Top 100 December 2019/January 2020 TOP EVENTS objava_ADI_VD_2019_ENG.pdf 1 21.11.2019 13:47:48 6th COMPETITION IN WINE AND TEA COOKING WITH C M ADI SMOLAR Y

Photo: SNG Opera in balet Ljubljana CM MERRY 21. 12. ob 18.00 MY DECEMBER THE GREAT GATSBY MARKET MEDVODE CY IN MEDVODE Ljubljana 2019 December 2019 – January 2020 CMY + FESTIVE LIGHTS SWITCH-ON 6. 12. K VEČ O VESELEM DECEMBRU V MEDVODAH 2019: The internationally renowned choreographer Leo Mujić, found the source + STAND UP COMEDY “BAD COMPANY” 14. 12. material for his new choreography in the famous novel by Francis Scott + X-MAX CABARET 15. 12. Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby. The distinguished work from the treasury of the classical American literature exposes in a highly critical tone the + N.Y. CONCERT OF BRASS BAND MEDVODE 22. 12. negative dimensions of the great American dream and the rigidity of the + VISIT OF “GRANDFATHER FROST” 27. 12. decadent high society circles in New York between the two world wars + NEW YEARS EVE WITH “KERLCI” 31. 12. that did not allow transitions between social classes. The lavish narrative of a mysterious, rich man who becomes a victim of his own love and be- liefs is also a story about the lovers who are not destined to be together. www.visitmedvode.si Further information: www.opera.si

Festive December in Maribor 2019 Photo: Ledena Dežela

ICE SCULPTURES/ICE LAND Ljubljana December 2019 - January 2020

In its sixth season the Land of Ice is coming to the very heart of the capital, to Kongresni trg in Ljubljana. In an inclosed space of 150 Program square meters, cooled down to - 5o C, you will be able to see sculp- 29th November – tures made out of 60 tons of ice. The Land of Ice 2019/2020 is based st off of a book Dragons on the way by Niko Kupper. The well-known au- 31 December 2019 thor of children’s books takes us on a journey across Slovenia through the story about the Klagenfurt dragon that magically comes to life. Of visitmaribor.si course, part of the story takes place in Ljubljana, a city that has lived Maribor - Pohorje Tourist Board under the sign of the dragon for centuries. Further information: www.ledena-dezela.com

ZMT_Carobni-december_EVENTS_83x100_nov2019.indd 1 22/11/2019 11:28:08 TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

Photo: Mestno gledališče ljubljansko

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Ljubljana December 2019

The Addams Family is a musical comedy about a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. The Addams family be- came so well-known in American culture and abroad that it was de- clared »the most iconic American family.

www.mgl.si

Publisher Publisher IQbator, Miklošičeva cesta 38, 1000 Ljubljana, t. +386 (0)30 706 000, [email protected] | www.the-slovenia.com | FB The Slovenia | Instagram the. slovenia Director Niko Slavnić MSc Printed Prima IP d.o.o. Edition 10.000 copies per month Maps Monolit d.o.o. Production Manager Jasmina Milanović Sales Manager Janža Pavlin | Design Aleksandar Vukojević Photos Dean Duboković, www.slovenia.info and our partners. Copyright notice Text and photos copyright IQBATOR d.o.o. Maps copyright cartographer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without written permission from the publisher and copyright owner. TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS BIO 26

Cheerful December in Kranj 1–31 December 2019 / old town

On December 1st, the Christmas lights will switched on in Kranj with a big celebration, inviting you to a series of magical and fragrant winter events: Christmas market, culinary delicacies, storytellers for children and a various concert program. You will be enchanted by the tasteful decoration and festive lights, including the verses of Prešeren, a crib made of wood, a magical grove and ice sculptures! In this year's Cheerful December will also host many charity events, since in Kranj, we have good thoughts in our hearts, as the poet put it. Spend these festive days in our cheerful company. The varied program will make you want to dance and it will warm your heart.

