FESTIVALS
Lovestream with star-studded line-up
The Lovestream festival is back, once again bringing world-famous musicians to Slovakia. This year’s edition is headlined by rapper and songwriter Post Malone, making his first appearance in the country, alongside pop-rock band OneRepublic, singer-songwriter Becky Hill, and many more. The festival takes place from Friday to Sunday at the old airport site in Bratislava-Vajnory. Tickets are still available. Find out more about the event here, including how to get there.
To Piešťany, but for theatre
This weekend, Piešťany in western Slovakia will transform into a giant stage as the Piešťanské Zábaly theatre festival returns for its second edition. Eleven venues across the town will host more than 60 performances and events, offering something for audiences of all ages. Tickets are available for individual shows, and a free shuttle bus will help visitors get around. Click here to find out more.
Dance, dance, dance
The town of Námestovo in northern Slovakia is currently hosting the Tanečno international dance festival. Since 2017, the event has brought professional dancers from around the world to showcase their skills and teach audiences of all ages. This year’s line-up includes more than 20 performances by dancers from Norway, France, Sweden, Czechia, and other countries, alongside Slovak talent. While some shows have already taken place, there’s still plenty to see and learn until Sunday evening, with many performances in public spaces. Tickets and programme details are available here.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Modern music, old place
The popular Večer na Hradbách (Evening on the Ramparts) returns for the second time this summer on Friday evening. From 18:00, the ramparts beside St Martin’s Cathedral will host illusionists, followed by two electronic music concerts. Admission is free. Learn more here.
Modern music, even older place
Fancy an unusual mix of electronic music and castle ruins? Don’t miss Sun(DJ)set, taking place this Saturday evening at Devín Castle and featuring DJ Vesnu, who will perform a set blending techno, tech house, and nu-disco. Tickets are available in advance at a reduced price, or on site. Click here for more details.
A new culinary record?
From Friday to Sunday, the centre of Topoľčany in the Nitra Region will host a fair — with a twist. Organisers will attempt to cook the largest potato pancake in Slovak history, which means it will have to measure at least 115 centimetres in diameter to beat the current record. Around 15 kilograms of potatoes, 5 litres of oil, 3 kilograms of flour, 30 eggs, salt, spices, and a secret ingredient will go into the batter. The town is no stranger to culinary records: in 2022 it produced Slovakia’s largest lokša, in 2023 the largest omelette, and in 2024 the most bowls of semolina porridge. And if that’s not tempting enough, TasteAtlas has ranked Slovak potato pancakes among the world’s top ten potato dishes. Click here for the programme.
Become the captain
On Sunday, inventive and adventurous boat builders will gather at Bratislava’s Veľký Draždiak lake in Petržalka for the return of the Veľká Vlna Fantázie (Big Fantasy Wave) competition. What’s it all about? If you’ve ever wondered whether your boat idea will actually float, this is your chance to find out. Bring along your family, friends, or colleagues and see how long you can stay dry. The evening will feature concerts by Le Payaco and Ventolin. Find out more about the programme here.
Not your usual sports
In the mood for football? Not quite? How about water football? On Sunday, the town of Spišská Belá near the High Tatras will host a special event devoted to unusual sports and activities, including bumperbelly, spikeball, kinball, and volcage. Never heard of them? You’ll find out more here.
Movies under the stars
The three-day Kinematograf open-air film festival returns to Trnava this weekend, bringing screenings to Trojičné Námestie square in the town centre. On Friday, enjoy Mord, a black comedy about a family gathering where everything that can go wrong, does. On Saturday, More na Dvore offers a light-hearted reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. On Sunday, the period drama Vlny tells the story of Czechoslovak journalists fighting for freedom in the turbulent year of 1968. The best part is that screening is completely free.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
August 16: Learn how to play the fujara flute workshop in Banská Bystrica
August 16-17: Nitrianske Hody fair in Nitra
August 16-17: Pottery, wood-carving and jewellery making in Vlkolínec
August 16-17: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Budatín Castle
August 17, 24, 31: Trnava Organ Days festival
August 23-24: Grand Prix of Slovakia 2025
August 28-31: Kremnické Gagy humour and satire festival in Kremnica
August 28-31: The Bardejov fair
August 29-30: Uprising music festival in Bratislava
August 30: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Ľupča Castle
August 30: Grand Finale at the Fountain: DJ sets in Bratislava
August 31: Grand Finale at the Fountain: Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava
BEFORE YOU GO :
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: From lakeside concerts to puppet theatre and historic film.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Straight from a small Slovak village to the global music charts.
WHAT TO TRY: The Slovak section of EuroVelo 13, aka the Iron Curtain Trail, offers more than just a bike ride – it’s a journey into Europe’s memory and its human stories.
WHAT TO READ: Mário Boroš, 59, has been part of the Slovak education system for 36 years – the equivalent of roughly 30,000 hours of teaching subjects. His wife, Martina, 46, a biology, geography, and English teacher, has been teaching for 25 years. They decided to leave Slovakia.
WHAT TO LEARN: Under Velvet Revolution Square in Bratislava lies an ossuary lined with hundreds of skulls – a medieval reminder of the city’s long, layered history.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: The extension of the tram line in Petržalka brings more than faster connections – unexpected finds can be had at every new stop.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Head to a few concerts, enjoy ballet and get a good deal at a bazaar.
That’s it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
