🔔 Latest News — 2026 Easter Fair
- Apr 3, 2026: Official opening — Fairy Tales Craiova Easter Fair
- Apr 20, 2026: Easter Night — special program 22:00–02:00, concerts and fireworks
- May 2026: Last days — reduced prices for premium activities, balloons sold-out
🔔 Latest News — 2026 Easter Fair
- Apr 3, 2026: Official opening — Fairy Tales Craiova Easter Fair
- Apr 20, 2026: Easter Night — special program 22:00–02:00, concerts and fireworks
- May 2026: Last days — reduced prices for premium activities, balloons sold-out
2026 Edition — Fairy Tales: A World of Stories, April 3rd – May 3rd, Nicolae Romanescu Park
The Craiova Easter Fair has grown from a local event into one of the most appreciated and award-winning spring festivals in Europe. Held annually in Nicolae Romanescu Park — Craiova's green jewel — the fair transforms 96 hectares of nature into a fairytale setting, with spectacular installations, thousands of spring flowers, and activities for all ages.
Each edition has its own theme, designed by local artists and scenographers with incredible attention to detail. From Alice in Wonderland to Snow White, from the underwater world to classic European fables — Craiova manages to surprise and move its visitors year after year. The event attracts over 500,000 visitors, making Craiova one of Europe's top Easter destinations.
Video Tour — Past Editions of the Easter Fair
Discover the magic through videos from previous years
Fairy Tales — A World of Stories
🪄 April 3 – May 3, 2026 · Current EditionThe 2026 edition is the most ambitious in the fair's history. Under the theme Fairy Tales — A World of Stories, Romanescu Park is completely transformed: large-scale medieval prop castles, giant characters from classic European fables, light installations that make the lake sparkle, and Hollywood-style scenography — all set within the park's incomparable natural beauty.
✦ Main Attractions of the 2026 Edition
- Cinderella's Castle — an 8-meter structure with a lighted turret, pumpkin carriage, and animated characters
- Beauty and the Beast Roses — a 200 sqm floral installation with suspended red roses and a magic mirror
- Lake Holograms — a unique holographic show in Romania, projected onto the lake's surface every evening (9:00 PM)
- Captive Balloon Flight — at 30 meters height, offering a panoramic view of the entire park and city
- Thousands of Tulips and Spring Flowers — 50,000 bulbs planted specifically for the fair
- Kids' Zone — workshops for traditional egg painting, jewelry making, glass painting, and theater plays
- Festive Horse Carriage — Baroque-style rides through the alleys with period costumes
- Main Stage — daily live concerts, ranging from traditional folk to jazz and classical music
The lake holograms take place daily at 9:00 PM and last approximately 20 minutes. Reserve a spot on the lakeshore at least 30 minutes in advance — viewing areas fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Activities and Attractions for the Whole Family
🎠 Something for every ageChildren's Workshops
Egg painting, clay bunny crafting, Easter origami — daily 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Theater Shows
Outdoor puppet theater, magic shows, and clowning — weekends at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Live Concerts
Folk, jazz, and classical music on the main stage — daily 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Balloon Rides
Captive balloons at 30m height — mandatory booking, limited daily slots
Boats on the Lake
Boat rides on the park lake with views of the evening holograms — 20 lei/hour
Magic Photo Corners
10+ themed photo corners with props included — ideal for families and couples
Craft Fair
Ceramics, painted eggs, natural products, local art, and handmade souvenirs
Petting Zoo
Lambs, bunnies, and chicks — themed Easter petting zoo for the little ones
Easter Street Food and Traditional Delights
🍽️ Oltenian and International GastronomyThe Easter Fair brings a generous gastronomic offer, with an emphasis on traditional Oltenian cuisine and classic Easter dishes. Dozens of stands and food trucks are strategically distributed throughout the park, ensuring a good meal is never far away.
🍴 What you'll find at the fair
- Traditional Cozonac and Pasca — baked in wood-fired ovens, using old Oltenian family recipes
- Spit-roasted Lamb — the number one Easter specialty, slow-cooked over an open fire
- Red and Naturally Dyed Eggs — colored with beets, onion skins, and spinach — a living tradition
- Sarmale and Oltenian Stews — warm, savory, and affordable home-style cooking
- Spring Lemonade and Spiced Mulled Wine — refreshing seasonal drinks
- Doughnuts, Cotton Candy, and Crepes — classic fair sweets for the little ones
- Honey, Bee Products, and Caramelized Walnuts — from local producers in the Dolj region
The best dishes sell out quickly, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Arrive early (10:00–12:00) to find all stands fully stocked. The seating area is extensive — you'll find spots under the shade of the park's centuries-old trees.
Retrospective of Past Editions
📖 A short history of magic — since 20182024 — Snow White
The dwarfs' cottage, 4m figurines, pastel decors, and an artificial ice castle. Visitor record: 520,000.
