Don’t miss a unique ethnographic experience that offers a valuable insight into colorful carnival traditions from near and far!
On the streets and squares of Ptuj, you will be accompanied by numerous traditional carnival characters, such as Kurents/Korants, spearmen, ploughmen, rusa, piceki, bears and many more.
The handover of power will also take place during the procession.
The parade will feature 2,456 participants (81 groups and associations), including:
• 39 groups and associations of Kurents and Korants (1,112 participants),
• 28 ethnographic groups and associations from Ptuj and the surrounding area (1,007 participants),
• 11 ethnographic groups and associations from other parts of Slovenia (265 participants),
• 3 international groups from Croatia (72 participants).
After the parade, join us for a party with the band Zlata žila and a DJ, as well as at Carnival Frolicking for children (after the parade, approximately between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.).
The opening ethnographic parade is held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO.
VISIT PTUJ SUSTAINABLY:
Visit Ptuj sustainably – by train or by bus. Around town, you can take the free city bus or walk.
You can find the parking areas here.
People with disabilities can park on the Ulica heroja Lacka parking lot (behind the Minorite Monastery) on the day of the Ethnographic Parade. They can watch the parade in front of the Minorite Monastery. The number of spots is limited.
Information about road closures during Kurentovanje can be found here.
A FEW MORE TIPS FOR THE DAY:
- Souvenirs can be purchased at the Ptuj Tourist Information Center (including Kurent wine Mistik), at the Kurent House, Ptuj Castle, Skrinjica Unikatov shop, Art Shop Rudolph, and the Art Atelje Studio.
- Ptuj carnival doughnuts can be bought at Glavni trg (markerplace), at Ptujske Pekarne Bakery, at cafes, in restaurants, and at other bakeries.
- Specialty carnival cuisine can be tasted at the Pri Tonetu Inn, the Pomaranča Restaurant, and the Amadeus Restaurant.
- Between 9 AM and 4 PM, there will be an Ex Tempore Art Symposium.
- Between 10 AM and 4 PM, you can join carnival museum workshops at the Ptuj Castle.
- Carnival cinema invites children at 10 AM to the Ptuj City Cinema for a screening of Hola, Frida and a paiting workshop.
- Between 7 and 17 February at the Grand Hotel Primus, you can see a Philatelic exhibition on the occasion of the 66th Kurentovanje in Ptuj.
- Ptuj – Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe 2026 – also invites you to visit Ptuj Castle, the Kurent House, the Ptuj City Tower, the the Flavours of Ptuj, the boutique wine shops, restaurants, cafes, and shops and the Terme Ptuj Resort.
- If you want to explore the oldest Slovenian town with a tour guide, you can book a guided tour at +386 2 779 60 11 or at info@visitptuj.eu.
- At 9 PM, Severina and Buryana will perform at the Carnival Hall.
PARADE ROUTE
PARADE ORDER
- PTUJ BRASS ORCHESTRA
- JAKOB VOLOVŠEK, CAPTAIN OF DESTRNIK, 20th Carnival Prince
- KURENTS AND KORANTS
- WHIP-CRACKERS Tržec, Pobrežje, Župečja vas
- SPEARMEN Markovci
- THE FAIRIES Markovci
- COCKERELS KUD Baron
- PLOUGHMEN Mali Okič, Podlehnik, Lancova vas, Okič
- JÜREK and RABOLJ Dolena
- BEARS Nagošejnci
- CIRKOVCE LOG-HAULERS Cirkovce
- POBREŽJE DANCERS Pobrežje
- THE OLD WOMAN CARRYING THE OLD MAN AND WINE-MAKERS Soviče-Dravci
- PLOUGHMEN Markovci, Skorba, Leskovec, Kicar
- MINERS AND LINTVORTS Sodinci
- SERFS Spuhlja
- PRINCE'S MERCHANTS Spuhlja
- GYPSIES ED Cigani Dornava, TED Lükari Dornava
- ŠJME VRBOVO Ilirska Bistrica
- PUSTARJI Grgarske Ravne
- LIŠKI PUSTJE Kanal ob Soči
- SEVSKI POTECINI Selšček
- OBRŠKI PRUTARJI Dobova
- BUTALCI AND WITCHES Cerknica
- KOŠI ŠOŠTANJSKI Šostanj
- MOZIRJE CARNIVAL Mozirje
- KRAMPUSI ANKENSTEIN Cirkulane
- WITCHES FROM RESENIK Žetale
- KUNGOŠKI PARKLI Kungota
- BARANJSKE BUŠE Baranja–Croatia
- BREŽANSKI ZVONČARI Matulji–Hrvaška
- SRAKARSKI ZVONČARI Sračinec–Croatia