5
Major Festivals
100+
Artists at IntenCity
380+
Shakespeare Events 2024
20
Countries at Puppets
1994
First Shakespeare Edition

The Largest Festival in Southern Romania

Craiova's Festivals

Craiova has become one of the most vibrant cultural destinations in Europe — with festivals that hold world records and attract hundreds of thousands of spectators annually.

IntenCity Festival Craiova — main stage at Ion Oblemenco Stadium with tens of thousands of spectators ✦ 4th Edition — June 26–29, 2025

🎶 Music Festival · Multi-genre · 4 days

IntenCity Festival Craiova

The first festival in Romania to bring together several iconic musical styles in a single experience. Organized by the Craiova Romanian Opera with the support of the City Hall, IntenCity has grown rapidly since its debut in 2022 to become the largest festival in the south of the country, with clear ambitions to conquer Europe as well.

The 2025 edition — the fourth — brought 100+ artists to Craiova across two stages: the Main Stage at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium (50,000 seats) and the electronic stage at the Polyvalent Hall. Headliners: J Balvin (who entered the stage in a car!), Bebe Rexha, Paris Hilton, G-Eazy, TYGA, Foster The People, Meduza, Timmy Trumpet, Loredana, B.U.G. Mafia, and many others. A special surprise: students who got a perfect 10 on their Baccalaureate received a free VIP pass.

📅 June (annual, 4 days) 🏟️ Ion Oblemenco Stadium 🎸 100+ artists 💎 400 RON / 4 days
Full IntenCity Page

2025 Edition — Confirmed Lineup

IntenCity 2025 Artists

J Balvin
Latino / Reggaeton
Bebe Rexha
Pop / R&B
Paris Hilton
DJ / House
G-Eazy
Hip-Hop
TYGA
Hip-Hop
Meduza
House / Electronic
Foster The People
Indie Pop
Timmy Trumpet
Electronic
Loredana
RO Pop
B.U.G. Mafia
RO Hip-Hop
Eran Hersh
Techno / DJ
+ 89 artists
All genres
🎟️ IntenCity 2026 Tickets

Tickets for the 2025 edition cost 400 RON for a 4-day general pass and 800 RON for VIP. Available at craiovaintencity.ro, iticket.ro, and at the Craiova Romanian Opera box office. Children under 10 enter for free if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

Culture All Year Round

All Festivals in Craiova

World-renowned theater, giant puppets from 20 countries, medieval knights, and traditional costumes — Craiova has a festival for every soul.

Shakespeare International Festival Craiova — theater performance on the stage of the Marin Sorescu National Theatre International Theater 📅 May 21–31, 2026 🏆 World Record
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The Largest Shakespeare Festival in the World World Record Academy 2024 · 380+ events · 70+ venues

Shakespeare International Festival

Since 1994 — 30+ years Every 2 years 7 halls + street

Founded in 1994, recognized as the most important Shakespeare-themed festival in the world and the largest by number of performances. The 2024 anniversary edition (30 years) established the World Record with 380+ events in 70+ locations. Some of the biggest names in world directing have graced the festival stage: Robert Wilson, Peter Brook, Declan Donnellan, Robert Lepage, Lev Dodin. The 2026 edition — scheduled for May 21–31 — in partnership with the Avignon Festival.

Discover Shakespeare Festival
Puppets Occupy Street Festival Craiova — parade of 5m giant puppets on the city streets Street Theater 📅 Aug 25 – Sep 1 (annual) 🥈 #2 in Europe

Puppets Occupy Street

Since 2014 400+ events 20 countries Free Entry

The second most important puppet and animation art festival in Europe, after Avignon. For 8 days, Craiova becomes the world capital of street theater: 200+ private companies from 20 countries, 400+ events in 20 unconventional spaces — from the old center to Romanescu Park and the Botanical Garden. The absolute star: the giant puppet parade — characters 5 meters high and 13 meters long, created uniquely for each edition by scenographer Oana Micu. Everything is free for spectators!

Discover Puppets Occupy Street
Mihai Viteazul Medieval Festival Craiova — historical reenactments and cavalry shows in the city center Medieval Festival 📅 July (annual)

Mihai Viteazul Medieval Festival

Mihai Viteazul Square Historical Reenactments Free Entry

Relive history and feel the legend of the unifier of the Romanian Principalities! The festival brings back to life the atmosphere of medieval Craiova from the 16th–17th centuries: knights in armor, reenactments of the battles of Mihai Viteazul, medieval craftsmen, jugglers, archers, and troubadours. During the festival, Romanian history gains color and sound before your eyes, with daily cavalry shows and dramatic moments from the life of Oltenia's most famous voivode. An unforgettable event for families and history lovers.

