area map calendar
Chat With Us Industry Resources Meetings Group Tour Media Blog Newsletters

Things To Do

Things to DoMajor AttractionsArts & EntertainmentCultureExperiences & ToursHolidayKidsMusicNightlifeParks & OutdoorShoppingSportsSearch Things to Do

Featured

When the snow comes down, CLE turns up

The Land of Your Winter Playground

Much like everything in Cleveland, pressure creates diamonds. So when the snow starts to fall in The Land, that’s when the real party gets started.

Events

EventsEvents This WeekendEvent CalendarAnnual EventsMonthly Events PDFSubmit an Event

Eat + Drink

Eat + DrinkDowntown RestaurantsBakeries & SweetsBars & BreweriesCoffee, Brunch, & BreakfastSearch Places to Eat + Drink

Featured

2023

Brewery Passport

Few towns can boast a craft beer pedigree like Cleveland. We’ve brought together many of our finest breweries to create the Cleveland Brewery Passport: a unified way for you to explore everything this city has to offer without going thirsty.

Where To Stay

Where to StayDowntown Cleveland HotelsCleveland Airport HotelsSearch all HotelsSearch Meeting Venues

Planning Tools

Planning ToolsKnow Before You GoChat With UsCleveland Visitors CenterDeals & Special OffersGetting to ClevelandHealth & SafetyMapsSubscribe to e-NewslettersRequest a Visitor Insider GuideTransportation in ClevelandTravel Inspiration

Neighborhoods

Downtown ClevelandCleveland NeighborhoodsCleveland SuburbsCleveland Region

Kurentovanje

Bye, Winter

Date and Time

Saturday, February 18, 2023
10am - 5pm

Location

Slovenian National Home
6417 St. Clair Ave
Cleveland, OH 44103

Admission

Free

Contact

Email: CLEKurentovanje@gmail.com

View Event Website

Before we begin, here's a pronunciation primer: “koo-rahn-toh-VAHN-yay.”

Go ahead; we'll wait while you say it again: “koo-rahn-toh-VAHN-yay.”

Okay, now that you can properly pronounce Kurentovanje, let’s get the party started.

What is Kurentovanje?

Held in Slovenia each year, Kurentovanje is a colorful, ethnically rich festival that joyously bids adieu to winter while ushering in springtime. The festival and parade center around the use of traditional Slovenian masks and costumes.

But you don't have to travel overseas to experience it: just head to Cleveland Feb. 18. There will of course be plenty of food, dancing, booze, and high-quality merrymaking. Think: Mardi Gras Carnival with an Eastern European flair.

The festival is driven by the constant presence of Kurants: tall, furred and feathered “monsters” who boast long black beaks, elongated red tongues, belts with huge bells and streamers hung from their winged heads.

The primary function of these massive beasts? Scare away winter and welcome spring. For that reason alone, they’re actually quite lovable.

As bizarre as these creatures might seem upon first encounter, we here in Cleveland can’t take credit for creating them. They’re actually imported directly from Slovenia, where their presence is a pre-Lenten tradition.

Cleveland Kurentovanje

In 2013, the St. Clair Superior neighborhood adopted the Slovenian celebration right here in Cleveland. If you didn’t know, Northeast Ohio is home to the largest population of Slovenians living outside of Slovenia. Cleveland even houses a Slovenian Consulate. So, the decision to host such an event was a no-brainer.

This year's Cleveland Kurentovanje happens on Feb. 18, 2023 and is headquartered as usual at the Slovenian National Home (6417 St. Clair Ave.), where you'll encounter a myriad of activities starting with its annual parade through the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

While the full schedule of the day's events will be announced soon, you can expect  favorites like:

  • The Annual Kurent Dash 5K Race starting from St. Vitus Parish Hall.
  • Crafts and facepainting for kids.
  • The always astounding kickoff parade departing from St. Martin DePorres High School (E.62nd and Lauche Ave) that includes the Kurenti, polka and marching bands, dance and cultural troupes, and other parading ensembles. Community organizations and groups of friends/family are encouraged to participate in the parade by signing up at www.ClevelandKurentovanje.com.
  • A full program of musical acts like traditional Slovenian dancers and some wildly fun polka bands.
  • TONS of amazing Slovenian food, craft beer and a full bar that includes traditional shots of Slivovitz (not for the faint of heart).
What are you waiting for? Start planning your Kurentovanje in Cleveland right away.

Travel Update

We encourage you to consult businesses' websites and social handles for information on current hours.

What's Nearby

Refine by

Related Events

View all related events >
Jan 29

Beetlejuice

Jan 29 - Feb 26

The Rink at Wade Oval

Jan 29 - Feb 26

Tobogganing at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation

Jan 29 - Mar 31

The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be

From Our Sponsors

Things To Do Events Eat & Drink Where To Stay Planning Tools Neighborhoods
Meetings Group Tour Media Partners Partner Extranet About Jobs Contact
Copyright © 2023 Destination Cleveland
Privacy Terms of Use Legal Sitemap