Culture & traditionFebruary
Shkodër Carnival
Shkodër · North · February, before Lent
Masked parades and marching bands through Shkodër's pedestrian street — Albania's oldest carnival tradition.
What's on
Albania festivals & events
Time your trip around beach festivals, castle folklore, beer in Korçë or the olive harvest. Filter by month, then drop an event straight into your itinerary.
15 events
Culture & traditionMarch
Dita e Verës (Summer Day)
Elbasan · Central · 14 March, every year
Albania's pagan spring festival and a national holiday. Elbasan fills with music and ballokume biscuits baked over embers.
Culture & traditionApril
Tirana Spring Culture Days
Tirana · Central · Through April
Open-air concerts, gallery nights and street theatre around Skanderbeg Square and Blloku as the season opens.
Outdoors & sportMay
South Outdoor Festival
Borsh · Riviera · Late May, four days
Albania's biggest adventure-sport gathering: sea kayaking, climbing, paragliding and trail running, with live music at night.
Culture & traditionMay
Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival
Gjirokastër · South · In the castle, usually May
Iso-polyphony choirs — UNESCO intangible heritage — performing inside the stone fortress. The best window into traditional Albanian music.
Music festivalJune
UNUM Festival
Shëngjin · North · Early June, five days
Large open-air techno and house festival on the northern sands, with international headliners.
Music festivalJune
Kala Festival
Dhërmi · Riviera · Mid-June, six days
Beach-side disco and electronic festival on Dhërmi's coves, with boat parties and sunrise sets. Beds sell out months ahead.
Music festivalJune
ION Festival
Dhërmi · Riviera · Late June
House and techno line-up on the same stretch of Ionian coast as Kala, run by the same crew.
Music festivalJuly
Tirana International Jazz Days
Tirana · Central · July
Evening jazz sets in the amphitheatre of the Grand Park and in courtyards around the centre.
Music festivalAugust
Gjipe Open Air
Gjipe canyon · Riviera · Early August
Camping festival at the mouth of the Gjipe canyon, reachable only on foot or by boat. Bring water and cash.
Food & wineAugust
Korça Beer Festival
Korçë · East · Mid-August, five days
The country's best-loved street party: Birra Korça by the litre, grilled meats and brass bands in the old bazaar.
Food & wineSeptember
Berat Wine & Heritage Days
Berat · South · September
Tastings from Berat and Roshnik wineries in the castle quarter, alongside craft markets in the Mangalem houses.
Food & wineOctober
Olive harvest in the south
Borsh & Vlorë hinterland · Riviera · October to November
Family farms press the first oil of the year and many welcome visitors for a day's picking and a long lunch.
Outdoors & sportOctober
Dajti Trail Run
Tirana · Central · October
Mountain race up and along the Dajti ridge above Tirana, with shorter family routes from the cable-car top station.
Culture & traditionDecember
New Year on Skanderbeg Square
Tirana · Central · 31 December
Free open-air concert and fireworks on the main square, with the winter market running through December.
Dates are the usual window each year and are confirmed by organisers only a few weeks ahead. Check the official festival page before booking flights or accommodation.