Bucharest Events and Festivals

New Years Day: the first day of the New Year is celebrated with the same enthusiasm by residents of Bucharest as it is anywhere in the world that follows the Gregorian calendar. Locals get together with family and friends, reflect on the year gone by and make resolutions for the year ahead.

Bucharest International Film Festival: feature-length movies, short films, animations and documentaries from directors across the globe are showcased in this week-long event that is popularly attended by locals, out-of-town and international visitors. Films air at a number of different theatre venues.

Bucharest of Old Festival: Bucharest attempts to recapture some of the essence and spirit of life in the city as it was 200 centuries back. Expect to see street parades in which participants don traditional 19th century costume and make their way across the city in horse-drawn carriages. Traditional food is served and old fashioned music is performed also.

Gay Fest: Bucharest’s answer to the gay pride festival is its annual ‘Gayfest’ celebrations which are attended by the city’s resident gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual population. The festival kicks off with a typical pride parade and is followed by parties, dance and theatre performances, movie showings and art exhibitions.

EuropaFest: the biggest musical event in the country is held annually in Bucharest and comprises a variety of performances by big names from musical genres such as jazz, blues and pop. Held at the Royal Palace, the festival runs for one week during which time over 300 musicians perform live. The highlight of the event is the Gala Evening on the last night of the festival.

Bucharest Street Music Festival: Bucharest’s Old City district is the setting for this week-long event which sees musicians attempt to capture a sense of the city’s history and heritage through performances of old-fashioned medieval music pieces.

Craftsmen's Fair: beginning in June and running on into July, the annual Craftsmen's Fair is held at the Village Museum and presents a variety of interesting displays of the traditional hand skills of Romanian craftsmen.

Johann Strauss International Festival: running for oneweek and attracting large numbers of visitors, the annual Johann Strauss International Festival is held at various city venues and is a celebration of the work of this famous composer. Organ and opera recitals and classical concerts are presented by musicians from Romania, Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom.

George Enescu Festival: held for a little over three weeks from the beginning of the month, the George Enescu Festival is a biennial event staged in tribute to the country’s most famous composer. A competition is the highlight of the event and sees entries from both performers and composers hoping to win the coveted title and significant cash prizes. Events are staged in City Square and an exhibition about George Enescu is held at the National Museum.

International Jazz Festival: spanning an 11-day period, Bucharest’s International Jazz Festival is a celebration of all that is great about this most popular genre of music. Over 30 bands/artists assemble in the city to showcase their talents, give talks and present workshops.

Winter Gifts Festival: held at the Romanian Peasant Museum, the annual Winter Gifts Festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season in the city. More than 150 local artists assemble to display and sell their unique handmade wares. This is an ideal place to buy Christmas gifts or souvenirs to take back to friends and relatives.