The 8th Radovljica Chocolate Festival is GO and even the current rather gloomy skies and chilly temperatures won’t stop the chocolate fun!

The festival, which is Slovenia’s biggest and best chocolate-related event, features a packed entertainment programme and, of course, chocolate of every size, shape and flavour imaginable. It all takes places in the beautiful setting of Radovljica’s historic old town centre, as well as in the town park and other locations – all of which are within easy walking distance.

The festival kicked off today at 1pm and will continue until 8pm, and thereafter continues for the whole weekend (Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 9am-7pm), so there’s plenty of time to get your fill of chocolate! Take a look at the festival video, featuring some of the highlights of last year’s festival, which is bound to get your mouth watering!

Below are just some of the highlights of the choc-packed programme, with something for all the family – even for those who possibly don’t like chocolate – including big name concerts, workshops, cookery shows, cookery workshops, and more!

Click here for the full 3-day festival programme.

Saturday’s highlights include:

10am–6pm: House of Experiments: Make your own bar of chocolate – from bean to bar

10am: Three Chefs’ Cookery Show: Uroš Štefelin, Igor Jagodic, Jorg Zupan

10am, 12noon, 4pm, 6pm: Rainbow cake pops, cookery workshop for children

11am–5pm: Villach Oldtimer Club, exhibition of classic cars

1pm–4pm: Sašo Avsenik Ensemble

4pm: Fashion Show

5pm: Suhu cvetje – concert

6pm: 101- ka Band – concert

Also don’t miss a chance to see the vintage steam train arrive in Radovljica on Saturday bringing passengers to the festival. It’s a sight and sound to be seen and heard!

While on Sunday some of the treats awaiting you include:

10am–5pm: House of Experiments: Make your own bar of chocolate – from bean to bar

10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm: Smiley Biscuits, cookery workshop for children

12noon: Pohorje Express – concert

2pm: Nipke – concert

3pm: Help! Beatles Tribute Band – concert

4pm–6pm: Circus workshops with Čupakabra

5pm / Joške vn – concert

In addition, throughout the festival you can try your hand at chocolate bingo, have a go on the pumptrack course for bikes and scooters, shoot some arrows at the archery corner, zip across a zip wire, and find out about the new Radovljica Beekeeping Adventure (more about that to come soon!).

Though the weather isn’t as glorious as could be hoped, the majority of the festival locations and events are in marquees so the show goes on – come rain or shine! So, come on down and join in the chocolate fun. There’s still time, I haven’t eaten all the chocolate – yet!

© Adele in Slovenia