An Insider’s Guide To The Top 11 Best Festivals in Albania

The festivals in Albania are held throughout the year for various reasons. Mostly, to celebrate Albania’s history, natural beauty and diverse culture.

But there are some interesting meanings behind each marked date that I’m sure you’ll love and even be surprised by.

So, in this blog post, I’ve shared a list of the top 11 best festivals in Albania you should know about. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways 

• Partake in countless festivals in Albania held throughout the year celebrating Albania’s locality, culture, history, art, music and tradition.
• The most popular summer festivals in Albania include Zâ Fest, Gjirokastër Folk Festival, Dita e Verës, Kruja Mountain Festival, Kala Festival and UNUM Festival.
• The most popular winter festivals in Albania include the Albanian Independence Day and the Berat Olive Oil and Wine Festival.
• You can participate in debates, music festivals, wine tastings, workshops, and artistic activities at Albanian festivals.

1. Albanian InDEPENDENCE DAY

Celebrated on November 28th,  Albanian Independence Day marks its commemoration of the Albanian Declaration of Independence. The country was free of the Ottoman Empire’s control after various struggles and became an independent country.

• When: November 28th
• What Season: Winter festival in Albania

2. Zâ Fest

The Zâ Fest is a newer, summer festival held in Albania. It focuses on promoting Albanian culture, spiritual traditions and nature. There are various outdoor activities and workshops that I came across when partaking in the fest.

Zâ means “voice” in the Gheg dialect, symbolising the focus on artistic expression. You can find a range of polyphonic and folk music genres, as well as contemporary genres like indie and jazz. Dance your heart out while spreading environmental awareness in the Albanian Alps while celebrating the Zâ Fest.

• When: July or August
• What Season: Summer

3. Berat Olive Oil and Wine Festival

The Berat City Festival – or Berat Olive Oil and Wine Festival is a winter festival in Albania. It is held in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Berat, celebrating the local olive oil and wine production.

While I haven’t participated in this festival, if you are a foodie or love local Albanian dishes, it is a GREAT event to attend! Moreover, you can enjoy cultural performances and local music to dance along to.

• When: November
• What Season: Winter Festival

4. Gjirokastër Folk Festival

Every 5 years, one of the most prominent cultural events is held in Albania. Bringing together people from various folk groups, the festival is held in Gjirokastër. Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-protected town, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania.

Full of dancing, performances, and art locally sourced from the Balkan region, the festival is perfect for any fellow cultural enthusiasts! The first season was held in 1968, and the recent one was held in 2023.

• When: Depends on the season
• What Season: Can be summer or winter

5. Dita e Verës (or SUMMER DAY)

Dita e Verës, or Summer Day, is a traditional pagan holiday celebrated in Albania starting in the beautiful city of Elbasan. On this day, people from all over come together to welcome spring and celebrate.

Bonfires are lit in yards to “drive away the winter season and strengthen the sun.” Moreover, the Diana of Cermenika shrine celebrates Diana – the goddess of nature. The main rituals include washing your eyes with summer flowers and boiling eggs on the night of 13th March.

Additionally, if you are a foodie, enjoy the festival-exclusive Ballokume, a dessert unique to Elbasan.

• When: 14th March
• What Season: Spring

6. Kruja Mountain Festival

The Kruja Mountain Festival is an adventure-based festival held annually in Kruja. It is located on Mount Kruja in Central Albania. It is a vibrant celebration of outdoor activities, Albanian culture and historic movements.

It features several cultural and folk performances, and you can explore various artisanal crafts and local cuisine. Perhaps one of my favourite things about this festival is that it brings Kruja’s natural landmarks and landscapes the attention it deserves.

• When: July to September (Varies)
• What Season: Summer

Related: If you’re planning on visiting Kruja, here are some ideas on how to spend a day there.

7. Kala festival

Held in Dhërmi, Albanian Riviera, the Kala Festival is a week-long electronic music festival set upon the breathtaking beaches of Albanian Riviera. International artists and DJs bring you and your loved ones together through nothing but music!

If you have a deep love for electronic music, including EDM, hear the bass drop as you admire Albania ahead and enjoy one of the best summer festivals in Albania!

• When: June
• What Season: Mid-summer

8. Tirana International Film Festival

Featuring a rich program, the Tirana International Film Festival is an annual cinematic event held in Tirana, Albania. Being hosted for 22 years, it’s not a popular event that brings together filmmakers and cinematic directors from all over the world.

Created in 2003, TIFF aims to make Albania a cultural centre of independent cinema with international movie productions as its centre. Moreover, the festival gets 1000s of submissions annually from 120 countries through online portals. The festival features:

• Feature films
• Documentaries
• PerspecTIFFs
• Animations
• Student Films
• Balkna Filmes
• Video Art and Experimental Films
• Kids’ Theat

9. unum festival

A specified techno and electronic music festival based in Shëngjin. The festival is a mixture of eclectic and beachside settings featuring world-class DJs playing all kinds of songs!

If partying is on your bucket list while visiting Albania, this one’s an event you shouldn’t miss! The festival welcomes you with the beautiful sights of Shëngjin and soul-filling music.

• When: June
• What Season: Summer

10. Dokufest

The Dokufest – or Prizren Documentary Film Festival, is an Albanian-centric Film Festival held in Prizren. Though it is not based in Albania, it draws many people from that region to come and celebrate.

Plus, it is one of the most respected documentary, art and film festivals throughout the Balkans. It features various local and international filmmakers and directors showcasing their talent.

Looking to participate in a workshop? Consider yourself lucky! Dokufest also holds several workshops and debates to promote individual up-and-coming directors and artists.

• When: August
• What Season: Summer

11. Carnival of Korça

A celebration of tradition, the Carnival of Korça is held in Eastern Albania, more specifically in Korça. As a vibrant event, it beautifully gathers art, entertainment, and tradition, drawing in visitors and locals who are looking to explore Albania’s beauty and rich cultural heritage.

One of my favourite highlights of the carnival is the grand parade. You can dress in decorative costumes and wear masks to hide your identity. As far as music is concerned, a mixture of live bands and folk groups come together to play traditional Albanian music.

As a community-driven event, you will almost always find cultural organisations and local businesses contributing to the festival. An interesting fact about this festival is that its roots are tied to a mixture of Christian celebrations and pagan rituals, marking the change of the season.

• When: February
• What Season: Winter

Conclusion

Albania’s rise to popularity as an eco-tourism-centric country has made it a cultural and festival hub. Inviting international DJs, filmmakers, artists, and performers from all over the world, these festivals in Albania are the perfect way to spend your time there!

Don’t miss out on the fun and make good memories! Also, don’t forget to let me know what you think about these places in the comments!