www.visitkranj.si TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

Festive Fair Cheerful December in Kranj till MARIBOR KRANJ Take a walk through the Fair: the stalls offer a full range 3-31 December is a time of twinkling lights, peacefulness, 30 of genuine, high-quality handicraft, arts and crafts products warmth, small tokens of appreciation and good wishes. and traditional cuisine. | www.visitmaribor.si www.visitkranj.com MON TUE-TUE The windows of imagination This Merry Day of Culture till ŠKOFJA LOKA LJUBLJANA New year, new edition, new art, new craft, new events, 3 On the birth anniversary of the greatest Slovenian poet, 31 new surprises and new communication. admission to most of Slovenia’s cultural institutions will www.loski-muzej.si be free. | www.ljubljana.si TUE TUE Exhibition of Christmas Nativity Scenes Severolandija from ORMOŽ Exhibition of Christmas Nativity Scenes on . 4-28 We have prepared a rich programme of December events, 1 Exhibition is open in Bled Castle opening hours. En- which will not lack theatre performances, rock concert, Christ- trance fee = Bled Castle entrance fee. | www.bled.si mas market and bazaar. | www.ormoz.si SUN WED-SAT Cheerful December in Kranj UNICEF Rag Dolls KRANJ LJUBLJANA 1-31 A variety of music and many children’s programmes, 5-30 Adopt beautiful rags dolls and your €20 donation will enable delicious cuisine, Christmas market and charity events. UNICEF to vaccinate children in a developing country against www.visitkranj.si six dangerous childhood diseases. | www.ljubljanskigrad.si SUN-TUE THU-MON Switching-on of the Christmas lights with Winter Fairytale Forest 2019 Taste Radol’ca KOČEVJE 1 RADOVLJICA 5-31 Within the festive December, the urban platform in Kočevje The Christmas light switch-on will be accompanied by hosts many events that enliven the days before Christmas. Taste Radol’ca culinary delights. | www.radolca.si www.kocevsko.com MON THU-TUE Fairytale Kamnik Velenje Undreground KAMNIK VELENJE 1-31 The sparkling December atmosphere in Kamnik, one of 5 In order to engage all of your five senses, the dinner is going the most beautiful medieval towns in Slovenia. to take place 160 m underground in a unique subterranean ww.visitkamnik.com coal mining museum. | www.velenje-tourism.si SUN-TUE THU Christmas market Visit of St. Nicholas RADOVLJICA CELJE 1-31 From 2pm to 8pm at Square in front of St. Peter’s 5 The festive atmosphere in town will continue with the visit of church. St. Nicholas for children on 5th December at the Krek Square www.radolca.si at 5:00pm. | www.visitcelje.eu SUN-TUE THU Big Band RTV Slovenija in Matija Dedić, piano St Nicholas (Mikloševo senje) LJUBLJANA MURSKA SOBOTA 2 Big Band RTV Slovenia will host the largest internationally 6 Mikloševo senje, Lighting of festive lights, the opening of the renowned Croatian jazz pianist virtuoso Matija Dedić, win- fairy land and ice rink Martina Luthra. ner of more than twenty-five Porin awards. | www.cd-cc.si www.visitmurskasobota.si MON FRI Animateka Potica Days on Bled Island LJUBLJANA BLED 2-8 16th International animated film festival. 6-8 Potica baking demonstration in Potičnica on Bled Island. Pot- ica, a traditional pastry, is a must for every holiday or a family www.animateka.si celebration in Slovenia. | www.bled.si MON-SUN FRI-SUN Bauhaus: The Imperative Of Transparency Switch-on of Christmas Lights & Visit of St. Nicholas LJUBLJANA PORTOROŽ 2-3 Symposium and documentary films for the centenary 6-8 Do not miss the magical Portorož, visit of St. Nicholas, of the Bauhaus. Christmas Market and a rich entertainment programme for www.goethe.de all tastes and ages. | www.portoroz.si MON-TUE FRI-SUN TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

