The organisation of the Ljubljana Festival encompasses several vibrant festivals throughout the year, each offering a unique musical experience. The Summer Ljubljana Festival is the main event, featuring a rich mix of opera, ballet, theatre, symphonic and chamber concerts, and top national and international performers.
The Winter Festival presents outstanding classical performances with globally acclaimed soloists and orchestras.
Young Virtuosi is dedicated to nurturing talented young musicians from Slovenia and abroad, offering them their first professional stage experiences.
Finally, the Slovenian Music Days focus on contemporary Slovenian music, premiering new works and exploring the national musical heritage through concerts and musicological events. Across all programmes, the festival embraces a wide range of styles and periods—from Baroque to modern—and features both renowned performers and emerging talent.
The Ljubljana Festival also organises international competitions for Brass Quintets and Quartets and for young professional pianists - Piano Competition, promoting top emerging talent and encouraging artistic excellence on a global stage.
Festival venues
The venues of the Ljubljana Festival are located across various parts of the city, depending on the programme and partnerships involved. Most events take place at Križanke, a stunning architectural complex designed by Jože Plečnik, which includes the Križanke Summer Theatre—an open-air venue in the heart of the city. Within the Križanke complex, more intimate events or exhibitions are held in the Knight’s Hall (Viteška dvorana), the Devil’s Courtyard (Peklensko dvorišče), and the Križevniška Church (Križevniška cerkev). In addition, the Festival collaborates with major cultural institutions such as Cankarjev dom, the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Slovenian Philharmonic, and Congress Square (Kongresni trg)—a beautiful historic square that serves as an impressive outdoor stage for large-scale events. All venues are centrally located and easily accessible on foot or via public transport, allowing festivalgoers to move seamlessly between performances.
The festival takes place in the fairytale-like, peaceful, and green capital of Slovenia – Ljubljana.
Križanke is located in the heart of Ljubljana, surrounded by top attractions. Just a short walk away is the iconic Ljubljana Castle, offering stunning city views. Nearby, visitors can explore the charming Old Town, the works of architect Jože Plečnik, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art. For a taste of local culture, Metelkova Mesto showcases vibrant street art and alternative nightlife. The city also boasts a lively culinary and wine scene, with cozy cafés, wine bars, and craft breweries. Nature lovers can enjoy nearby Tivoli Park or take a short trip to Slovenia’s picturesque countryside.
Ljubljana offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to apartment rentals.
Here are a few suggestions from the Ljubljana Festival:
- Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel
- Intercontinental Ljubljana
- Best Western Premier Hotel Slon
- Grand Plaza Hotel
- Occidental Ljubljana
Apartment rentals:
There are no full-service restaurants directly onsite at the main Ljubljana Festival venues, but the city centre offers a wide variety of excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars, all within a short walking distance. Attendees often enjoy exploring local cuisine before or after events, especially in the lively Old Town along the Ljubljanica River. During summer events at the Križanke Summer Theatre, there are outdoor areas where visitors can enjoy a drink or light snack, but bringing a full picnic is not typical. For popular restaurants, especially during festival season, it is advised to book in advance, particularly for evening dining. Most venues are close to late-night spots, though some restaurants may close earlier during the week.
The Ljubljana Festival encourages visitors to dress in a smart or elegant manner, in keeping with the formal nature of many performances. For summer events, particularly those held outdoors, light eveningwear is appropriate, but we recommend bringing a light jacket or shawl, as temperatures can drop in the evening. Sunscreen and an umbrella may come in handy, as the weather in Ljubljana can be changeable. For winter concerts, all venues are well-heated, and guests can comfortably leave their coats in the cloakrooms provided. While there is no strict dress code, the atmosphere generally calls for attire that reflects the cultural and artistic prestige of the events.
Ljubljana Railway Station (Glavna železniška postaja Ljubljana) offers numerous connections to both domestic and international destinations. Environmentally conscious visitors from Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and other nearby countries can take advantage of this well-connected network.
The station is within walking distance (approx. 15–20 minutes) of Križanke, or you can take a city bus (lines 02, 03, 03B, 11, 11B, 19, 19B, 19I, 27, N03, N03B) to the Križanke or Drama stops.
By Air
The main international gateway to Slovenia is Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, served by 22 carriers. From the airport, you can reach the city centre by shuttle (approx. 30 minutes), taxi, or rental car.
In addition, Ljubljana is relatively close to several other international airports:
Trieste Airport (Italy) – 120 km; Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb (Croatia) – 150 km; Venice Marco Polo Airport (Italy) – 230 km; Vienna International Airport (Austria) – 390 km
Ljubljana has an extensive and efficient public bus network. The closest bus stops to Križanke are:
Križanke stop (lines: 02, 03, 03B, 11, 11B, 19, 19B, 19I, 27, N03, N03B)
Drama stop (lines: 01, 01B, 02, 03, 03B, 06, 06B, 09, 11, 11B, 19, 19B, 19I, 27, N03, N03B)
More info
By Car
If visitors arrive by car, they can park in the Šumi Parking Garage or the Congress Square (Kongresni trg) Parking Garage, both located near the festival venues.
By Bike
If visitors wish to come by bicycle, there are bike racks nearby as well as BicikeLJ bicycle parking stations in the vicinity of the festival venues.
