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Spooky vibes
With Halloween just around the corner, special events are once again taking place for the occasion.
Trenčín Castle will host another edition of the popular Kráľovstvo Svetlonosov (Jack-o'-lantern Kingdom) event on Saturday, featuring pumpkin carving (the pumpkin is included in the ticket), making simple autumn decorations, and a detective game that will lead children through the castle grounds. Learn more here.
Článok pokračuje pod video reklamou
Článok pokračuje pod video reklamou
Do you enjoy the feeling of chills running down your spine? If so, don't miss Hradné zimomriavky (Castle Chills), a spooky event taking place this Saturday at Strečno Castle near Žilina in northern Slovakia. Special guided tours await those brave enough to face both the cold weather and the eerie atmosphere. Visitors can also look forward to a fencing and theatrical performance featuring vampire hunters who have descended on the castle to hunt down the most dangerous vampire of them all. Click here to learn more.
Strečno Castle. (source: TASR)
The big-cat rescue centre Malkia Park near Dunajská Streda in western Slovakia will host a special Halloween pumpkin party this Saturday, featuring a day of masks, creativity, games, guided feeding sessions and spooky autumn activities. Children aged up to 17 who wear masks will be admitted free of charge. Click here for more details.
Two witches will visit Beckov Castle near Nové Mesto nad Váhom in western Slovakia this Saturday. With a touch of comedy, they will guide visitors through the customs and traditions our ancestors observed to protect themselves, their livestock and their crops from witches around the time when the days begin to shorten and the nights grow longer. In the past, this period was known as Stridžie dni (Days of Witches) and lasted from late November until the winter solstice. Find out more here.
A Jack-o'-lantern. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Autumn in the High Tatras
With the winter closure of trails leading to most peaks and mountain passes in the High Tatras taking effect on 1 November, the next couple of days offer the last opportunity this season to visit peaks such as Kôprovský štít, Rysy, as well as Východná Vysoká and the Priečne sedlo saddle. With the sole exception of Chata pod Rysmi, all other mountain huts will remain open throughout the winter. Before setting off, always check the Mountain Rescue Service website for the latest weather reports and warnings.
ART
Jazz everywhere you look
One of the biggest events of its kind in Central Europe, the Bratislava Jazz Days festival once again brings renowned musicians to the Slovak capital, many of which will be here the first time. Running from 23 to 25 October, you can look forward to three days packed with concerts featuring French electro-swing band Caravan Palace, guitarist Charlie Hunter, Indian bass player Mohini Day, as well as French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. The event will take place at Incheba Expo. For the full programme and tickets, click here.
If Bratislava is too far but you still need your jazz fix, head north to the OravaJazz Festival 2026 in Námestovo. Running from 24 to 25 October, the event once again puts this small northern Slovak town on the jazz map, featuring both Slovak and international artists. Look forward to performances by FERMATA, Pavol Bodnár Trio, DJABE, Jay Kalo Cuban Quintet and others. Find out more here.
Belgian jazz double bassist Philippe Aerts performed during Bratislava Jazz Days. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Discover bryndza
Bryndza, a traditional Slovak soft, crumbly sheep's cheese, is part of the Liptov region's history and identity. This Sunday, the town of Liptovský Mikuláš will celebrate this culinary delicacy. The highlight of the Liptov Bryndza Festival will be a discussion about the cheese's origins, the traditions associated with it, tastings and the protection of the regional variety. Visitors can also look forward to demonstrations of sheep-farming traditions, folklore and crafts, including črpáky (traditional carved wooden drinking vessels), fujara (a long overtone flute) and other items associated with sheep farming. Find out more here.
Bryndza from the village of Liptovské Revúce. (source: TASR)
Music improvisation
If you happen to be in Košice this Friday, don't miss a unique opportunity to attend an autumn concert of KE-FLUX - Košice Improvisation Orchestra. Several musicians will gather to play music at that particular moment without a predetermined scenario. Admission is voluntary, find out more here.
One for miniature enthusiasts
Collectors of model cars, trains, plastic and paper models, and miniatures should not miss Nitra Model 2026 this Saturday. In addition to admiring intricate models, visitors can build their own, learn painting techniques, or purchase unique pieces to add to their collection. Learn more here.
A still from last year's edition of Nitra Model show. (source: TASR)
Learn about the world
The international documentary film festival Jeden svet (One World) has become a fixture of Bratislava's autumn cultural calendar. Its 27th edition once again brings the best engaged films from around the globe, focusing on themes such as human rights, the environment, and migration – as well as offering audiences the chance to meet filmmakers. The event runs from 20 to 25 October at Kino Lumière in Bratislava. Learn more here.
Discover modern design
Known for his brutalist style, Vladimír Dědeček is considered one of the most significant Slovak architects of the 20th century. The 17th edition of Bratislava Design Weekend, running from 23 to 25 October, will take place in one of his lesser-known buildings in the capital's Rača borough. For the first time in many years, his Družstevný dom (Cooperative House) will open its doors to the public as part of the event. Visitors can look forward to presentations by more than 50 Slovak and international designers. Click here for more details.
A still from a previous edition of the festival. (source: TASR)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
14-26 October: Bratislava in Movement dance festival in Bratislava
23 October: Lantern procession in Devín
24-25 October: Urban Taste city food festival in Košice
29-31 October: Game Days video game developer conference in Košice
29 October - 1 November: Tirnavia Ice Cup ice skating competition in Trnava
30 October - 1 November: School of Magic 2 at Smolenice Castle
30 October - 24 November: Bratislava Mozart Festival in Bratislava
31 October: The haunting of Hlohovec Castle event in Hlohovec
31 October: Deadline festival in Košice
2-30 November: Month of Photography in Bratislava
3-17 November: Freedom Festival in Bratislava
5-7 November: Bez Hraníc travel festival in Martin
6-7 November: Festival mladého vína wine festival in Bratislava
7 November: Wine cellar day in Trnava
12-14 November: HoryZonty adventure film festival in Trenčín
21 November: Night of Theatres festival across Slovakia
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO CHECK OUT: The historic English-style park surrounding the manor house in Malinovo, a village near Bratislava, has reopened to the public after extensive restoration. The project involved restoring the park's greenery, paths and infrastructure while preserving the character of the protected historic site.
WHAT TO KNOW: To this day, we admire the skill of miners, the Gothic centres of central Slovak towns, the monuments of European importance in the historic Spiš. It is all a snippet of the legacy of the Carpathian Germans, who lived alongside Slovaks for more than 800 years. Yet, their post-war expulsion that remains little discussed.
WHAT TO READ: She fell in love with Slovakia — even getting snowed in for five days couldn't change that. Despite a memorable winter experience, Katrina Hande is now considering a move to the country.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: Bearing witness to the bygone era of steam locomotives, which required vast amounts of water to operate, more than 40 railway water towers can be found across Slovakia. Most have fallen into disrepair, but some of these industrial heritage monuments have been given a new lease of life.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Could tiny oil droplets one day help deliver cancer drugs? Award-winning biophysicist Zuzana Garaiová is exploring the potential of nanoemulsions made with pomegranate seed oil as future drug carriers.
That's it for this week. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.