Bratislava carnival

On Saturday, February 7, the capital city of Bratislava invites you to the Bratislava Carnival, the city’s version of traditional carnival celebrations – a period of merriment, masks, dancing, music, and good food before Lent.

What can you expect?

– Carnival atmosphere right in the streets of the Old Town

– Program for all generations – from morning activities (especially for families), carnival parade, and evening entertainment in the square after the parade, concerts, dancing, and festivities

– Traditions + entertainment – folklore, dancing, musicians, masks

– Food and drink stands throughout the day

🍩🎉 BRATISLAVA’S CARNIVAL!

Programme:

Main Square

9:00 a.m. – Radio Junior LIVE

what if… we wore masks every day?

10:00 a.m. – From the Three Kings to the Ash Wednesday

fun Slovak carnival with children’s folklore groups

12:00 p.m. – Masks in Motion

dance workshop with Dan Antálek

1:00 p.m. – International Carnival

carnival traditions from Mexico to India

Františkánske Square

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Workshop Zone

performative workshops and preparation for the big parade!

CARNIVAL PARADE

4:30 p.m. – parade meeting

5:00 p.m. – Big carnival parade through the city

🎶 Evening program

Main Square

6:00 p.m. – Muzička

7:00 p.m. – Mask competition (collective & individual)

7:30 p.m. – Sendreiovci concert

8:30 p.m. – Duo SlaNina

party full of rhythms from the Balkans to Dirty Dancing

Accompanying program for children

Courtyard of the Old Town Hall

9:30 a.m. – Wolf Tĺčko

11:30 a.m. – The Devil and Catherine

Courtyard of the Old Town Hall

Houže Theater

9:30 a.m. – Wolf on the Moon

How many lies do we have to tell to achieve our goals, and is it really true that lies have short legs? The cult production from the Houže Theater is coming to liven up the Bratislava Carnival! The main character, the Wolf, is obsessed with the desire to get to the Moon. He therefore leaves his pack and sets off on a perilous journey into the unknown, where he encounters many strange creatures, strikingly similar to the old familiar Goat Kids or Little Red Riding Hood. The creators of the production made the set and puppets from materials intended for disposal (old clothes, PET bottles, old furniture).

11:30 a.m. – About Janko and Marienka or The Cruel Forest

Who doesn’t know the story of Janko and Marienka? This time, however, the Houže Theater brings you an incredible detective adventure that will appeal to both young and old viewers. No one else but the gamekeeper himself – Peter Martinček, a caring forester who suddenly has to quickly solve why Vajce never left on his journey and a large, cruel shadow fell on the fairytale land! Dear audience, prepare your attentive eyes, the journey through the fairytale forest is about to begin!

French Carnival

French Institute in Slovakia

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Creative workshop

Make your own mask from fabric using your imagination – we will provide the materials and help.

See the beautiful exhibition by Martin Smatana

A Year of Good News – visual stories that will delight and inspire you.

Free French trial lessons

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Basics of French
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Basics of French

Come make a mask, see the exhibition, and try out the French language in free sample lessons!

No matter your age or experience, Carnival fun is for everyone! Get your masks ready, invite your friends and family, and come celebrate Carnival the way it should be celebrated.

During Carnival Day, there will be a competition for the best masks for individuals and groups. Anyone with their own mask, whether made at home or in workshops, can participate. There are interesting and original prizes to be won.

The symbol of this year’s festival is the White Snake, a large carnival puppet created by the community. In Slavic tradition, it is associated with protection, renewal, and good energy, and it is with this message that the parade will lead the way. It will be created in joint workshops before the festival, and everyone can participate in its creation.

We invite you to join the parade! Masks, dancers, musicians, theater performers, and all enthusiasts of carnival traditions will come together in a parade that will breathe a unique carnival spirit into the old town. If you like costumes, join us – let’s create the most colorful parade of the season together!

Carnival is a time of joy, masquerading, and looser morals. Its traditions, which took place not only in the countryside but also in cities, have a firm place in Bratislava. This day is an ideal opportunity to experience the atmosphere of old craft celebrations right in the heart of the city – and have a lot of fun!

Location: Main Square, Bratislava, Slovakia
Date: Saturday, 07.02.2026
Start: 19:00 – 18:00
Admission: Free

Find all tips for the best Things to do in BRATISLAVA.