Zilele Clujului returns from 21 to 24 May 2026, bringing more than 100 events to over 40 locations across the city.
Cluj-Napoca will celebrate four days of music, culture, food, theatre, workshops, guided tours, family activities and public performances as Zilele Clujului 2026 takes place between Thursday, 21 May and Sunday, 24 May.
This year’s edition is held under the slogan “No, hai! Voie bună o să ai!”, which translates roughly to “Well, come on! Good vibes await!”, with events spread across central locations including Piața Unirii, Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu, Piața Muzeului, Parcul Central “Simion Bărnuțiu”, Casino, Bulevardul Eroilor, Turnul Pompierilor, Turnul Croitorilor, Parcul Feroviarilor and several museums and cultural institutions.
According to the official programme, the festival includes over 100 events in more than 40 locations, covering concerts, street theatre, children’s activities, exhibitions, sporting events, creative workshops, guided tours, food and wine festivals, and community-led projects.
Main highlights
One of the biggest moments of the weekend will be the drone, lights and video mapping show in Piața Unirii on Friday, 22 May at 21:45. The show is described as a multisensory production celebrating the spirit of the city through drones, lighting and projection mapping.
Friday evening will also bring concerts in Piața Unirii, including Mihail at 19:30, Vița de Vie at 20:45 and Delia at 22:00. Earlier in the day, the same area will host the “Wings of Rhythms: O lume, un ritm, o speranță” event at 16:00, involving pupils from Cluj schools and the Young Famous Orchestra.
The opening day, Thursday, 21 May, includes street animation, a photobooth in Piața Unirii, the theatre concert “Chiritza în Concert” at the National Theatre at 20:30, and several activities on Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu, including the We STEM powered by Emerson programme marking 20 years of Emerson activity in Cluj-Napoca.
A classical music evening, “Notte d’amore”, is scheduled for Saturday, 23 May at 19:00, featuring tenor George Vîrban, baritone Florin Estefan, Giancarlo Palena on bandoneon and Ovidiu Lup on piano.
The weekend will also include the Treasure Hunt Zilele Clujului, taking place on 23 and 24 May, with prizes listed as €1,500 for first place, €1,000 for second place and €500 for third place.
Selected programme
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 21 May | 10:00–18:00 | We STEM powered by Emerson | Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu |
| Thursday, 21 May | 14:00–23:00 | International Gastronomic Festival | Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu |
| Thursday, 21 May | 17:00–21:00 | Photobooth | Piața Unirii |
| Thursday, 21 May | 20:30 | “Chiritza în Concert” | Teatrul Național Cluj-Napoca |
| Friday, 22 May | 13:00–21:00 | RoboVR and photobooth | Piața Unirii |
| Friday, 22 May | 16:00 | Wings of Rhythms | Piața Unirii |
| Friday, 22 May | 19:30 | Mihail concert | Piața Unirii |
| Friday, 22 May | 20:45 | Vița de Vie concert | Piața Unirii |
| Friday, 22 May | 21:45 | Drone, lights and video mapping show | Piața Unirii |
| Friday, 22 May | 22:00 | Delia concert | Piața Unirii |
| Saturday, 23 May | 19:00 | Notte d’amore, classical music evening | Listed in official programme |
| Saturday–Sunday, 23–24 May | Various times | Treasure Hunt Zilele Clujului | City-wide |
| Saturday–Sunday, 23–24 May | Various times | “Fugi în curtea școlii” sports activities | Parcul Zorilor, Parcul Feroviarilor, La Terenuri Mănăștur |
Food, wine and local makers
Food and drink also play a central role in this year’s programme. The International Gastronomic Festival is scheduled on Strada Mihail Kogălniceanu, with activities linked to the 50th anniversary of the twinning between Cluj-Napoca and Köln. The German DWNT stand will host cooking workshops, quizzes, tastings, demonstrations and short interactive German language sessions.
Meanwhile, Parcul Central “Simion Bărnuțiu” will host the Festivalul de Vin, as well as the Târgul Meșterilor Populari, where craftspeople from Romanian, Hungarian, Roma, Moldovan, Korean and Ukrainian communities will demonstrate traditional skills and sell handmade products. Activities include pottery, ceramic painting, wood painting, weaving, beadwork, rope braiding and face painting.
Family activities and workshops
Families will find activities across several areas of the city. The programme includes educational STEM activities, children’s experiments, creative workshops, games, puppet theatre, street animation, sports challenges, rowing activities on Lacul Chios for people with special needs, and interactive environmental workshops.
The Fun Zone includes activities such as climbing, archery, mini golf, giant Jenga, chess, darts, volleyball, badminton and other outdoor games. There are also workshops connected to birds, recycling, art, storytelling, civic participation and inclusive experiences.
Exhibitions, guided tours and cultural spaces
Several museums, galleries and cultural venues will also take part. The programme includes exhibitions at Casino – Centrul de Cultură Urbană, Turnul Pompierilor, Turnul Croitorilor, Muzeul Mitropoliei Clujului, Muzeul Militar “Mareșal Constantin Prezan”, Muzeul Școlii Medicale Clujene and the Centrul Cultural German.
Guided tours are also scheduled, including “Cluj-Napoca – The Treasure City”, an English-language tour starting from Piața Unirii, and other themed tours focused on photogenic palaces, local art and artisan spaces.
A city-wide celebration
Zilele Clujului is designed as a city-wide celebration, with events aimed at residents, students, families, children, visitors and international communities. From major evening concerts in Piața Unirii to smaller creative workshops, guided walks and community activities, the 2026 edition once again uses the city itself as the festival venue.
Visitors are encouraged to check the full official programme before attending, as many events take place at different locations across the city and some activities may require prior registration.
