Festivals like the Christmas Festival, the Easter Festival, the Shakespeare Festival, the Intensity Festival and the Martisoare bring life to Craiova. Every few months, a big event takes place, and during these times the city transforms, becoming more lively and charming. The city is decorated with lamps and lights and gets cheerful colors. This article is about interesting events in Craiova, but I also wrote an article about places to visit in Craiova.

Craiova is an interesting Romanian city located in the southwest of Romania. In recent years, it is most popular for its Christmas Fair and attracts many tourists from Romania, but also many from Bulgaria, Serbia and other countries, since they have invested a lot in branding the Christmas Fair, with a unique approach and a different style. In general, Christmas Fairs in this part of Europe are something new and therefore more interesting compared to Europe, both for the countries and for the people.

Craiova Christmas Market

I heard that last year’s market was good, but this year is even better. They installed two million lights and put a lot of effort into organizing everything with the “Beauty and the Beast” theme. The decorations were designed to look stunning and attractive. On the opening day (night), Craiova was so crowded that it was difficult to pass through the market.

The main attraction was near the Mercur Center and in front of the Dolj County Prefecture building. People started gathering early, waiting for the lights to come on at 6:40pm (not sure why they chose that particular time). As the countdown began, everyone joined in, counting down the last 10 seconds. When the lights came on, the entire market lit up, followed by music that signaled the next attraction.

One of the highlights was Santa Claus “riding” the wire from the roof of the Mercur Center to the building across the road. At the same time, massive fireworks lit up the sky, adding extra sparkle to the atmosphere. The market was full of people drinking wine or hot chocolate, enjoying local or Greek food or just walking around. There was also an ice rink, where both children and some adults had fun on the ice.

Later, the crowd moved to another part of the market where a concert stage was set up. I was told that the performer was “the most popular Romanian Christmas caroler”.

Mărțișor in Craiova

This is an amazing tradition that is common mostly in Romania (and R.Moldova), and Bulgaria. Its local Romanian tradition about women and flowers dating from the Roman Empire.. During the February and March streets in Craiova are full of flowers. This tradition is coming from Romans celebrating New Year in March.

According to tradition, women should be gifted with flowers or other similar gifts, like small hand-made gifts in ways of butter or flowers. So you will need to find or prepare flowers or gifts for your female co-worker, for your teacher, mother, sister and so on. This tradition is starting before March, in the beginning of February actually, so even before Velentinovo (February 14) streets are already full of flowers, and its lasting until the end of March.

Shakespeare festival

.If you’re in Craiova during spring, it’s a great opportunity to catch some performances. For over 30 years, Craiova, Romania, has hosted one of the most important Shakespeare festivals in the world. Whether on the streets or on stage, in city squares, parks and former industrial spaces, Shakespeare’s plays come to life and become one with the city. Founded in 1994, the Craiova International Shakespeare Festival is the Romanian home of theatre productions directed by the world’s greatest theatre directors, such as Peter Brook, Eugenio Barba, Yukio Ninagawa, Robert Wilson, Lev Dodin, Declan Donnellan, Silviu Purcărete, Eimuntas Nekrošius, Michael Pennington, Edward Hall, Richard Schechner, Elizabeth Le Compte, Thomas Ostermeier, Yuriy Butusov, Krzysztof Warlikowski, Oskaras Korsunovas and Robert Lepage.

Easter Festival

During the spring, Craiova hosts the Easter Festival, celebrating Easter. The venue is Romanescu Park, which is my favorite place in Craiova and a favorite place for many others. The Easter Festival also includes musical performers.

IntenCity Festival

This is also one of the most popular events in Craiova. It takes place during the peak of summer at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Every year it attracts the most popular musicians from all over the world, lasts for several days and there are many festivals taking place in the city at that time of year.