As part of the 15th Best of Awards Competition, we proudly celebrate the richness of Slovenian culture — from festivals and museums to literature, theatre, and contemporary art. Together with locals and admirers of Slovenia, we have chosen the very best cultural experiences and institutions that shape the country’s creative identity.
The Best of 2026 – Culture category highlights those who preserve tradition, inspire through art, and bring people together through creativity.
Subcategories for Best of Culture and who was competing?
Cultural Festivals
Festival of Lent, Maribor
Festival Ljubljana
Druga godba Festival, Ljubljana
Lace Festival, Idrija
Prešeren Festival, Kranj
LUV Fest, Ljubljana
Festival of Slovenian Film, Portorož
Days of National Costumes and Clothing Heritage, Kamnik
City of Women Festival, Ljubljana
Jurjevanje, Črnomelj
Slovenian Books by Slovenika, MK & Galarna
David Zupančič: V mejah normale
Bronja Žakelj: Belo se pere na devetdeset
Aljoša Bagola: Ne! je moč
Simon Doma: Gringo Loco
Nik Šrklec: Pozabi vse, kar veš o spominu
Ana Schnabl: September
Anita Ogulin, Vasja Jager: Tako zelo vas imam rada
Minka Gantar: Minkina kuhinja za hormonsko ravnovesje in dolgoživost
Irena Cerar: Svetišča narave – sedem tednov vseživosti
Urška Fartelj, Mateja Grobin Hlavaty: 220 stopinj poševno. Vrt in špajza
New Exhibitions & Experiences by SMS – Association of Slovene Museums
Baroque in Slovenia – National Gallery of Slovenia, National Museum of Slovenia, Slovenian Museum of Christianity, Posavje Museum Brežice, Faculty of Arts – Department of Art History, France Stele Institute ZRC SAZU
Art Vital – Marina Abramović / Ulay – Cukrarna Ljubljana
Water Tower Brežice – Posavje Museum Brežice
Museum of Slovenian Language and Books – Štanjel Castle, Štanjel
Luxury Counts Szapáry – 70 Years Anniversary Exhibition – Pomurje Museum, Murska Sobota
Echo – NLB Contemporary Art Collection in a Dialogue – Muza, Ljubljana
Auersperg Iron Foundry in Dvor (Auerspergova Železarna Dvor) – Žužemberk
Pavilion of Slovenia at La Biennale di Venezia – Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO)
Karst Museum – Notranjska Museum, Postojna
Foto House Pelikan – Museum of Recent History, Celje
Museums
Muzej Velenje
National Museum of Slovenia
MGML – City Museum of Ljubljana
Slovene Ethnographic Museum
MAO – Museum of Architecture and Design
MGLC – International Centre for Graphic Arts
Museum of Modern Art
MSUM – Museum of Contemporary Art
Technical Museum of Slovenia
Natural History Museum of Slovenia
Unique Museums & Galleries
Motorcycle Museum, Vransko
Expano, Murska Sobota
Plečnik House, Ljubljana
House of Experiments, Ljubljana
Military History Park, Pivka
Peca Underworld Museum
Beekeeping Museum, Radovljica
MUZA, Ljubljana
The Oldest Vine Museum, by Maribor Regional Museum, Maribor – https://oldestvinemuseum.si/
Tone Pavček & Lojze Slak Museum, Mirna Peč – https://muzejslakpavcek.si/o-muzeju/
Unique Castle Experience
Predjama Castle
Snežnik Castle
Ptuj Castle
Celje Castle
Škofja Loka Castle
Podčetrtek Castle
Rajhenburg Castle
Žužemberk Castle
Velenje Castle
Ljubljana Castle
Črnomelj Castle
Private Galleries by DGISS
Galerija Fotografija
Galerija Bažato
Galerija Mak
Studio in Galerija Černe
Galerija Hest
Antikvitete Novak
Galerija Družina
Atelje Galerija
Galerija Zala
Galerija Artes
Theaters & Opera
Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana (SNG Opera & Ballet Ljubljana)
Slovene National Theatre Maribor (SNG Maribor)
Prešeren Theatre, Kranj
Maribor National Drama Theatre
Mladinsko Theatre (Slovensko mladinsko gledališče, Ljubljana)
Slovene People’s Theatre Celje (SLG Celje)
Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica (SNG Nova Gorica)
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre (Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana)
Siti Theatre BTC, Ljubljana
Slovene Permanent Theatre in Trieste (Teatro stabile sloveno – Trieste)
Cultural Family Experience & Events
Museum Night, Slovenia
Kurentovanje, Ptuj
Pika’s Festival, Velenje
Tulip Festival, Arboretum Volčji Potok
Christmas Fairytale, Mozirski gaj
Floating Castle Festival, Snežnik Castle
Gregorjevo, Ljubljana
Ana Desetnica, Ljubljana
Kamfest, Kamnik
Carnival, Cerknica
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Škofja Loka Passion Play
Door-to-Door Rounds of Kurenti
Bobbin Lacemaking in Slovenia
Beekeeping in Slovenia – A Way of Life
Lipizzan Horse Breeding Traditions
Midwifery: Knowledge, Skills and Practices
Art of Dry Stone Construction – Knowledge and Techniques
 choosing the best in Slovenia.){kind=link}