The summer may be over, but the event season in Maribor is not—here are some of the top events to visit this autumn
The heat has passed and the days grow shorter, but autumn brings its own charms to the table. This is the season of harvest, and a season for all lovers of good wine and beer and traditional local cuisine. Sports events take advantage of the pleasantly warm days, and theatre enthusiasts are in for a treat in October.
Old Vine Festival
September 13th—September 22nd, various locations
Dedicated to the oldest vine in the world that still bears fruit, the Old Vine Festival is currently in full swing. Various wine tastings, tours, and culinary events celebrate the long winemaking tradition of our region and invite visitors to discover Maribor with all of their senses. The festival ends with the traditional harvest of the Old Vine, which is accompanied by concerts and plenty of traditional Slovenian cuisine. More about the Old Vine, the festival, and the full programme can be found here.
The harvest of the Old Vine. Photo: Ciril Ambrož. Source: www.slovenia.info.
Beer Fest Maribor
September 27th—September 28th, Glavni trg
For the fifth year in a row, Maribor’s main square will become the place to be for all beer lovers. The idea behind this festival is simple: to say goodbye to summer in the best possible way, in good company and with a pint in your hand. Both Slovenian and foreign beers will vie for your attention. Don’t worry, food has not been forgotten either—there will be plenty to go with the beer. More information about the event is available here.
Sport Festival
September 23rd—September 27th, Trg Leona Štuklja
If you’re looking for a good opportunity to have some active fun for the whole family, look no further. This event lets children and families try their hand at various different sports activities and attempts to show the positive impact sports can have on our lives. Also included is the project Žogarija 2019, an international project dedicated to improving the quality of children’s lives through football. More about the project can be found here.
Nightly Sprint on Kalvarija
October 4th, the stairs to Kalvarija
The 10th nightly sprint on Kalvarija is a short and simple event. All you have to do is run up the 454 stairs that lead to the top. If you want to break the current record, you’ll have to complete this 210 m track in less than a minute and 44 second. This time has remained undefeated for the past seven years, so get ready to run.
The sprint is suitable for both children and adults. They compete in several categories based on age. More information here.
The shortest path to Kalvarija leads up 454 stairs.
Špricer Fest
October 11th, Trg Svobode
Some people say spritzer was the first Slovenian cocktail. Be that as it may, there is no denying that spritzer is an extremely popular drink. The classic Slovenian spritzer is made of white wine and the most popular brand of sparkling water, Radenska. Špricer fest offers a bit more variety than that, and plenty of food for good measure. More about the organiser and the event here.
Maribor Theatre Festival
October 14th—October 27th, SNG Maribor
Maribor Theatre Festival, known to the locals as Borštnikovo srečanje, is the most important theatre festival in Slovenia. Join us in the second half of October and watch the best Slovenian productions take the stage in hopes of winning one—or more—of the various prizes awarded at the end of the festival. If you can’t understand a word of Slovenian and still want to enjoy the festival, keep a lookout for the international part of the program: Maribor Theatre Festival regularly hosts international performances, guest producers and performers, and symposia.
More about the Maribor Theatre Festival here.
SNG Maribor houses Slovenia's most important theatre festival.
Teden otroka
October 7th—October 11th, Glavni trg
Teden otroka or children’s week is a week full of workshops, events, seminars, and other activities for children and their parents. This project is organised every year on the national level and aims to provide diverse options for children to spend their free time. All events and activities are free of charge. More about the organiser here.
St. Martin's Day Celebration
November 11th, Glavni trg
The celebration that takes place in Maribor on Sr. Martin’s Day is the biggest public St. Martin’s Day celebration in the country. As many as 20,000 visitors gather in the old centre to pay tribute to autumn and celebrate the saint who turns must into wine. The celebration includes a procession of the wine queen, harvesters, folklorists, rafters, and representatives from various wine organisations. A ceremonial blessing of must takes place. The event is accompanied by live music and plenty of food and drink from local restaurants and nearby vineyards. For more information on the event, click here.
St,. Martin's Day celebration in Maribor. Photo: Marko Pigac. Source: www.slovenia.info.
Do you like the sound of these? Then you know what to do in Maribor this autumn.