When it comes to spending Summer with kids in the city, it doesn’t get much better than Slovenia’s capital. We pick our favorite family festivals in Ljubljana from theater to science and we didn’t forget the food.

International Street Theater Festival – Ana Desetnica

This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to theater. It’s light, it’s funny, it’s outdoors, across different venues around Ljubljana. Besides if you don’t enjoy it, you can simply walk away. But it’s hard not to, since the performers are clowns, jugglers, dancers… Sit on the benches or stretch your legs on the hot ground and be prepared to have fun. After a long hot Summer day in Ljubljana, this is the best afternoon refreshment. Taking place from 30th of June till 3rd of July, this is a festival, you don’t want to miss.

Get more info: http://www.anamonro.org/ana-desetnica.html.

 

Sciencetival 2016

If you are already a fan of the House of Experiments – and by the way you should be, you might be familiar with the festival of Science. House of Experiments is Slovenia’s first hands on Science center and a must see when visiting Ljubljana with kids.

More great places and things to do in Ljubljana with kids on a rainy or sunny day.

They are the organizers and it’s all about learning science in a fun and interactive way. Kids get to try and see many experiments and trust me you’ll be impressed with them too. You can’t miss it if you head out to the Presern square in downtown Ljubljana, from June 3rd to 5th.

Here’s what you can look for: http://www.sciencetival.si

 

International festival Mini theater for kids

From 23rd of June till the 3rd of September 2016 you will have a lot of opportunities to visit some of kids’ favorite shows – in Slovene. The language will however not be the barrier on the weekends, when kids can have fun at the creative workshops. A very special treat will definitely be the second part of the program which promises shows performed by the theaters from Russia, Great Britain, Montenegro, Serbia and the Czech Republic.

Here’s what you need to know: http://www.mini-teater.si/en/.

 

Library Under the Treetops 

Not really a festival, but a great way to enjoy books and relax. You can find little book havens across Ljubljana and in some other towns in Slovenia. It’s basically a few great books, lounge chairs under treetops and people who come to mingle, read, rest… In Ljubljana you can find it at these places, check for dates and times:  Tivoli Park, the Trnovo Embankment, Ljubljana Castle, Zvezda Park, Vodnikova Domacija, Mala Ulica Family Centre, Petkovskovo Embankment and Vič kindergarten.

Fall in love with books: http://www.knjiznicapodkrosnjami.si.

 

International street festival – Emonska promenada

One of our favorite events marks the end of the Summer – it is always held on the last weekend in August. Hopefully it will be take place this year as well, but I am not 100 percent sure. It hosts many shows, performances, creative workshops, science experiments… It’s such great fun to walk down the Emonska street to the Trnovo bridge and watch kids and their parents enjoy their time together.

Keep fingers crossed and check here: www.kud.si/.

 

Museum Summer Night 

Not really a festival but still such a great event, it has to be mentioned here and not missed. Mark your calenders – 18th of June and head to museums across Slovenia – don’t have to stick to the capital. 80 museums and galleries welcome visitors till midnight with no admission. Accompanied with 200 events,  you will definitely find something interesting to do.

Coolkidz’ Tip: Join the evening stroll with Roman ghosts, organized by the City Museum of Ljubljana. It’s a torch-lit walk around the most important parts of the ancient Emona.

Stay awake: http://www.muzejska-noc.si.

 

Open kitchen

Like I promised, I didn’t forget about the food. Open kitchen is a food market and not so much a festival (though they do organize Beer and Burger Festival every now and then). Held every Friday – if the weather permits – on the Pogacar square. What will you have? Where do you want the food to take you? Pad Thai – check, Udon noodles – check, burgers, Slovenian local delicacies – everyone can pick their favorite here.

Ljubljana does seem like a really cool place, right. Now, you are definitely itching for a visit. But before you head out, I should warn you: 10 Reasons You Should Never Take Your Kids to Ljubljana. 

So, will we meet at any of these places?