Festive December in Sobota The Truth (La vérité) MURSKA SOBOTA LJUBLJANA 7-30 Every day there is a festive offer at the houses near the rink, 14 Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first non-Japanese language produc- and concerts on Fridays and Saturdays. tion addresses the issue whether lies are just as vital to www.visitmurskasobota.si personal happiness as the truth. | www.cd-cc.si SAT-MON SAT Grandfather Frost The first major excavations MARIBOR LJUBLJANA A song about Grandfather Frost will wake up the fairy-tale 7 -28 creatures from Pohorje, the lights will be turned off and a tiny 17 In recent years, major archaeological excavations of light will flash on the dark slope. Emonan sites are being done alongside the renovation of www.visitmaribor.si Ljubljana. | www.mgml.si SAT-SAT TUE Nicole Mitchell & Cory Smythe Ptuj Fairy Tale LJUBLJANA PTUJ 10 A jazz concert. Nicole Mitchell, an annual flutist of the year 18-30 Decorations above the streets of the old city centre become recipient since 2010 and Cory Smythe, 2017 Grammy Award the backdrop where magical creatures turn Mestni trg into a Winner for Best small band Performance. | www.cd-cc.si fairytale land every December. | www.ptuj.info TUE WED-MON The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol Marina Martensson LJUBLJANA KRANJ 11-14 Created by the choreographer and director Youri Vámos is a 19 Marina is a singer and songwriter who like to travel over great hit among our ballet lovers. genres and sounds, while her breezy tonality captures the www.opera.si listener with her emotional storytelling. | www.visitkranj.si WED-SAT THU Simona Semenič: this apple, made of gold BAJAGA I INSTRUKTORI LJUBLJANA LJUBLJANA 11-16 Focusing on female sexuality, multiple Grum Award-winner 19 The stage of Kurzschluss is once again going to be rocked tackles her subject sincerely, playfully, sensually, and above by an iconic singer, guitarist and composer Bajaga with his all with a liberating no-nonsense approach. | www.cd-cc.si legendary band Instruktori. | www.kurzschluss.si WED-MON THU Saint Lucia Traditional Christmas and New Year’s Concert of KRANJ the Wind Orchestra 12 The festival of lights celebrates the longest night of the year 20 IZOLA by illuminating the dark sky, as well as our hearts. The Izola Wind Orchestra will perform its traditional Christmas www.visitkranj.si and New Year concert on December 20th. | www.visitizola.com THU FRI Slovenian weekend in Portorož Umek PORTOROŽ LJUBLJANA 13-15 Don’t miss the real Slovenian weekend in Portorož with a 20 Umek is returning to Kurzschluss in December with a fresh rich entertaining programme with concerts and theatre for sound that is taking the techno sound on a completely different children. | www.portoroz.si level. | www.kurzschluss.si FRI-SUN FRI The Fairy-tale Land Glitterbox w Roger Sanchez & more CELJE LJUBLJANA 13-31 In the Fairy-tale Land, children will dance with and be enter- 21 A nightlife phenomenon, conceptualised in 2014 by Defected tained by the magical fairies and other fairytale characters, boss Simon Dunmore, is bringing Roger Sanchez as a headlin- Father Christmas and Father Frost. | www.visitcelje.eu FRI-TUE SAT er to our December lineup. | www.kurzschluss.si Festival of Octets Dražen Zečić & Marko Škugor z gosti KRANJ DRAVOGRAD 14 Excellent vocal groups like the Gorenjski oktet, Kvintet, 21 GREAT CHRISTMAS TOUR: Drazen Zecic and Marko Skugor Oktetek, Koroški oktet, Oktet Valvazor, Vokalna skupina Kol- with their guests! orina, Škofjeloški oktet, and Oktet Gallus. | www.visitkranj.si www.eventim.si SAT SAT 100 at Cold river Slovenian tuba Christmas AJDOVŠČINA KRANJ 14 100 ob Mrzli reki is a unique flat-way ultra-running event 21 Listen to Slovenian and international Christmas songs played taking place in the beautiful Vipava Valley, along two cold by euphonists and tubists from all over Slovenia dressed as St. rivers Hubelj and Vipava. | www.100obmrzlireki.si Clause. | www.visitkranj.si SAT SAT TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

