performances and much more. The invited artists are both international and Slovene, and frequently include some of the most prestigious names in the world of music and performing arts. Read more...
 
Ljubljana Festival

 

Druga Godba Music Festival

Druga Godba music festival was the first in this part of Europe to present African, Arab and Latin-American artists, long before the boom in world music at the end of the 1980s. Druga Godba was also the first in the former Yugoslavia to promote reggae and the world music genres in general. Since then, the festival has developed into a full blown arts festival, offering a range of parallel events, such as street animation and concerts, musical workshops, childrens' events, exhibitions, film screenings and lectures. Read more...
 

Druga Godba

Biennale of Graphic Arts

The artistic director of the biennale Ibrahim Mahama and the curatorial team (Exit Frame collective, Alicia Knock, Selom Koffi Kudjie, Inga Lace, Beya Othmani and Patrick Nii Okanta) have invited artists and collectives from Africa, Europe and beyond who work in the fields of graphics, film, installation and performance, and which, in addition to their existing ones, will also present new works created especially for the biennale. Graphic works from the archive of the biennale will also be exhibited, which will serve as a diary that reveals traces of important meetings and workshops in the field of graphics, film and other media. Read more...
Biennale of Graphic Arts

Animateka

Animateka is an international festival focusing on high-quality original animated film. Every December, in three competition programs, it presents a top production of short animated films from Central and Eastern Europe, the most original European student films and carefully selected international films for children and teenagers. It also presents various special programs every year. Read more...
Animateka
 

Slovenia Wine Festival

One of Slovenia’s largest food and wine-related events now takes place at Cankarjev Dom, bringing together a broad range of participants and attendees from the industry, media and interested consumers. It aims to raise awareness of Slovenian wine and food - especially in younger people - and help facilitate business partnerships among producers, caterers and wholesalers, as well as offer new opportunities for development of this vibrant part of the local culture and economy. Read more...
Slovenia Wine Festival
 

November Gourmet Ljubljana

November sees Ljubljana taking over the role of the gastronomic capital of Slovenia. Enjoy a whole month of gastronomic events from wine tasting to food tours to special menus in restaurants around the city. There’ll be talks and events featuring special guest chefs, experts from the Slovene wine industry and several small festivals inside the larger one. Read more...
Gourmet Ljubljana
 

LUVFest

At various locations around Ljubljana you will be able to experience LUV in its full meaning from February 8, when we commemorate France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, until March 12, when the birds get married. During the month of love, both they and you will be able to rest your eyes on the light elements throughout Ljubljana which will join the old and the young, create unforgettable memories by taking photos at photo spots around the city, read more...
LUVFest

Ana Desetnica

The Ana Desetnica international street theatre festival, is held at various outdoor venues across Ljubljana and brings together a large number of street artistes, clowns, circus performers, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire-eaters, musicians, 'provocateurs', dancers and actors from Slovenia and abroad, including world famous street theatre groups. Read more...
 
Ana Desetnica

Jazz Festival Ljubljana

The Ljubljana Jazz Festival is a harmonious fusion of history and rhythm and has been enchanting music lovers since 1960, when it first began over in Bled and stayed for seven years before moving to Ljubljana. After a couple of decades at the Križanke the festival relocated again, and has called Cankarjev dom home since 1982. The festival's long history boasts some legendary performers like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, making it a must-visit for jazz enthusiasts. With its timeless melodies and iconic line-up, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival strikes a resonant chord, celebrating the enduring magic of jazz in a mesmerizing setting. Read more about this year's event here.

Return to Best of Ljubljana Culture

See all of Best of Ljubljana 2023 winners here.

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