Throughout the year, Romanians celebrate their ancient heritage, changing seasons, religious holidays and life-cycle events,
such as birth, marriage and death, with festivals that have remained unchanged for centuries.
From vibrant international folklore spectacles to local festivals and traditional celebrations,
year-round events across the country offer an exclusive opportunity to experience the authentic spirit of Romania.
Many of these festivals provide truly immersive cultural experiences.
Some of Europe's most traditional folkways are meticulously preserved here,
with young celebrants wearing the same costumes and dancing the same steps
to tunes played on instruments traditional to their forefathers since time immemorial.
Most cities and towns host annual festivals celebrating music, heritage, gastronomy, and their unique local identities.
Festivals provide wonderful opportunities for visitors to experience the amalgam of the people
who make up this country whose Latin roots dating from the Roman Empire make it unique in East-Central Europe.
A wide variety of cultural, artistic, and historical celebrations
that reflect Romania multicultural heritage.
Heritage festivals are true living archives, preserving and passing down culinary traditions,
traditional crafts, historic costumes, music, and folk dances from one generation to the next.
Events such as Haferland Week preserve centuries-old Transylvanian Saxon traditions
through authentic regional cuisine, traditional music, local craftsmanship, and community activities.
Take the time to experience Romania's rich and diverse calendar of cultural events.
2026 Romania Festivals, Events and Celebrations
announced by the local authorities/ organizing entities.
Prominent annual cultural events held across Romania
| Timeline / Host City | Event Name / Core & Highlights |
|---|---|
May, second weekend / |
Sâmbra Oilor Festival marking the departure of the sheep herds to graze in the mountain pastures. |
| May / Bucharest |
Revino Wine Show Romania's premier wine event, a great opportunity for vinous discoveries. |
| June / Cluj Napoca |
Transylvania Film Festival International feature film festival, one of the most important film festivals in Eastern Europe. Over 200 features across the ten days. The event includes a competition for 1st and 2nd time directors. |
nearest weekend to July 20 / |
Maidens' Fair (Târgul de Fete) A centuries-old matchmaking tradition set at the border of four counties attracts participants from 80 villages to join the walk up to Gaina Mountain Plateau for performances and re-enactments and the perfect mate. No longer a "maiden market" but a fair of dancing, music and food. |
| late July / several Transylvania villages |
Haferland - Transylvania Oat Country - Festival
(Saptamana Haferland) An event that highlights the Transylvanian Saxons culture, in the region between Rupea and Sighișoara. |
July, |
Sighisoara Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts (Festivalul Medieval Sighisoara) A three-day celebration of medieval arts, crafts, music, that recreates the atmosphere of medieval Sighisoara. |
| mid-August / Sibiu |
Sibiu Traditional Crafts Fair / Craftspeople Festival Crafts market, folk art workshops (pottery molding, textile embroidering, woodcarving and more) offered, for free, by preeminent folk artists, local foods. |
first weekend following August 15 |
Dance at Prislop (Hora de la Prislop) Traditional celebration of ties among three of Romania's main regions: Transylvania, Moldova and Maramures; villagers parade in traditional costume to Prislop Pass in the Carpathian Mountains, then participate in traditional dances, singing and feasting. |
| early September / Sibiu Great Square |
Potters' Fair (Targul Olarilor) Traditional Romanian handmade ceramics expo and market, experimental pottery workshops and Romanian gastronomy. Sibiu has a long pottery tradition. One of Sibiu's Old Town defending towers - the Potters’ Tower - was built in the 15th century, with money donated by Saxon pottery artisans. |
September, last weekend/ |
The (end-of-Pasture) Sheep Gathering (Răvășitul Oilor) Traditional pastyoral festival marking the return of the sheep herds from grazing in the mountain pastures. Folk music and dance, food, and local markets. |
September, biennial (every odd year) / |
George Enescu Classical Music Festival (biennial) A month filled with classical music! World's top Orchestras, Conductors and Chamber Ensembles perform in Bucharest. |
| October / Bucharest |
Revino Gourmet Show Romania's finest cheeses, cured meats and wines are presented by the country's leading producers. |
| December 27 / Sighetu Marmatiei |
Festivals of Christmas Traditions (Festivalul de Datini și Obiceiuri de Iarnă "Marmația") One of the longest-running events dedicated to winter traditions in Romania. "Marmatia" takes place in Sighetu Marmatiei historic center and brings together groups of carolers, troupes of well-wishers, masked dancers, ancient customs, and authentic folk costumes, all passed down from generation to generation. |
...
Of all the events scheduled during the year, folk festivals are, perhaps, the most colorful.
While some festival dates remain fixed, others change year by year so it's wise to check before your trip.
For the latest updates and more information please check RomaniaTourism Calendar of Events
or contact the nearest Romanian Diplomatic Office.
