ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days 2026

The main aim of the ÚĽUV MASTER CRAFTSMEN DAYS festival is to show the general public what is most beautiful about craftsmanship – the process of breathing life into a folk art product. Over the course of 36 years, the ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days have grown from a small one-day event into one of the largest craft festivals in Slovakia, and for the craftspeople themselves as well as visitors, these face-to-face encounters in the heart of Bratislava have become an integral part of the height of summer. This will be no different during the weekend of 5 and 6 September 2026, which will once again be dedicated to a magnificent celebration of human ingenuity, skill and craftsmanship. A showcase of mastery in numerous craft techniques and traditional products will take place on Primate´s Square and Main Square in Bratislava’s Old Town.

The ÚĽUV School of Crafts, which is highly regarded worldwide – and was therefore included in UNESCO’s List of Best Practices for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the end of 2024 – returns to the festival every year to showcase the diverse range of its year-round courses. In St George’s Courtyard within the Primate´s Palace, children will be guided by experienced instructors into the world of craft workshops – wire-working, woodcarving, textile techniques, ceramics and glass painting. Under the auspices of the ÚĽUV School of Crafts, the courtyard will be transformed into a creative space complemented by a relaxation and play area, where people of all ages can enjoy time together.

The central theme of this year’s festival is WIRECRAFT, which was inscribed in 2019 under the title ‘Drotárstvo – wire craft and art’ on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
And so, in addition to the accompanying music and dance programme, the voice of a real tinker will ring out from the stage on Franciscan Square, offering: “Patching pots, wire-repairing!”

Welcome to the 36th edition of the ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days 2026 and soak up some positive energy in the company of the master craftspeople! We are confident that you will leave this festival – which showcases the rich activities of ÚĽUV on many levels – feeling delighted.

Free entry.

Event title: ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days 2026
Event organiser: Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV)
Venue: Bratislava – Primates Square, Main Square, Franciscan Square, St George’s Courtyard
Event dates: 5–6 September 2026 | Saturday, Sunday | 10.00 – 18.00

The event is held under the auspices of the Slovak National Commission for UNESCO.

Event partners