Fairytale horses for children with the Sitar ranch Tartini Market in Piran RADOVLJICA PIRAN 21 Linhart Square from 12noon to 3pm. 23-5 Tartini Market traditionally takes place at Tartini Square. Its purpose is to promote home-made and locally produced prod- www.radolca.si ucts from the Piran countryside. | www.portoroz.si SAT MON-SUN Severina Dance with the Lord of the Castle LJUBLJANA BLED 21 “The Magic Tour” of a popular Croatian singer and performer. 24-26 Medieval group dancing performance at the Bled Castle’s Upper Terrace. Admission to the events is with a valid castle www.severina.com entrance ticket only. | www.bled.si SAT TUE-THU Awaken the Dragon Legend of the Sunken Bell LJUBLJANA BLED 21-6 Your are warmly invited to view this audiovisual story of a drag- 25 On Christmas day, the famous Bled legend of the sunken bell on, the guardian of the city of Ljubljana, who did battle with the comes to life. Bled Society for Underwater Activities, the wish- brave knight George. | www.ljubljanskigrad.si ing bell rises again from the lake depths. | www.bled.si SAT-MON WED Adi Smolar Help! A Beatles Tribute LJUBLJANA KRANJ 21 A concert of Slovenian singer-songwriter and composer. 25 HELP! A Beatles Tribute is one of the most musically faithful bands playing Beatles music today. www.visitmedvode.si www.visitkranj.si SAT WED The Christmas Fair on Martin Luther’s avenue Ana Snežna in Radovljica MURSKA SOBOTA RADOVLJICA 21-22 The Christmas Fair on Martin Luther’s avenue. 25 Winter International Festival of Street Theater in Linhart Square. www.visitmurskasobota.si www.radolca.si SAT-SUN WED Coop Fis Cross-Country World Cup The Living Nativity Scenes in Postojna Cave PLANICA POSTOJNA 21-22 Saturday: Qualifications - Sprint free; Finals - Sprint free. Sun- 25-30 Between 25 and 30 December, you can see the biblical story day: Semi finals - Team sprint free; Finals - Team sprint free. staged in the awe-inspiring setting of Postojna Cave and enjoy the www.planica.si one-of-a-kind magical atmosphere. | www.postojnska-jama.eu SAT-SUN WED-MON Senidah Live nativity in the Ice Kingdom 2019 LJUBLJANA MOJSTRANA 22 December’s concert lineup in Kurzschluss will be enriched by 25-30 A Christmas Story captured in the Ice Kingdom in Mojstrana. a charismatic Slovenian singer Senidah. Don’t miss her big- gest solo concert in Slovenia. | www.kurzschluss.si www.lednoplezanje.com SUN WED-MON ‘What smells so lovely?’ Nativity scene in the Jewish House cave from the paleolithic RADOVLJICA SEMIČ 22 Creative workshop making oil diffusers and scented cushions 25-27 Jewish House cave from the Paleolithic will be decorated with with the Museum of Apiculture. a nativity scene and countless lights by the members of the www.radolca.si Stranska vas Sports Association. | www.kc-semic.si SUN WED-FRI Exhibition of cribs nativity scene in the churches 8th Sparkling Wine Festival of Piran PORTOROŽ 22-5 PIRAN 26 The glamorous Crystal Hall of the Kempinski Palace Portorož You are invited to visit the Cribs in Piran Churches. hotel will host more than 30 Slovenian, Croatian, Italian and www.portoroz.si Austrian producers of sparkling wines. | www.portoroz.si SUN-SUN THU Radol’ca, ‘a golden crown’ Antiques and Handcrafted Products Market RADOVLJICA PIRAN 23 Workshop for children from 6pm to 7pm at Atrium of Radov- 26 Members of the “Anbot” Association invite you to visit the fair ljica Manor. and find some interesting things for your collection as well as www.radolca.si taste the local dishes. | www.portoroz.si MON THU TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

