Žaganje babe (Sawing the Old Woman)
Spectators watch as costumed Butalci, including the carnival "Mayor," crowd around a giant puppet (the "baba") and humorously mock-judicially saw it, marking the carnival's start.
~16:00
Cerknica Carnival (Witch Uršula & Butalci)
Pust v Cerknici
Cerknica, Slovenia
Feb 13 - 15, 2026ConfirmedSource
Each year, the Slovenian town of Cerknica throws one of the country's best-known village carnivals, a week of Pust revelry. Giant folkloric figures roam the streets, led by the grand witch Uršula and the comic local Butalci, in a colorful spectacle that blends old pagan spring rites with homegrown lore.
Documentation note
FestivalAtlas keeps this celebration available for timing and respectful planning without inviting public footage.
How we decideKey moments
Day 1 · Feb 13
Day 3 · Feb 15
Pust Carnival Parade
Venues in Cerknica fill with enormous colorful masks and floats. Parade-goers in traditional costumes lampoon local folklore and current events, creating a lively satirical atmosphere.
~12:30
Day 6 · Feb 18
Pokop Pusta (Burial of Pust)
Villagers and visitors watch a mock funeral procession: Pust’s coffin is carried through town, followed by ritual burning at the square, deeply concluding the carnival.
~18:00
Where it happens
Mestni trg Cerknica
Cerknica, Slovenia
Open in MapsHow to show up well
Dress for the setting
Warm winter clothing
Read the local rhythm
Optional costume or mask
Respect local boundaries
Stand aside during processions and ceremonies. Do not disturb the giant figures or the buri...
Practical notes
Crowds & timing
Crowd level: moderate.
Documented conservatively
Context first. No public coverage mission.
FestivalAtlas keeps Cerknica Carnival (Witch Uršula & Butalci) available for timing, cultural context, and respectful planning, without inviting public footage or contributor coverage for this event.
No media solicitation shownHow we decide
REGIONAL COMMUNITY & FOLK LIFE
Cerknica Carnival (Witch Uršula & Butalci)
Pust v Cerknici
Cerknica, Slovenia
Each year, the Slovenian town of Cerknica throws one of the country's best-known village carnivals, a week of Pust revelry. Giant folkloric figures roam the streets, led by the grand witch Uršula and the comic local Butalci, in a colorful spectacle that blends old pagan spring rites with homegrown lore.
Limited mediaMedia intentionally limited
Under the radarStill under the radar
Feb 13 - 15, 2026Confirmed dates
Verified this year
Saved locally on this device. A free account keeps your shortlist across devices.
About Cerknica Carnival (Witch Uršula & Butalci)
The carnival blends pagan spring rites and local lore. Cerknica’s residents celebrate unique traditions (e.g. devilish Butalci, local lake creatures) that have been passed down for generations. In folklore, the coprnice (witches) of nearby Slivnica and the foolish Butalci characters give the festival its distinctive satirical flavor.
Enjoy the good-humored performances but respect the handcrafted figures. If invited to join in songs or dances, participate respectfully. Accept gifts (food, coin) offered by procession characters.
What visitors should understand
Attendance can be appropriate while active documentation is not. Let local boundaries define your role.
What not to do
ask permission
Observation may be enough
Some celebrations are best approached quietly: arrive prepared, follow posted rules, and leave without turning the moment into content.
The story behind it
The carnival blends pagan spring rites and local lore. Cerknica’s residents celebrate unique traditions (e.g. devilish Butalci, local lake creatures) that have been passed down for generations. In folklore, the coprnice (witches) of nearby Slivnica and the foolish Butalci characters give the festival its distinctive satirical flavor.
Key moments to know
Day 1Feb 13~16:00Expected
Žaganje babe (Sawing the Old Woman)
Spectators watch as costumed Butalci, including the carnival "Mayor," crowd around a giant puppet (the "baba") and humorously mock-judicially saw it, marking the carnival's start.
Day 3Feb 15~12:30Expected
Pust Carnival Parade
Venues in Cerknica fill with enormous colorful masks and floats. Parade-goers in traditional costumes lampoon local folklore and current events, creating a lively satirical atmosphere.
Day 6Feb 18~18:00Expected
Pokop Pusta (Burial of Pust)
Villagers and visitors watch a mock funeral procession: Pust’s coffin is carried through town, followed by ritual burning at the square, deeply concluding the carnival.
How to show up well
respectful presence
Dress for the setting
Warm winter clothing
Read the local rhythm
Optional costume or mask
Respect local boundaries
Stand aside during processions and ceremonies. Do not disturb the giant figures or the burial rite. Children sh...
Essentials at a glance
Date window
Feb 13 - 15, 2026
Confirmed
City / Area
Cerknica
Inner Carniola (Notranjska)
Good for
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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