Ljubljana events and What's on 2011

Ljubljana is burstling with the cultural entertainment for its people and also enjoyed by tourists where the language is not a barrier. During the summer, the streets of Ljubljana are daily changes into small markets, street theaters and concerts venues. There is a number of cinemas, galleries and museums to keep you entertained all year long.

Alpe-Adria: Tourism and Leisure Show
27. - 30. January
Location: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

Wine Fair 2011
7. – 10. February
Location: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

The Visages of Brazil Festival of Remote Culture
4. March - 7. July
Brazilian film, photography, theatre and music. Location: Cankarjev Dom.

Pustni Karneval (The Shrovetide) 2011
5. March
To scare away winter, every year in February Carnivals take place all around the country and on Ljubljana streets as well. The main day is Shrove Tuesday. People put on masks and with competitions for the best one, parties usually last till morning. You can find big variety of them – from traditional to modern and very original ones. Do not forget to get yourself some donuts.

Red Dawns Festival 2011
8. - 11. March
International feminist and queer festival takes place at Metelkova Mesto.
www.rdecezore.org/?l=2011&lang=en

50th International Home Fair
8. March – 13. March
Location: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

Stories Today 2011, 14th storytelling festival
13. – 26. March
Actors, writers, personal storytellers, musicians and researchers will make the 13th festival possible again. Appropriate for listeners of all ages. The festival takes place in Cankarjev dom. Mostly in Slovenian language.

Ljubljana International SweetSwing festival 2011
17. Mar – 20. Mar
Dance workshops and performances will take place on numerous locations.
www.lssf.si/en/

Henri de Tulouse-Lautrec, exhibition
17. Mar – 13. Aug
Cultural and historical exhbition takes place in Cankarjev dom.

International Puppet Day
21. March
On the day you can join and see any performance of Puppet Theatres for free, since this is the day when they open their door to honor puppetry art and to make it more recognized.

13th International Festival of Documentary Film
23. – 28. March
The festival opens issues of a documentary film and its influence to society and human rights. Various venues.

Collecta
25. March - 27. March
Collections of numismatists, philatelists, phone cards, fossils and minerals, antiquities and other things from all over the world. Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

26th Slovenian Musical Days
4. April – 7. April
Performances of classical music works of contemporary Slovenian composers will be held on numerous locations in Ljubljana and Portoroz..

International Festival of Mountain Film
10. April – 14. April
The festival presents up to 40 Slovenian and foreign productions of mountain theme, followed by presentations of books, photography and discussions. It takes place in Cankarjev Dom.

Fabula 2011, Short Story Festival
12. April – 22. April
Short story as a genre is taken as art. The event will gather a number of home and international renowned authors: Cesar Aira, Niccolo Amanniti, Christoph Ransmayr, Drago Jancar, Margriet de Moor, Per Olov Enquist. The event will be held on several locations in the city center. Ptuj and Maribor as well.
www.festival-fabula.org/2011/eng/

Ljubljana World Book Capital
23.4. 2010 – 23.4.2011
In a time of one year Ljubljana will host numerous events related to books.

Wire Path Walk
6. May
During the WW2 Ljubljana was the only city in Europe, which was encircled by a barbed wire and thus had a status of a city concentration camp. The reason for the barbed wire was the fact, that Ljubljana had one of the best resistance movements in Europe. Nazis were never able to find and uncover it. For the memory of those dreadful and brave times, an every – year walk is organized by the track of the wire. Usually it happens around 9th May, when Ljubljana was liberated in 1945. The longest track is 35 km.
www.pohod.si

63nd Annual concert of France Marolt Academic Folklore Group
7. May
Traditional dances in Cankarjev dom.
www.marolt.si

SKIS Market
11. May
It is one of the biggest student fiestas. Student clubs from all over Slovenia gather at one place, presenting their local particularities, including food, drinks and sights. Concerts and food and drinks stands bring the event to a celebration, lasting until late hours. If you are a student or eager to meet Slovenian ones or just feel like a party, this is a must. Usually it is located at Ilirija Stadium by the Tivoli Park.
www.skisova-trznica.si

International Day of Museums
18. May
It is the day when museums prepare special program to characterize the significance of institutions that sustain collection of artifacts connected to the nation`s history and its heritage. It is worth using the day for museums. No entrance fee.

Graduation Parade
End of May
The tradition of dancing quadrille at the prom at the end of four-year secondary education moved to the streets in 2001. At first in Ljubljana only, later in other Slovenian cities as well and recently as an international project, pupils have broken the Guinness World Record in synchronous dancing. If you are in Ljubljana at the time, you will not regret it. The show is big and to see so many young people dancing simultaneously is an absolutely marvelous sight.

Druga Godba, 27th International music festival
7. May - 14. May
“Druga Godba” is an annual very well visited music festival for those, who prefer different, alternative or ethno. Performers from all over the world, including Africa, South Amerika and Asia, are introduced at locations with special atmosphere, like open-air Krizanke or Metelkova Mesto, the alternative quarter of the city. For more info about program and tickets check their web page.
www.drugagodba.si/en

18th Living Literature Festival
June
For the purpose of popularization of literature and promotion of young writers, the festival remains special for the combination of music and word. It is taken from inside to the streets into hands of people. More specifically - in front of the SKUC Galery at Stari trg. No fee.
www.skuc.org

Museum Summer Night
June
It is the day, when museums and galleries open their door out of office hours until late in the evening, offering guides, workshops, video presentations, concerts, lectures etc. Entrance to every museum is free of charge.