Discover Medieval Festival
Craiova Wears IE Festival — thousands of people in traditional Oltenian costumes on the city streets Romanian Tradition 📅 June 24 — IE Day

Craiova Wears IE

June 24 — Universal Day of the Romanian IE Old Center Free Entry

Tradition, identity, and Romanian pride — Craiova Wears IE celebrates, on June 24 (Universal Day of the Romanian IE), the intangible cultural heritage of the traditional Oltenian costume. Thousands of Craiova residents and tourists wear the Romanian blouse (IA) and take to the streets to participate in the parade, traditional embroidery workshops, folk costume exhibitions, and folk music concerts. An event that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of Romanian culture, passing on the pride of belonging to a nation with such a rich tradition to younger generations.

Discover IE Festival
💡 Plan your visit around a festival

The busiest period for festivals is May–September. If you can choose only one time, we recommend August — Puppets Occupy Street (Aug 25–Sep 1) overlaps with IntenCity (June is the most intense) and before the Christmas Market in November. Book your hotel at least 2–3 months in advance for festival weekends — spots disappear fast!

Plan Your Visit

Craiova Festivals Calendar 2026

May
21–31

Shakespeare International Festival — 15th Edition

Marin Sorescu National Theatre + 70+ locations in Craiova. Avignon 2026 Partners. Tickets from 34 RON/day.

International Theater
Jun
24

Craiova Wears IE — Universal Day of the IA

Old center, parade, and workshops. Free entry. Wear your IA and join thousands of Craiova residents!

Tradition
Jun
25–28

IntenCity Festival Craiova — 5th Edition

Ion Oblemenco Stadium + Polyvalent Hall. International lineup announced in spring. Tickets: craiovaintencity.ro

Music
Jul
TBA

Mihai Viteazul Medieval Festival

Mihai Viteazul Square. Historical reenactments, knights, craftsmen. Free entry.

Medieval
Aug
25–1

Puppets Occupy Street — 13th Edition

Old center, Romanescu Park, Botanical Garden + 20 spaces. 400+ events, free entry.

Street Theater
Nov
~14

Opening of the Craiova Christmas Market 2026

Mihai Viteazul Square. #1 in Europe 2026. Lasts until January 2027. Free entry.

Festive Fair

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Festivals in Craiova

IntenCity Festival is held annually at the end of June. The 2025 edition (the 4th) took place from June 26–29 at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium and the Polyvalent Hall. For the 2026 edition (the 5th), follow official announcements on craiovaintencity.ro — the lineup is usually announced in the spring. Tickets can be purchased online at iticket.ro or at the Craiova Romanian Opera box office.

Yes, officially! The May 2024 edition (the 14th) established the World Record for the largest Shakespeare festival in the world, according to the World Record Academy, with 380+ events in 70+ locations across Craiova over 10 days. The festival has existed since 1994, organized by the Marin Sorescu National Theatre and the Shakespeare Foundation. The 2026 edition, scheduled for May 21–31, will be the 15th edition — in special partnership with the Avignon Festival (Shakespeare Of(f) Avignon).

For the 2025 edition, tickets cost: 4-day General pass — 400 RON; 4-day VIP pass — 800 RON. They can be purchased online at craiovaintencity.ro and iticket.ro, or physically at the Craiova Romanian Opera agency (Polyvalent Hall). Children under 10 enter for free if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Tickets sell out fast — buy during presale for the lowest price!

Yes, all events of the Puppets Occupy Street Festival are completely free for spectators! The giant puppet parade takes place twice: at the opening (August 25) and at the closing of the festival (September 1), along the main route of Craiova. The puppets are created exclusively for each edition — they are 5 meters high and up to 13 meters long, made in their own workshop by scenographer Oana Micu. It is the second largest festival of its kind in Europe, after Avignon.

Hotels in the center of Craiova are the first to fill up during festival periods — book 2–3 months in advance! Recommended: Hotel Parc (near Oblemenco for IntenCity), Hotel Helin (5 stars, center), Hotel Mercure (international standard). Alternatively, Airbnb apartments in the old center are a more affordable option. See the Craiova Accommodation section in our full guide.

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