Maribor hosts the largest Slovenian open-air celebration

On 11^th of November, the 36^th annual St.Martin’s Day Celebration (at the Trg Leona Štuklja Square) is taking place in Maribor. The largest open-air celebration of its kind anywhere in Slovenia impresses congress and business guests to Maribor with rich wine and culinary offerings, the traditional christening of the must, home-made cuisine, excellent Styrian wines, rich catering offerings, and unforgettable entertainment with numerous live music performances. On this occasion, every year 20,000 visitors from Slovenia and abroad arrive to the Slovenian Styrian capital.

The programme starts at 11am with a welcoming speech by Mayor Saša Arsenovič and continues all-day-long until late evening hours. Some of the highlights are:

The celebration of St. Martin, the saint who transforms must into wine, represents the symbolic end of all the winemakers’ efforts.

The procession of wine queens, harvesters, folklorists, farm women, rafters and representatives of wine orders and associations walks around the city centre and joins the celebrations, bringing the autumn produce and food as a symbolic tribute to autumn.

People from Maribor’s nearby towns and villages will participate at the ceremonial blessing of the must. In addition, celebrations are accompanied by famous musicians and musical ensembles. Local vinegrowers and winemakers, tourist farms and other restaurants on their stalls provide guests with food and drinks.

On this occasion, every guest to the festival who will show a ticket on a public bus, will have free ride anywhere around the city. This way the city contributes to its green and sustainable policies.