Event Details
Welcome to the 67th Kurentovanje in Ptuj 2027
From 3 to 9 February 2027, Ptuj, Slovenia's oldest town, transforms into the world's largest open-air museum of intangible cultural heritage. The 67th Kurentovanje brings thousands of traditional carnival characters to the cobbled streets and squares of the picturesque old town on the banks of the Drava River. At the heart of the festival is the legendary figure of the Kurent: a horned creature dressed in sheepskin adorned with cowbells, believed since ancient times to chase away winter and summon the arrival of spring. The door-to-door rounds of the Kurents have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2017, making Kurentovanje one of Europe's most significant carnival experiences. Lonely Planet ranks it among the ten best carnivals in the world, alongside Venice, Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.
Highlights
- Kurent's Jump: The mystical opening ritual at midnight on the night of 2 to 3 February, where Kurents don their bells by firelight for the first time
- Day of Kurent and Korant Groups with the official handover of power ceremony on 3 February
- Evening displays of traditional carnival characters on 4 and 5 February from 6:00 PM
- Night Spectacle on 5 February at 8:00 PM featuring a fire show with Krampuses, Kurents and Korants
- International Ex Tempore Ptuj Carnival 2027 Art Award on 6 February
- Saturday Carnival Promenade through the old town on 6 February from 11:00 AM
- Kurent Fair at Novi trg on 6 February
- Children's Carnival Party and Children's Parade on 6 and 8 February
- International Ethnographic and Carnival Parade on 7 February from 12:00 PM with over 800 performers
- Shrove Tuesday celebrations and symbolic Burial of the Carnival on 9 February
Full Program
The official program of the 67th Kurentovanje spans three festival strands: ArtFest, EtnoFest and KarnevalFest. Key dates and events:
- 2/3 February, midnight – KURENT'S JUMP: Kurents put on their bells by firelight and begin chasing away winter.
- 3 February, 6:00 PM – DAY OF KURENT AND KORANT GROUPS with handover of power ceremony.
- 4 February, 6:00 PM – EVENING DISPLAYS of traditional carnival characters.
- 5 February, 6:00 PM – EVENING DISPLAYS of traditional carnival characters.
- 5 February, 8:00 PM – NIGHT SPECTACLE: Fire Show with Krampuses, Kurents and Korants.
- 6 February, 10:00 AM – PTUJ LIONS CLUB CHARITY STEW COOK-OFF.
- 6 February, 10:00 AM – INTERNATIONAL EX TEMPORE PTUJ CARNIVAL 2027 ART AWARD.
- 6 February, 11:00 AM – SATURDAY CARNIVAL PROMENADE through the old town.
- 6 February – KURENT FAIR at Novi trg.
- 6 February, 3:00 PM – CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL PARTY.
- 7 February, 12:00 PM – INTERNATIONAL ETHNOGRAPHIC AND CARNIVAL PARADE: the festival's centerpiece with over 800 performers.
- 8 February, 10:00 AM – CHILDREN'S PARADE.
- 9 February, 12:00 PM – SHROVE TUESDAY celebrations with live music across the town.
- 9 February, 1:00 PM – HANDOVER OF POWER AND BURIAL OF THE CARNIVAL.
The Kurent: Symbol of Spring and UNESCO Heritage
The Kurent (also known as Korant) is the emblem of Ptuj and Slovenia's most iconic carnival character. The full costume, called Kurentija, consists of a sheepskin garment, a mask with a long red tongue, green or red gaiters, heavy cowbells on a chain around the waist and a club wrapped in hedgehog skin. Kurents move through the streets in groups, performing their distinctive stomping dance to drive away evil spirits and cold. A visit from a Kurent is said to bring good luck for the entire year. Alongside the Kurents, dozens of other traditional figures take part in the festival: Kopjaši (spearmen), Cigani (travellers), Orači (ploughmen), Ruse, Medvedi (bears) and many more, representing centuries of regional folk tradition from the Ptuj and Drava fields area.
Tickets & Entry
Kurentovanje is largely a free open-air festival. The parades and street performances throughout the old town are free to attend. Individual events such as masquerade balls or concerts may carry separate entry fees. Up-to-date ticket information is available at kurentovanje.net and at the Ptuj Tourist Information Centre.
Visitor Tips
- Plan your visit around the International Parade on 7 February: this is the single most attended event of the entire festival.
- Ptuj is well connected by train from Ljubljana and Maribor; driving into the town centre during carnival is not recommended.
- Book accommodation in Ptuj and the surrounding region at least three months in advance as the town fills up quickly during Kurentovanje.
- Try traditional Slovenian carnival food: krofi (doughnuts), pogača (flatbread), mulled wine and schnapps from the many street stalls in the old town.
- Pack warm and waterproof clothing: Ptuj in February can be cold and wet.
- Wearing a costume is enthusiastically welcomed and greatly enhances the experience.
- The collection of traditional carnival masks at the Ptuj Regional Museum in the castle is well worth visiting during the festival period.
