Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Slovakia

Grassalkovich Palace, Bratislava
National pride is especially strong in late summer, when Slovaks celebrate National Uprising Day (Aug 29) and Constitution Day (Sept 1).
  • Before planning a trip around a festival, verify the festival dates on the festival's website or with a local tourist information office. For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for Slovakia.
  • Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. Note that this isn't a complete list; holidays can strike without warning.
  • See upcoming holidays and festivals across Europe

2024

December:  Christmas Fair, Bratislava

December–January (likely):  Ice-skating rink on Hviezdoslav Square, Bratislava

December 24–25:  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closures)

December 26:  Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day (closures)

December 31:  New Year's Eve (concerts and fireworks in Bratislava)

2025

January 1:  New Year's Day/Republic Day (closures)

January 6:  Epiphany (closures)

Through January (likely):  Ice-skating rink on Hviezdoslav Square, Bratislava

April 6:  Bratislava Marathon

April 18–21:  Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday; closures); Easter market on Františkánske Square in Bratislava

May 1:  Labor Day (some closures)

May 2–3 (likely):  Bratislava May Festival (concerts along the Danube, fireworks)

May 8:  Liberation Day (commemorates end of World War II; closures)

Mid-June–August:  Tyršák beach, Bratislava (imported sand, beach chairs on the riverbank)

June 19:  Corpus Christi (religious festival; some closures)

July 3–6:  Východná Folklore Festival, west of Levoča

July 5:  Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day (closures)

July–August:  Viva Musica! Festival, Bratislava (classical, jazz, world music, including many street performances)

August 15–17 (likely):  Coronation Days, Bratislava (medieval procession, fencing and falconry demonstrations)

August 29:  National Uprising Day (commemorates uprising against Nazis; closures)

September 1:  Constitution Day (closures)

September 12–13 (likely):  Salamander Fair, northeast of Bratislava in Banská Štiavnica (tribute to Slovakian miners' traditions, with evening parade on Friday)

September 15:  Our Lady of Sorrows Day (closures)

September 19–October 5 (likely):  Bratislava Music Festival (classical concerts, opera, ballet)

October 17–26 (likely):  One World Film Festival, Bratislava (human rights documentaries from around the world)

October 24–26:  Bratislava Jazz Days

November 1:  All Saints' Day/Remembrance Day (religious festival, some closures)

November 17:  Velvet Revolution Anniversary (closures)

December:  Christmas Fair, Bratislava

December–January (likely):  Ice-skating rink on Hviezdoslav Square, Bratislava

December 24–25:  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closures)

December 26:  Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day (closures)

December 31:  New Year's Eve (concerts and fireworks in Bratislava)