Be part of it

In 2026, the Slovak city of Trenčín holds the title of European Capital of Culture. What does that mean? Unused spaces are transformed into cultural stages, the streets belong to people, and a programme you would normally expect in major European capitals is happening right here — in a city on the Váh River beneath a medieval castle.

Throughout the year, hundreds of events await you: exhibitions, festivals, theatre performances, community projects and European premieres. Come and see how culture is transforming the city.

What Awaits You in Trenčín

We have selected events that are truly worth the trip.

Yasuaki Onishi (JP): Crystallized Silence

Yasuaki Onishi (JP) Opening: 6 February 2026, 6:00 PM Duration: 7 February – 24 May 2026 Venue: Trenčín Castle, Barbora Palace – Knights’ Hall Exhibition partner: EU–Japan Fest What happens when a wor…

Festival of light art in public space: Light Art Festival

Experience the Light You Can Hear After a successful first edition, the Light Art Festival returns to Trenčín. During two April evenings, the city centre will host nine light installations and a speci…

Korzo Soblahovská

For one day, Soblahovská belongs to people. No cars – instead a street filled with a market, music, food and a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere. Come for a walk, stop by, sit down and discover what a…

Performative action by Alexandra Pirici (RO)

Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Memorial to the Martyred in Brezina Forest Park, Trenčín Performative action On 18 June at 7:00 p.m., we will present Alexandra Pirici’s performative action Invisib…

Splanekor 2.0

What happens when homemade boats return to the Váh River? Splanekor 2.0 brings back a legendary event where creativity, humor, movement, and summer vibes by the water come together. For one day, the V…

Garage

Garáž will rock Trenčín for the sixth time. You can look forward to emerging music, a rich accompanying program for all age groups, and excellent street food. What did Garáž look like last year? Check…

Month of Author Readings

This summer, Trenčín will once again become a place of exceptional literary encounters and the discovery of new stories. Thanks to the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026 project, our city will t…

At the table

A festival about people, food, and everything in between Take a seat at a long shared table and experience concerts, discussions, and films revolving around food. Because at the table, we do more than…

Exhibition GLOCAL EQUALITY AND HOSPITALITY (invalidated ideas?)

Venue: Župný dom, Mierové námestie 46, Trenčín Duration: August 8 - December 7, 2026 Opening: August 7, 2026 Curators: Edit András and Ilona Németh Exhibition architect: Zbyněk Baladrán In the Communi…

Hydraulic Tongues

An installation by artists Nomeda Urbonas and Gediminas Urbonas that transforms firefighting equipment into a playful work of art. Created in collaboration with the local community of volunteer firefi…

Video Projection on the City Tower by Krzysztof Wodiczko (PL/US)

World-renowned artist Krzysztof Wodiczko will create a new site-specific work for Trenčín in the form of a large-scale video projection on the City Tower. The work uses voice, image, and public space …

Opening of the pavilions by the Woven collective and the opening of the interactive installation by Mahalie H. Richards (UK)

Public Escapades is a project that aims to enhance the natural areas along the Váh River, specifically the Aluvium and Trenčiansky Luh. Both riverside locations are currently undergoing revitalisation…

Children’s Theatre Performance: Teatr Klinika Lalek (PL) – Gulliver’s Travels

A family performance that works just as well for adults: a large puppet, a big story, and plenty of imagination under the open sky. A Polish ensemble brings a format that is accessible, yet visually s…

Fiesta Festival

The cultural summer will culminate in the opening of Trenčín’s new symbol – the Fiesta Bridge. In September, we will connect riverbanks and people through theatre, music, children’s and sports activit…

Altofest

Altofest is a human-specific experimental sociality project based on proximity, gift, and hospitality values. It is conceived as an act of artistic and political resistance "to give rise to" a large a…

Sounds of Democracy: Velvet

More information coming soon. Thank you for your curiosity.

Full Trenčín 2026 Programme

From January to December, more than 300 events await you — exhibitions, concerts, festivals, theatre performances and community projects. Something for everyone with a desire to explore.

How It Began

In 2026, Trenčín opens itself to the world. The opening weekend launched a year filled with culture. Take a look at what those three February days looked like, when the entire city transformed into one giant stage.

Curiosity cannot be stopped. Come and experience it for yourself.

Awakening Curiosity.