52th Ljubljana Jazz Festival
29. Jun – 2. July
In 6 days of the festival famous names of international and Slovenian jazz are presented. The stage is located at Cankarjev Dom and Krizanke, the open air theatre. Tickets can be bought at Hard Rock music shop on Trubarjeva street 40 as well.
www.ljubljanajazz.si

Ana Desetnica, Street theatre festival
30. June – 3. July
It is international festival of a street theatre that takes place on several locations in the city center. At the time streets of Ljubljana work as one big theater.
www.anadesetnica.org

Mini Summer, International puppet festival
International puppet and theater festival for children is sponsored by Mini Theatre, happening mainly at Ljubljana Castle, though other locations as well. Theaters from all over Europe present their plays, some for adults too.
www.mini-teater.si

Festival Ljubljana
1. July – 31. August
The trademark of Festival Ljubljana represents some of the most important and recognized annual events happening from the start of July till the end of August. International philharmonic orchestra concerts, open-air cinema, fine arts colony, opera, ballet, theatre and 59 years of tradition give this festival high artistic value and credibility. For program and more information check their web page.
www.ljubljanafestival.si

Let`s meet in front of SKUC
July
Near the Well of Hercules on Gornji trg you can witness many theater, literary, musical and dancing presentations, making the old part of town even more catchy. With workshops for children and a market of books and artistic works, everyone can find something for himself. No fee.
www.skuc.org

Trnfest 2011
August
Trnfest is a festival which takes place every year during the whole month of August. Various concerts, theatres, musical or video performances are held outside on the street and thus free of charge. Location: Quarter Trnovo. Just ask locals where to go, because it's difficult to find.
www.kud.si

Young Lions 2011 - International Festival of Theatre and Dance
August
Presentation of theatre and dance artists from all over the world is set mainly at the location of Stara elektrarna, Slomskova ulica 18, though on other locations as well. For details and program see their web page.
www.bunker.si

Emona Promenade 2011
Last week of August
Street festival. Performances of groups and solo artists from different countries. Location: Trnovo Bridge and Emonska ulica.
www.kud.si

The Old Town Nights
End of August
As traditional enclosure of the “Summer in the Old Town of Ljubljana” festival, it symbolically represents an ending of summer beats of the city. During the 5 days the entire Old Town breathes various kinds of art, food, drinks and concerts of usually rock, classical and ethno music.

Screenings of matches at the European Basketbal Championship 2011 in Lithuania
Aug - Sep
Screenings will take place on the squares of the city and numerous bars as well. Slovenia qualified in group D with Russia, Belgium, Ukraine, Georgia and Bulgaria.

European day of Jewish culture
4. Sep
Location: Židovska ulica and Židovska steza.

Medieval Days
September
The traditional Medieval Days and Festival of Medieval and Renaissance Music will take place on different locations in the city. The main event at the Ljubljana castle will be followed by others at Triple Bridge, Congress Square and City Park. Dancers, musicians, actors, swordsmen and jugglers from Serbia, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia will create an unforgettable medieval experience.
www.mini-teater.si

5th Codelli Classic Cars Festival
Mid Sept
Every year in September good old classic cars revive a memory of vintage Ljubljana.
www.codelli.com

Ex Ponto
2nd half of September
Ex Ponto is an International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Production. It takes place on different locations in the city.
www.exponto.net

Festival Zlata Palicica
10. - 14. October
It is a festival of professional theaters for children and since it is a biennial happens every second year. It is organized and sponsored by Puppet Theatre in Ljubljana. For details and program see their web page.
www.lgl.si

17th Festival: City of Women – international festival of contemporary arts
October
An annual festival offering room to female art and culture is for the 16th time representing artistic productions of women all over the world. The essence of their play, music, literature, visual art and video productions is to point out the wrongful and disproportionate participation of women in culture and life in general. It is taking place on several locations in Ljubljana, usual and alternative ones.
www.cityofwomen.org

Ljubljana Marathon
October
This relatively young European marathon annually attracts thousands of sportsmen. The run starts in the city centre and runs around the Mostec hill. There are three different lengths of route (7, 21 and 42 km). This year already 16th international marathon takes place in Ljubljana.
www.ljubljanskimaraton.si

Ljubljana Wine Route
November
Wine tasting and culinary event on the streets of Lubljana.

Liffe, 22st Ljubljana International Film Festival
November
The Ljubljana International Film Festival has gained its credibility and attraction throughout the years with chosen movies in competition from all over the world. Location: Cankarjev dom.
www.liffe.si

27th Book Fair
November
Book novelties are presented in the cultural atmosphere of Cankarjev dom. For details check their web page.
www.cd-cc.si

Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
26. November – 4. December
Ljubljana Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is the oldest film festival of this kind in Europe. Through decades of economic and political changes it has helped killing myths, calming down emotions, joining people of different believes and building a rightful Europe. 26th in a row is taking place in Slovenska Kinoteka.
www.ljudmila.org/siqrd/fglf/

Day of Culture
3. December
Celebrating birthday of Slovenian greatest poet Dr. France Preseren, 3rd Dec is dedicated to culture. Museums, theatres, galeries, libraries and other cultural institutions open their door and entrance is free.

Holiday Winter Fair
3.December – 2.January
Annually at the start of December Ljubljana gets beautifully decorated and stands offering souvenires, Christmas gifts, foods and drinks are set in the Old Town by the river and at the market place one next to another. At this festive time street concerts, theatres and other events are frequent. For event program visit Tourist Information Office of Ljubljana.

Animateka, 7th animated film festival
December
Location: Kinodvor.
www.animatekafestival.org/

New Year in Ljubljana
31. December
Every year thousands of citizens wait for the New Year on the streets of Ljubljana. Celebrations with concerts take place at different locations in the city center. For program visit Tourist Information Office of Ljubljana.

 

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