St Stephen’s Fair and blessing of horses at Radovljica carol singing RADOVLJICA 26 BLED 29 Radovljica carol singing through Linhart square, ending at the After the blessing follows a social gathering with refreshments. atrium of the Rectory in Radovljica. www.bled.si www.radolca.si THU SUN Mermaid Traditional Christmas Carols in Piran RADOVLJICA PIRAN 26 Ballet performance by Moj klub, Baroque Hall of the Ra- 30 Kindly invited to the traditional Christmas Carols in Piran. dovljica Manor. www.radolca.si www.portoroz.si THU MON Free entrance to Lipica on Saint Stephen’s Day Grandfather Frost LIPICA KRANJ 26 On the day of the patron saint of horses, riders and carriage 30 The third good man of these holidays will walk through the drivers, Saint Stephen, in Lipica Stud Farm, we are reviving town with fairytale creatures. the tradition of the horse blessing. | www.lipica.org www.visitkranj.si THU MON Mayor’s concert: Jan Plestenjak Christmas-New Year’s Eve concert KRANJ BLED 27 One of the most desirable, popular and prolific Slovenian mu- 30 Feel invited to an exceptional music concert. sicians. www.visitkranj.si www.bled.si FRI MON Puppet show Narobe dan (The wrong day) 70 Years of Mystery RADOVLJICA LJUBLJANA 27 Puppet show and visit by Grandfather Frost with the Radovljica 30 Guided tour of the Museum of Puppetry and Ljubljana Puppet Tourist Association, Radovljica Manor. Theatre for children (6+) and adults in English (with a funicular www.radolca.si ride included). | www.ljubljanskigrad.si FRI MON Christmas-New Year’s Eve concert: Canticum Novum Big New Year`s Eve in Maribor BLED MARIBOR 28 A concert at the Church of St. Martin in Bled. 31 The big New Year`s Eve in Maribor is a unique experience in the Old Town, on the largest Slovenian square, the Trg www.bled.si Leona Štuklja square. | www.visitmaribor.si SAT TUE MANOUCHE Outdoor New Year’s Eve party KRANJ BLED 28 The band performs electro swing, a mix of electronic dance 31 Join us in welcoming the New Year in Bled. music, and so called gypsy swing, a jazz style from the 1920s and 1930s. | www.visitkranj.si www.bled.si SAT TUE Taste Radol’ca New Year’s Eve RADOVLJICA RADOVLJICA 28 Street food in Linhart Square. 31 New Year’s Eve with gorenjski kvintet in Linhart Square, the Municipality of Radovljica, Večno mladi fantje (Ever Young Man www.radolca.si Club), Linhart Square, Radovljica.| www.radolca.si SAT TUE Merrily with our folk musicians Amira & Bojan Z BLED LJUBLJANA 29 Merrily with our folk musicians is an annual event organized by 31 Amira turns sevdah inside out, finding new contexts and forms Folklore Association Bled. within a tradition that is hundreds of years old. www.bled.si www.cd-cc.si SUN TUE King Foo New Year’s Eve KRANJ MURSKA SOBOTA 29 The band performs a fusion of pop, rock, and funk music. 31 Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the center of Murska Sobota.

www.visitkranj.si www.visitmurskasobota.si SUN TUE TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

