New Years Day
Slovakians celebrate the New Year with as much gusto as any other country. All of the towns, especially Bratislava, come alive with general merry-making and live music.

International Day of the Roma
This annual festival is always celebrated in Poprad, where dozens of professional and amateur Roma (gypsy) groups perform a variety of traditional dances and musical performances.

Bluegrass Bratislava Festival
A handful of local and international bluegrass bands from around Europe converge on the capital of Slovakia for several days of good time music, food and drinks.

Folklore Festival (Polana)
Detva, the centre of the Polana region, is famous nationwide for its folklore festival, which happens over an entire week. Visitors can enjoy the folk songs, dances, costumes and musical instruments performed by talented locals. Traditional crafts are also put on display.

Kezmarok Folk Festival
This annual folk festival in the town of Kezmarok features both traditional and modern Roma (gypsy) music, songs and dancing.

Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising
Slovakia achieved its independence through the hard work and sacrifice of many Slovakians. This day remembers their efforts.

Bratislava Music Festival
This lively music festival puts an emphasis on up-and-coming young musicians, who come to the capital to perform their best. This is also a chance to preserve the Slovakian traditional musical culture.

Slovak Romany Festival Ternipen
This is the country’s largest gypsy festival featuring both traditional Roma folk music as well as more modern tunes; called pop-rom. Professional and amateur groups perform dancing, singing and play alongside cultural activities and traditional Romany food stalls in the town of Snina.

Slovakia Wine Festival
This festival celebrates the centuries-old practice of winemaking in Slovakia. Coinciding with the grape harvest around the country, local wineries open their doors for visitors to see the process and enjoy the fruits of their labours.

Hontianska Parada
This interesting event is a regional Argo tourism festival of folk culture which takes place in the Hrusov woodlands. All kinds of traditional farming activities are put on display alongside performances of folk music, songs and dancing.

Christmas
The highlight of this season in Slovakia takes place on Christmas Eve, called Stedry Deo. People all over the country see this as a day to be generous and kind, so visitors can expect to see an even greater outpouring of welcoming spirit during this time.

International Film Festival in Bratislava
Many independent and international films are screened during this week-long event, designed to put some of Eastern Europe’s best filmmakers on display.

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: date varies each year
Easter: date varies each year
May Day: 1 May
Liberation of the Republic: 8 May
Saint Cyril and Methoduis Day: 5 July
Anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising: 29 August
Constitution Day: 1 September
Our Lady of Sorrows: 15 September
All Saints Day: 1 November
Day of Freedom and Democracy: 17 November
Christmas: 25 December