Reserve your time today for the highlight of Kurentovanje!
The streets and squares of Ptuj will be flooded with a parade of thousands of carnival masks and traditional characters, telling stories of the past, the future, and the present.
The parade will feature 3,584 participants (84 groups and associations), including:
- 36 groups and associations of Kurents and Korants (1,041 participants),
- 18 ethnographic groups and associations from Ptuj and the surrounding area (845 participants),
- 21 carnival groups (1,379 participants), including 15 competitive carnival groups (934 participants),
- 10 international groups from Germany, Bulgaria, France, Belgium, Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, and Croatia (251 participants).
During the parade, a multitude of hot-air balloons will fly over the city.
After the parade, a party with the Karneval Band and a DJ will follow at the Town Square.
From 10 AM to 6 PM, you are invited to the Kurent Fair At Glavni trg square (marketplace), where alongside culinary offerings you can also find souvenirs, a fair, and a variety of activities for the whole family.
Between 4 and 6 PM, don't miss the Carnival Frolicking with enriched activities for children.
The International Carnival Parade is held under the honorary patronage of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO.
VISIT PTUJ SUSTAINABLY:
Visit Ptuj sustainably – by train or bus. Around town, use the free city bus or walk. More here.
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 International Carnival 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:
- 10.30–13.30 // Workshop: painting Kurent handkerchiefs and face-painting, Ptuj City Tower
- 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 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 – vabi tudi v Pokrajinski muzej Ptuj – Ormož na Ptujski grad, 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.
PARADE ROUTE
GROUP ORDER
– coming soon –