Curation program

The carnival season kicks off with an especially mystical event. At midnight the Kurents first don their bells by the fire, and start chasing away the winter and evil.

Artists will capture the carnival feel of Slovenia's oldest town on their canvases.

Don’t miss this unique ethnographic experience, offering a valuable insight into picturesque carnival traditions from near and far. On the streets and squares of Ptuj, you’ll be accompanied by numerous traditional carnival characters such as kurenti/koranti, ploughmen, ruse, piceki, bears, and many others. During the parade, the ceremonial handover of power will take place.

After Carnival Frolicking, experience the Evening Display of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM.

After Carnival Frolicking, experience the Evening Display of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti and other traditional carnival characters, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Javne službe Ptuj d.o.o.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti and other traditional carnival characters, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Cestno podjetje Ptuj d.d.

After Carnival Frolicking, experience the Evening Display of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM.

Every year during Kurentovanje, Wednesday is reserved for the Day of Kurent and Korant Groups. At 6 PM, the Mestni Trg square will be filled by hundreds of horned and feathered Kurents/Korants. Event organizer: Ptuj Public Institute, organizational support: Association of Kurent Societies

After Carnival Frolicking, experience the Evening Display of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti and other traditional carnival characters, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Nova Ljubljanska Banka d.d.

After the fun Carnival Parade, enjoy the Evening Presentation of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM in the Town Square, followed by the Night Spectacle with a fire show, krampusi, kurenti, and koranti at 7 PM. After the Night Spectacle, the evening will be enlivened by the Young Ptuj muziCARJI.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti and other traditional carnival characters, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Talum Kidričevo d.d.

At the Kurent Fair, you can enjoy culinary delights throughout the day.

Award ceremony for the winners of the International Ex-tempore Ptuj Carnival 2026 Art Prize and the opening of the exhibition of their current works during the 66th Kurentovanje. The exhibition of the winners and finalists will be on display at the Magistrate Gallery and the Small Gallery of the Ptuj City Gallery from February 9 to 27.

Carnival is deeply rooted in the life of the city of Ptuj. Take this unique opportunity to put on a carnival costume and join the parade with townspeople, Romans, medieval merchants, kurenti, koranti, and many other carnival characters.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Perutnina Ptuj d.o.o.

We invite all children to come to the town centre and join the largest outdoor carnival ball in costumes and masks!

The night has its own power - even for the carnival! It will attract many mysterious characters to the carnival-decorated streets of Ptuj and conjure up a spectacular play of darkness and light.

From 10 AM until 6 PM, Kurentova Market at the Main Square invites you to enjoy a variety of culinary offerings, souvenirs, a fair, and lively activities for the whole family. Between 4 PM and 6 PM, don’t miss the Carnival Parade with additional entertainment for children.

Reserve your time today for the highlight of Kurentovanje! The streets and squares of Ptuj will be filled with a procession of thousands of carnival masks and traditional characters, telling stories of the past, the future, and the present. After the parade, enjoy a party with the Carnival Band and a DJ at the Town Square, along with Carnival ringarajanja.

Children's carnival parade organized together with Ptuj Kindergarten, and attended by children aged 3–6 from all over Slovenia who summon the spring walking through the streets of the oldest Slovenian town. Entry to the Carnival Hall allowed only to participating children and kindergarten staff.

After Carnival Frolicking, experience the Evening Display of Traditional Carnival Characters, which begins at 6 PM.

An opportunity to get up close to the kurenti, experience their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening presentations are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. Event patron: Zavarovalnica Triglav d.d.

In Ptuj, saying farewell to carnival is a particularly festive occasion. At noon, we put work aside and join the celebrations in the city. Take part in a unique urban carnival that continues into the evening. Entertainment is provided by Recesija Band and a DJ. The symbolic handover of power with the burial of the carnival figure takes place at 1 PM. At the Kurent Fair, you can enjoy culinary delights throughout the day.

An opportunity to get up close to the Kurents and other traditional carnival characters, feel their mystique, and learn about their rituals. The evening displays are held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO.

Don’t miss the diverse family activities, including an inflatable playground and face painting. You can also enjoy sweet treats and warm drinks. Between 2 PM and 6 PM, join the Carnival Parade with additional animation points and fun games with entertainers.