2023 — Alice in Wonderland
5m Alice figurines, giant clocks in trees, surreal atmosphere. Awarded "Best Easter Event in Eastern Europe."
2022 — Underwater World
Giant sharks and jellyfish in trees, artificial corals, simulated bioluminescence. First edition with captive balloons.
2021 — Magic Safari
Prop giraffes, elephants, and lions; the savannah in the middle of the park. Return after the pandemic break.
2019 — The Snow Queen
Ice palace, giant crystals, artificial snow tunnel. First edition with holography.
2018 — The Blooming Garden
The fair's inaugural edition — simple yet unique in energy. Flowers, giant eggs, and local crafts. The foundation for everything that followed.
🤫 Fun Facts about the Craiova Easter Fair
Awarded at a European level. The 2023 edition, themed "Alice in Wonderland," was recognized as one of the best Easter festivals in Eastern Europe, receiving a mention at the European Best Destinations gala, alongside fairs in Prague and Vienna.
100% Oltenian Scenography. All installations and decors are designed and crafted by visual artists and craft workshops from Craiova and Dolj County. No scenographic components are rented or imported — everything is created locally, year after year.
50,000 bulbs planted annually. The landscaping team plants tens of thousands of tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowers months before the opening, so the park is in full bloom exactly for the inauguration.
Lake holograms are unique in Romania. The holographic projection technology used on the water's surface in Craiova does not exist anywhere else in the country. Introduced in 2019, it has become one of the fair's signature features.
Duration has increased 5-fold. The first edition in 2018 lasted one week. The 2024 edition lasted 30 days. This expansion came as a natural response to public demand — hundreds of thousands of visitors wanted more time to visit.
Assembly takes 3 weeks. The team of scenographers and workers works non-stop for 3 weeks to install the decors. Disassembly takes one week. The park is temporarily partially closed during this period.
📋 Practical Information
🗓️ Period
April 3 – May 3, 202630 days of festival
Including Easter Sunday (April 20, 2026)
🕙 Daily Schedule
10:00 – 22:00Daily, no days off
Lake Holograms: 21:00 (daily)
💰 Rates
Entry: Free
Balloon flight: by reservation
Workshops: 20–50 lei/person
📍 Location
Nicolae Romanescu Park1A N. Romanescu Blvd, Craiova
Main park entrance
🅿️ Parking
Free parking on Romanescu Blvd — limited. Recommended: use public transport during weekends.
♿ Accessibility
Main paths are accessible to people with disabilities. Adapted areas for strollers and wheelchairs.
To avoid the crowds: Monday–Thursday, between 10:00–15:00 — the park is quiet and you can photograph the decors without the crowd. For the best atmosphere: Saturday evening, 19:00–22:00 — concerts, lake holograms, a thousand lights, and unforgettable energy. Avoid weekends near Easter if you don't tolerate large crowds.
🚌 How to get to the Easter Fair
🚕 Bolt / Uber / Taxi
~10 minutes from Craiova city center, affordable rates. The most convenient option, especially in the evening after the holograms.
🚌 RAT Public Transport
RAT Craiova lines towards the South area — check the RAT app or local stations. Standard urban ticket applies.
🚶 On foot from center
~25–30 minutes walk from Elca Square or the Civic Center — a pleasant stroll through the residential neighborhood.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, access to the Craiova Easter Fair is completely free. You can visit all installations, decors, and attend the stage performances at no cost. Optional activities — balloon flights, children's workshops, boat rides on the lake — have separate fees, communicated on-site or on the official Craiova City Hall website.
The theme for the 2026 edition is "Fairy Tales — A World of Stories." The decorations are inspired by classic European fables: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and others. Main attractions include the 8-meter Cinderella's Castle, the rose installation from Beauty and the Beast, lake holograms (daily at 9:00 PM), and captive balloon flights.
The holographic show on the Romanescu Park lake takes place daily at 9:00 PM and lasts about 20 minutes. No reservation is required, but you should arrive at the shore at least 30 minutes early for a direct view. The best spots are on the eastern shore of the lake (facing the Suspended Bridge) for a frontal perspective. Avoid weekends if you dislike large crowds.
Several elements make it unique in Romania and appreciated at a European level: (1) The Location — Nicolae Romanescu Park, one of the most beautiful urban parks in Europe; (2) The Scenography — 100% created by local artists with a new theme every year; (3) Lake Holograms — unique in Romania; (4) Duration — 30 days, longer than any other Easter fair in the country; (5) Free Entry — accessible to everyone.
The fair attracts between 400,000 and 550,000 visitors annually, according to Craiova City Hall. The 2024 edition saw a record of over 520,000 visitors. People come not only from Craiova and Dolj County, but also from Bucharest, neighboring regions, and countries like Bulgaria and Serbia.
Yes. The main paths of Romanescu Park are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. There are dedicated areas for families — workshops, an Easter petting zoo, and animation theater. Children's workshops are free or have symbolic fees. Public toilets (including accessible ones) are available at multiple points in the park during the fair.