New Years’Eve in Piran Golden Fox - FIS Ski World Cup for Women PIRAN MARIBOR 31 Celebrate the New Year in good company at the Tartini Square 18-19 Experience the unforgettable atmosphere! A classical wom- in Piran with Samuel Lucas & The Groove Station, Adriano Roy en’s competition in Maribor for the FIS Ski World Cup! | www. Dee Jay. | www.portoroz.si goldenfox.org TUE SAT-SUN New Year’s Eve with Victory Ice Island in Izola KRANJ till IZOLA 31 Celebrate the last night of the year in Kranj’s centre with Vic- Entertainment festive days with animation for children, theatre tory, a popular Slovenian band. 19 shows and musical concerts. www.visitkranj.com www.visitizola.com TUE SUN The Addams Family IT Security Conference LJUBLJANA RIMSKE TOPLICE 31 Spend your New Year’s Eve with the weird and creepy, but also 20-22 We will address challenges, which IT and security teams are hilariously entertaining Addams family. facing from several aspects, and provide ideas and solutions. www.mgl.si www.securit.events TUE MON-WED Traditional New Year’s afternoon with fireworks Conventa PORTOROŽ LJUBLJANA 1 Don’t miss the traditional New Year’s afternoon in Portorož 21-23 “South East European Trade Show for Meetings, Events and with a jump into the sea and magnificent fireworks. Incentives”. www.portoroz.si www.conventa.si WED TUE-THU Slovenian Christmas Fairytale IBU Biathlon World Cup till MOZIRSKI GAJ Fairy tale will enchant you with the majestic warm glow of a 22-26 Follow your favourite biathletes live in Pokljuka from 22 to 26 5 1.5 million Christmas lights, fashioned into charming ensemble January 2020. of countless shapes and forms. | www.mozirskigaj.com www.biathlon-pokljuka.com SUN WED-SUN Castle Festive Fair The Snow Sculpture Festival “The Castles of King Matjaž” till LJUBLJANA ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM In order to conjure up a beautiful festive atmosphere for our 24-26 The traditional 27th Snow Sculpture Festival “The Castles of 6 many visitors, at the in December we are King Matjaž”, the main winter tourist event in the Carinthia preparing a series of diverse events. | www.ljubljanskigrad.si region. | www.koroska.si MON FRI-SUN Nativity Scene IMAD Magician till LJUBLJANA LJUBLJANA Miro Rismondo has created life-size wooden nativity scene 25 Imad Magician and Luka Vidovic Magician/Illusionist when 6 figures for the Ljubljana Castle. the impossible becomes possible with the guests. www.ljubljanskigrad.si www.sport-ljubljana.si MON SAT Christmas and New Year’s Market Natour Alpe Adria till PORTOROŽ from LJUBLJANA Rich culinary and handicraft offer: mulled wine, sweets, olive The leading travel show in Alps-Adriatic region showcases a 5 oil, Piran salt, honey, cheese, marmalades, herbal teas, laven- 29 tourism. der products, natural cosmetics… | www.portoroz.si www.alpeadria.si SUN WED (Un)Known / Exhibitions Gast Expo till LJUBLJANA from LJUBLJANA National Geographic Slovenia photographic exhibition. Gast Expo display products like Gastronomy, beverage, coffee, 12 29 confectionery, bakery, catering and hospitality, Ice cream & www.ljubljanskigrad.si wine etc. | www.gast.si SUN WED Crvena jabuka Elvis Fever - The Original Musicians LJUBLJANA LJUBLJANA 18 Traditional concert of a popular pop rock Bosnian – Croatian 29 ELVIS - The King of rock’n’roll - collaborated with some of the group. best musicians and artists, who have been spoiling us with www.cvetlicarna.info hits up to the present day. | www.eventim.si SAT WED Driving distances from Ljubljana

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Event Categories DECEMBER 2019 V DRAVOGRADU

Photo: Dean Duboković

TOP 100 EVENTS These top 100 events of the month are an eclectic and interesting mix of culture, music, fashion, gastronomy, business, sport, nature and other fun activities and outings for the whole family. The colour of the listings’ titles show their category, and events take place all over Slovenia and range from traditional to modern. Designed for children, adults, sports enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and art aficionados - in this comprehensive event guide you will be able to find events for every taste, so don’t hesitate to read all about what’s happening this month. Looking to experience even more adventures whilst in Slovenia? Then make sure to download the completely free The Slovenia App, where we present all of the country’s must-visit destinations as well as lots of ideas for interesting trips off the beaten path. TOP SLOVENIA EVENTS

FREE ICE SKATING EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

Every day from 11th to 21st of December 17.00 City stage Kids show/performance/theatre City centre Fairy-tale fair 19.00 City stage Concerts, stand-ups, disco

PERFORMING ARTS 28th of December 10.00, 11.30, 15.00 Kamnik’s Main Square Ice countess Veronika from Mali Grad 18.00 Europe Park, city centre Fire performance with Čupakabra

MUSIC – Kamnik’s Main Square 28th of December Concert: Rok Ferengja & Rok’n’band / pop 29th of December Concert: Koala Voice and Matter / disco pop / trap 30th of December Concert: Sundrops and Arche / pop / rock 31th of December New year’s celebration with Poljanški ensemble / folk