LUV Fest – Love, Art, and Wandering through Ljubljana

This year’s edition of LUV fest will be the largest to date, bringing together more than 100 partners and offering a rich, curated programme of content co-created by cultural institutions, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, and creators of different generations. The festival continues to emphasise the accessibility of art in public space and the intertwining of artistic disciplines – from classical and contemporary art, exhibition projects, music, and performance to family-oriented and social programmes, as well as accompanying culinary and retail offerings integrated into everyday city life.

The City as a Gallery

The central art installation Brstenje (Sprouting) by Nika Erjavec, recipient of the OHO Group Award 2025 for young visual artists, will be installed on Čufarjeva Ulica Street. It symbolically represents the awakening of nature, the city, and its people, and establishes a dialogue between art and the urban landscape. The traditional light installation Brbotanje (Burbling) by Matej Bizovičar will this year illuminate Gornji Trg Square, Breg, Kratka steza, Obrežna steza, and the junction of Gallusovo nabrežje and Stiška Ulica Street. Street lamps in Park Zvezda will glow as Cvetilke (Bloomlights), adorned with tailored pieces of geotextile painted by Ljubljana primary school pupils with motifs of spring and fairy-tale flowers, while on Wolfova ulica the birdhouses by Tjaša Peserl Dvoršak will once again come to life.

A Space for Great Love Stories

One of the most powerful love stories in contemporary art, presented in the exhibition ART VITAL – 12 years of Ulay/Marina Abramović at Cukrarna Gallery, can be experienced through special guided experiences for two, designed for couples and for anyone wishing to encounter art in an intimate and personal way. The theme of fateful love will also be explored on the stage of the Ljubljana Opera in Wagner’s musical drama Tristan und Isolde, one of the most influential and tragic love stories in the history of music. Visitors will be able to walk through the city’s love stories on themed guided tours Ljubljana LUV Stories, discover the history of Fužine Castle through stories of fateful women at the Museum of Architecture and Design, and delve into love stories in art at the National Gallery during the special guided tour Fateful Gazes.

A Programme for All Generations and Diverse Communities

LUV fest addresses all generations and diverse forms of community – from individuals, couples, and singles to families with children – creating space for shared experiences, connection, and the celebration of love in all its forms. The programme includes numerous creative workshops, such as making traditional honey‑dough hearts (lectova srca), heart-shaped chocolate lollipops, Valentine’s ravioli, and a clay matcha set, as well as writing secret love messages at the National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia and making gregorčki at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum. This year again, the festival opens the studios in the courtyard at Gornji trg 24, where fashion designer Nika Ravnik, jewellery designer Martina Obid Mlakar, and sculptors Dušan Tršar, Mojca Smerdu and Dragica Čadež will present their work.

Special attention is given to young people: in cooperation with Mladi zmaji, the festival encourages in-person encounters through events for singles and “dates without swiping”, emphasising the importance of authentic connection without filters and algorithms.

Couples can enjoy interactive experiences such as Love Test at House of Illusions, a Valentine’s retro gaming evening at the Computer Museum, and a creative project at the International Centre of Graphic Arts, where couples can jointly create an International Women’s Day illustrated collage.

One of the central events will again be the light and ambient installation Ana Srčna, prepared by the Ana Monro Theatre in Miklošič Park, inviting both children and adults to stroll among hundreds of fire and light elements shaped as symbols of love. A special festival surprise will be presented by Nebo Show Restaurant with A Wedding with a Twist, featuring all the elements of a real wedding – but without an actual marriage commitment.

The festival will conclude on 12 March, on St. Gregory's Day. The day before, the traditional event Welcoming of Spring in Trnovo will take place along the Gradaščica River, organised by Staroljubljanski zavod za kulturo, reviving the old custom of floating wooden boats with lit candles as a symbol of farewell to winter and the arrival of the brighter part of the year.

LUV fest in the Rhythm of Everyday City Life

The festival is also shaped by numerous Ljubljana hoteliers, restaurateurs, and retailers, who prepare special hotel packages, culinary offerings, and local LUV fest products, extending the festival into the city’s everyday rhythm. At the Tourist Information Centre, a special love mailbox will be installed, where visitors can leave a short thought, memory, or personal message dedicated to Ljubljana.

LUV fest and Tourism Deseasonalisation

In its fourth edition, LUV fest 2026 further strengthens its role as one of the city’s key cultural events. With its strong urban identity and diverse programme, it appeals to residents, visitors, and cultural stakeholders, positioning Ljubljana as an open stage for love, art, and encounters. Over the past three years, it has also established itself as an effective mechanism for tourism deseasonalisation and the revitalisation of urban space during the winter period, as confirmed by overnight stay growth data. The number of overnight stays in February and March increased by 59% from 2022 – the year before LUV fest – to the third edition of LUV fest in 2025, while overall annual growth in overnight stays during this period amounted to 44% (source: SURS).

The full LUV fest programme is available on a dedicated website of Ljubljana Tourism.