July - September

Slovenia`s high season starts in the month of June and continues through July and August, finally transitioning into the shoulder season in the month of September, when Slovenian children return to school and many Slovenians (and Croatians, and Italians) wrap up their vacations. Lines at popular attractions will reach their peaks, so if there are specific sights you want to see, make sure you visit them either in the early morning or in the final two hours before closing time. The weather becomes drier nationwide, but also more humid. Temperatures are firmly in the upper 70s and low 80s during the day across the country in July and August, with lows in the 50s and low 60s nationwide. By September, temperatures retreat to the low 70s during the day in most spots, except in Lake Bled, where average highs are still in the mid-70s. Average lows nationwide are in the low and mid-50s.

Holidays and festivals:

Late June and early July (two weeks): Festival of Lent, Maribor, a large performing arts festival featuring theatre, ballet, opera, and other live performances, as well as a big fireworks show.

July–August: Ljubljana Summer Festival, the largest music event in Slovenia, a two-month extravaganza including every type of performance, from opera to ballet to rock and jazz music.

July (two weeks): Bled International Music Festival, a concert series held at various venues throughout town such as Bled Castle and the Bled Festival Hall.

Early July (four days): Ana Desetnica Street Theatre Festival, Ljubljana. The largest improvisational arts festival in Slovenia, it goes on to tour 10 cities across the country in the next few weeks after the Ljubljana festival.

Early to mid-July (four days): Festival of Beer and Flowers (Pivo-Cvetje), Laško, in the Savinja River Valley. Laško is home to the Laško Brewery, Slovenia`s largest brewer. Not only are there beer and flowers, there are lots of live music performances.

Mid-July (three days): Bled Days and Bled Night, the most popular tourist event in Bled. The lake promenade area is filled with folk music, dancers, and other performers, as well as local arts and crafts available for sale. At night (specifically Bled Night), the buildings and landmarks on and around the lake light up in a beautiful show, which includes fireworks and floating candles.

Late July to early August (10 days): Okarina Ethno Festival, Bled, a popular world music festival featuring performances at Bled Castle and along the lake promenade.

August 15: The Assumption of Mary (Marijino vnebovzetje), a work-free day for the traditionally Catholic Slovenians. Expect closures at many businesses nationwide.

Late August and early September (2 weeks): Tartini Festival, Piran, a classical music festival dedicated to Piran`s most famous son, the Baroque composer Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770).

Early September (three days): National Costumes and Clothing Heritage Days (Dnevi narodnih noš), Kamnik, near Ljubljana. There are parades which showcase folk costumes from all parts of Slovenia and from multiple historical eras.

Mid-September (10 days): Old Vine Festival, Maribor, a wine festival celebrating what is said to be the oldest vine still alive in the world. The festival includes folk music and dancing.

Mid-September (weekend): Cow Ball (Kraviji Bal), on Lake Bohinj in Ukanc. The festival, which honors the local cows of the region (who are adorned with beautiful wreaths and other flowers), signifies the end of the traditional summer season in Alpine Slovenia. The festival is also known for its folk dancing and Alpine summer sports.