If you’re planning a trip to North Macedonia, it’s worth thinking about taking advantage of the country’s annual festivals and booking your visit to coincide with a unique cultural event. With everything on offer from modern music festivals to traditional events that date back centuries, there’s plenty of options to suit all tastes.

In Pelagonija, don’t miss...

Aka Ilinden Days, Bitola’s annual Ilindenski Denovi festival takes place each July in various locations around the city. A celebration of traditional song and dance from all over the world, the festival’s one more example of why Bitola is possibly the best cultural city in North Macedonia.

Every September sees Bitola play host to the Manaki Brothers Film Festival. Named in honour of a pair of siblings who made the first film in the city during the first decade of the 20th century, the festival, which has been running continuously since 1979, the festival offers the usual array of screenings, premieres, discussions, workshops and more.

The annual springtime festival known as the Small Montmartre of Bitola is the brainchild of a local artist whose hard work’s created a magnificent yearly event aimed at young artists from North Macedonia and abroad. Attend the many events on offer and watch the participants working in the street every day.

The Bitola Summer Festival, or Bit Fest, takes place in the city between June and August and features a wide range of international cultural events from theatre to ballet performances to classical music concerts and art exhibitions.

Prilep’s annual Pivo Fest isn’t just about drinking beer, although there’s plenty of options available to do so every July. Surplus to the alcohol consumption are a range of cultural events including live rock concerts, street events and fireworks.