The 14^th annual Slovenian-infused Mardi Gras carnival Cleveland Kurentovanje kicked off this past Saturday, Feb. 7 in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood with the Kurent Jump, which summoned the mythical Kurenti to chase away winter, welcome spring, and begin eight days of diverse virtual and in-person arts and cultural events.
Leah loved dancing with the Kurent.Kurentovanje reaches a crescendo this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. with the Kurent Dash 5K Race (registration opens at 9 a.m.) and activities in the Children’s Village—located in the Slovenian National Home with free crafts and engaging activities—before the Parade steps off and proceeds down St. Clair at 12 p.m.

At 1 p.m., the festival gets underway and the live music begins, with performances across four stages. The performance details can be found on the Kurentovanje Schedule of Events page.

Attendees can browse the vendor village and dig into their favorite authentic Slovenian foods and beverages. Cleveland has the highest population of Slovenians living outside of Slovenia, and many local Slovenians contribute their culinary talents to Kurentovanje.

At 5 p.m., the Pokop Pusta closing ceremonies begin with the burning and burial of the effigy, which personifies Kurentovanje, that lies within a coffin.

In their last act of the 2026 festival, the Kurenti will remove their masks and place black streamers, tarnished by troubles, into the coffin to be burned. The ashes will later be symbolically committed to the Cuyahoga River. The persecution of winter ends, and we wait for spring.

'Together We Can Do It! George Voinovich and the Work of Government opens Thursday, Feb. 12 with a panel discussion, and runs through May at the Slovenian National Home.“Cleveland Kurentovanje is truly a community celebration,” says organizer Kathy Walters. “From cultural performances to children’s activities to our signature parade, the festival brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to experience the vibrancy, warmth, and joy of Slovenian traditions. We’re proud to make this a festival where everyone feels welcome.”

Before the finale festival begins on Saturday, there is still time to enjoy the Kurentovanje events scheduled for the remainder of this week:

● Today, Wednesday, Feb. 11: Slovenian Craft Wine Tasting (In-Person, Ticketed, $50).

● Thursday, Feb. 12: "Together We Can Do It! George Voinovich and the Work of Government" exhibit opening and panel discussion (In-Person, Free, optional registration.)

● Friday, Feb. 13: Learn to Polka Night: (In-Person, Ticketed, $10)

● Friday, Feb. 13 "Masks: From Ritual to Carnival:" Slovenian Mask traditions during Mardi Gras with Miha Špiček, from the Slovene Ethnographic Museum (In-Person, Ticketed, Free).

“Each year, we work to create a festival experience that’s bigger, more engaging, and more welcoming than ever,” says event organizer Lauren Calevich, who adds that 2026’s expanded programming “spotlights the richness of Slovenian culture while creating more opportunities for families, longtime festival fans, and first-time visitors to connect, celebrate, and make memories together.”