Music and dance you’ll never forget
Slovakia, in the very heart of Europe, has always been a crossroads of cultural influences from the whole continent. Slovakia will surprise you with a wide range of musical genres performed at surprising locations and on surprising occasions. Consider these four fabulous music festivals for your bucket list.
Best medium-sized festival in Europe
The biggest Slovak event, the Pohoda Festival, confirmed its place among the top festivals in Europe when it won in the Best Medium-Sized Festival category at the most prestigious European Festival Awards 2023. This year, the iconic rock band Queens of the Stone Age, one of the best female DJs Peggy Gou, legendary rapper Skepta, and drum&bass smash group Pendulum and many more will make sure your ears are happy. The Pohoda program will also offer theatrical performances, a program for children, workshops and accompanying program.
Save the date: 11.-13 of July 2024 I Location: Airport Trenčín
Let´s celebrate music!
Every summer cobbled medieval streets as well as public gardens and parks in the Slovak capital are filled with enchanting music from world-class musicians. Enjoy uncommon musical delights at VIVA MUSICA! It´s the most important and internationally recognized summer music festival in Bratislava, full of classical music with all its sounds and hues. Celebrating its magic 20th anniversary in 2024, in the course of two months it offers visitors 13 unique concerts by more than 100 talented artists. VIVA MUSICA! strives to present classical music in a non-traditional way, in non-traditional places and in non-traditional contexts. VIVA MUSICA! offers an uncommon way to explore Bratislava.
Save the date: July-August 2024, in Bratislava
A festival like Burning Man
Another well-known festival with a completely different vibe is the Grape Festival, repeatedly ranked among the top best small-sized festivals in Europe. This one stands out for its large installations, reminiscent of the famous Burning Man in the USA. The 18th edition will please all art lovers, with big art installations all over the place, a few haunted houses, and artists including Tom Odell, Charlotte de Witte and Michael Kiwanuka. This is just a fragment of all the spectacular fun that awaits!
Save the date: August 9-10, 2024, at the Trenčín Airport
Folk traditions at Východná
Slovakia’s rich folk traditions are a delight, from breathtaking traditional folk costumes to amazing music and dance performances. Visit the beautiful village of Východná near the High and Low Tatras in early July for an authentic Slovakian experience at the Folklórny festival Východná. The oldest and greatest traditional folk culture festival in Slovakia, during its 69-year tradition, it has contributed greatly to the revival, preservation and presentation of Slovak culture. Programs of music, dance, and song, as well as creative workshops for all ages are on offer.
Save the date: July 4-7, 2024, in Východná, near Liptovský Mikuláš
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Discover rich cultural heritage of Slovakia – from folk costumes to dance and music. Amazing folk traditions from Podpoľanie takes your breath away.
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One of the best festivals in Europe is regularly visited by ten thousands of visitors annually. Apart from music you can attend interesting workshops, theatre, dance performances and many more. Oh, and don´t forget about the food!
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Discover slovak capital – Bratislava through music. For example, you can listen to famous musicians in the oldest park in Central Europe, Sad Janka Kráľa.
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Another unusual spot to enjoy classics – Bratislava´s City Hall during VIVA MUSICA! festival.
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Grape festival is one of its kind thanks to its visual art installation and artistic performances.
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Come to the airport in Trenčín at the beginning of August and feel like being on a Burning Man.
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Come to know slovak traditional folk music and dance on a spectacular festival in pitoresque village of Východná close to High and Low Tatras.
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Lúčnica - the most famous Slovak folk ensemble – Lúčnica – achieved success on the stages of more than 60 countries worldwide thanks to its original, artistically exquisite and genuine performance
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Fujara – long wooden pipe belongs to slovak national heritage and due to its uniqueness is protected by UNESCO. It was developed by shepherds as a means of communication between their huts.
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