Snow Castle Festival (Gradovi Kralja Matjaža) 2024 in Slovenia

These creative ice constructions are built right before your eyes at the Snow Castle Festival at Plateau Mitnek, Črna na Koroškem

Dates: January 26–28, 2024

Check out this unique winter experience by attending an annual Snow Castle Building Championship. Here, you can witness professional ice builders making the traditional, weird, pompous, and refined castles, each trying to outdo the other.

Festival Highlights

All the architecture is built around the legendary King Matjaž, who is the main hero of many Slovenian legends and is mainly represented as a king who is incredibly fair and a great defender of his people. Though everything happens in a pleasant atmosphere, the competition between the teams may become pretty intense.

Program

This three-day event typically kicks off with a torch-lit night slalom at the ski resort in Črna na Koroška, where competitors vie for the King Matjaž Cup. The main highlight unfolds on the second day, with teams competing to build snow castles and sculptures inspired by the legend of King Matjaž. The day-long construction is complemented by a vibrant cultural program featuring team presentations, the selection of Alenčica, torch and candle lighting, a fire show, the ceremonial arrival of King Matjaž, awards for the best teams, and musical performances. The event reaches its magical peak in the evening when torches are lit, illuminating the snow castles with a fairy-tale glow.

Activities for Kids

The event is family-friendly, with engaging activities such as puppet shows, treasure hunts, horseback riding, and other fun children's entertainment. Additionally, awards are given for the best artistic and literary works on King Matjaž, created by students from Slovenian primary schools.

Admission

The entrance fee for visitors is €5 for adults aged 15 and up. The Castles of King Matjaž event provides a charming winter weekend in nature, bringing people together, sparking creativity, and celebrating the spirit of King Matjaž. You can attend the festival during the day to watch the creation of these beautiful castles, or you can come at night when all the structures are finished and beautifully illuminated.