Where to with kids? The Chocolate Festival!
Written by Rebecca Svetina, April 2019
If you’re anywhere near Radovljica on April 12th-14th this year (23 and 24 April in 2022), you can indulge your inner child and your own children at the Radovljica Chocolate Festival, where you’ll find chocolate fountains and other gooey delights. It’s an indulgence of all your senses. It’s like a ginormous outdoor chocolate factory with the sweet scent of chocolate permeating through the whole town all weekend.
My great uncle owned a chocolate factory, and one of my favorite childhood memories was dipping my finger in one of those giant vats of chocolate – watching curtains of chocolate enrobe more chocolate and eat candy fresh off the conveyor belt.
visiting the festival with kids
The Radovljica Chocolate Festival is every kid’s dream come true with, not only all the chocolate they could ever eat, but also entertainment for all ages. Bikes, cars, trains, clowns, concerts, face painting, cooking shows – last year my toddler got stuck by the vintage cars before we could even taste some chocolate. The Radovljica Chocolate Festival seems to get bigger and bigger every year. This year you can explore 8 different locations.
lots of activities
Don’t worry about your kids eating too much sugar – there are plenty of activities to burn that energy! Some events are all day every day such as the chocolate Bingo, face painting, pumptrack (for bikes and scooters), an archery corner, and a giant sandpit. Other events are scheduled at specific times such as the cooking workshops, chocolate experiments, circus performances, and music concerts. This chocolate festival does not have Oompa Loompas, but even better are the circus acts by Čupakabar and Cizamo Theater. It’s best to check the festival program to not miss out. I missed the chocolate fashion show last year, so I already have it on my calendar for Saturday at 4pm!
LOGISTICS
- You won’t need a golden ticket for this chocolate festival, but you do need to buy vouchers (available at several tents, check the map for food coupons) to exchange for food and tastings.
- Parking should not be an issue, since event parking has been organized.
- If you’re coming from Ljubljana, consider arriving in style with the vintage steam train, which leaves Ljubljana at 10:40 and arrives at the chocolate festival at 12:10 on Saturday. Check the website for more information.
- Baby strollers and dogs are welcome, but Linhart Square can get very crowded, so we usually put the baby in the Ergo carrier and leave our dog at home when we plan on attending events in old town.
Thank goodness this festival is 3 days long, because your eyes will be bigger than your stomach! Radovljica is already a sweet town, but in April it’s arguably the sweetest town around.
See you there !
Have a look at my video from last year:
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And why therefore it's a 'don't miss'!
Written by Kaja Beton, March 2019
For some time its been well-known that the Radovljica Chocolate Festival is the biggest and best chocolate-related event in Slovenia. However, we also believe that, in reality, it's also the only real festival of its kind in the country. Why?
With reference chart!
Written by Rebecca Svetina, March 2019
Where do these kids get their energy?! When your kids need to burn off some steam, but you need a bench or coffee, check out one of these public playgrounds in and around Radovljica and Bled. Each has its own perks.
13.04.2019 10:40
Ljubljana - Radovljica
Climb aboard for a nostalgic train journey to Radovljica where you will find stalls laden with all kinds of chocolate and a packed entertainment programme.
Gostilna Kunstelj, Gostilna Lectar, Gostišče Tulipan
During the Chocolate Festival, selected Taste Radol'ca restaurants in Radovljica and Lesce will be offering special chocolate-themed menus.
