Magnificent nature, ancient history, folklore, folk customs and crafts – all of this has given rise to a wealth of traditions and local events that draw wide public interest. Many of them started small, and today they attract visitors from abroad as well.
EVENTS DEDICATED TO TRADITIONAL GASTRONOMY
FARMERS’ MARKETS
For several years now, the local SLOW FOOD EARTH MARKET Bátovce has been one of the regular events. The farmers’ market grew out of an initiative and effort by farmers and small producers themselves. Its core principle is a careful selection of vendors, quality, and a guaranteed (mostly local, regional, or at least domestic) origin of the food sold, a high standard of selling, and, not least, fair treatment of the vendors themselves. The market clearly favours primary producers – a vendor must be the grower or maker of the food themselves.
Come and enjoy the atmosphere of the farmers’ market over a good coffee every Saturday, from 7:30am to 11:30am at the Gazdovský dvor in Bátovce. You can not only buy quality local food and produce, but also taste and buy a tasty lunch prepared right at the market from the ingredients on offer.
The local Farmers’ Market also regularly welcomes visitors in the village of Kalná nad Hronom. On offer are products and food from local producers and growers. The market is held in a pleasant covered area near the House of Combat Glory and the Ostrov pohybu (Island of Movement) – just take the turn off the main Levice–Nitra road.
The Kalná nad Hronom Farmers’ Market is held every Friday, from 11am to 4pm.
MULBERRY FESTIVAL
A unique tree, the oldest surviving specimens of which may well remember the times of Maria Theresa. The black mulberry has long been part of the Pukanec vineyards, but it is also plentiful in Bátovce, Devičany and, occasionally, in the surrounding villages. The oldest specimens are 300–400 years old, and thanks to vegetative propagation, several generations of mulberry trees can be found growing side by side. Locals have long used its fruit as a remedy, as well as for delicious jams, preserves and syrups. It is an inseparable part of the genius loci of this place, and apparently the only tree in Slovakia to have its own nature trail – and, since 2018, its own Mulberry Festival.
The Black Mulberry Festival is held twice a year, and you can next experience it in two different places – in Pukanec at the Pukanec Culinary Fair and at the Ark of Taste in Bátovce as part of the Farmers’ Market (www.morusacierna.sk).
Stop by at the foot of the Štiavnica Hills and enjoy the delicacies made from the black mulberry …
WINE EVENTS
The Tekov region is famous above all for its wine, but also for culinary specialities such as Pukanec párance (dough-based dish) and Brhlovce podlievané buchty (poured buns).
Sensorially distinctive wines grown on the volcanic subsoil of the Štiavnica Hills are on offer at the event Wine, Food, Rock Dwellings Brhlovce. Its next edition takes place on 10 October 2026. Stop by this gourmet festival of good wine, food and art, set amid the well-known Rock Dwellings in Brhlovce.
During the traditional grape harvest season, two popular and well-attended events celebrate not only good wine but also music, dance and folklore – the Rybník Grape Harvest Festival and the Čajkov Grape Harvest Festival. Both are graced by the beauty of Tekov folk costumes, with a costumed procession through the centre of each village as an essential part of the celebrations.
More information is available at www.obecrybnik.sk and www.obeccajkov.sk .
CULTURAL EVENTS
LEVICE CALVARY LOOKOUT TOWER
An unforgettable bird’s-eye view awaits at the lookout tower on the grounds of the Levice Calvary. This quiet, peaceful calvary site overlooking the town of Levice offers a place to rest and reflect.
made of Levice golden onyx.
You can enjoy the panorama of the town from the lookout tower from 1 May to 31 October, every Sunday, as well as on public holidays and other state-recognised days off. The tower is open from 3pm to 5pm, weather permitting only.
Access to the tower for organised groups outside the set hours must be arranged at least 5 days in advance with a representative of the Patrimonium servandi civic association, check patrimoniumservandi@gmail.com. In the evening and outside the season, the tower is not accessible.
FROM SCHUBERT TO SACHER
Experience a unique guided tour of the town of Želiezovce – a place where the nobility of the Esterházy family, the musical genius of Franz Schubert, and the sweet legacy of the creator of the legendary Sacher torte all come together. Discover precious Italian frescoes and stop by the “heart of Želiezovce”. The regular event called From Schubert to Sacher comes with local guides and the unmistakable atmosphere of a summer noble residence, tucked away from the rush of the modern world.
SCHUBERT FEST
Come and enjoy the beauty of Schubert’s melodies at the Esterházy Mansion in Želiezovce, performed by world-renowned artists. The festival dedicated to the great composer – Schubert Fest (also known as the Schubertiade) – is held twice a year, in an autumn and a spring cycle. Franz Schubert once worked as a music teacher at the Esterházy family’s summer residence in Želiezovce, and some of his compositions were written during his stay there. More information about the event is available at www.regiontekov.info .
THE ONDREJ ANTOVSZKÝ MEMORIAL
In autumn 2025, the culinary student competition the Ondrej Antovszký Memorial, Junior Awards, was held in Tekovské Lužany for the first time in its history. At the same time, a memorial room containing numerous artefacts from his life was opened in the village where the phenomenal chef and “poet of cold cuisine”, Ondrej Antovszký, spent his childhood. You too can enjoy the culinary and competitive atmosphere at the 2nd edition of the Junior Awards, coming up on 28–29 September 2026. Details are available at www.tekovskeluzany.sk .
THE LIGHT SIGNAL THAT CONNECTS
In the Middle Ages there was a system of watchtowers used to signal danger with fire and gunshots, especially during the Ottoman invasions of the Kingdom of Hungary and its wealthy mining regions. In our area it was important to ensure an early warning between Levice, Pukanec and the access road to Banská Štiavnica, which ran through Jabloňovce. The main point was Sitno.
We commemorate these events symbolically to this day. At the places where signal fires were once lit, we still connect today using sources of light. The event traditionally opens the season on the Pohronská hradná cesta (Hron Castle Road). In 2026 further locations joined in, among them the villages of the Tekov Region – Pukanec, Jabloňovce, Bohunice, Bátovce, Čajkov and Levice.
The event was last held in March 2026. More information on FB Región Tekov.
LEVICE HUNTING DAYS
A traditional three-day event held as part of the Levice Town Days, dedicated to hunting and nature, combined with a trophy exhibition, game-calling demonstrations, a sales exhibition, a hunters’ fair and numerous educational and entertaining activities for children aimed at discovering nature and hunting in a playful way. For the next date of the event, follow www.opklevice.sk .
SPORTING EVENTS
THE LEVICE 12-HOUR SWIM
For fans of sport and recreational swimming – young and old alike – we invite you to take part in a 12-hour non-stop swimming marathon – the Levice 12-Hour Swim. This successful event launched its first season in September 2025. It is open to individuals as well as groups (of more than 5 participants), who take turns in the pool after swimming at least 50m. Also suitable for school groups. A supporting programme and good spirits are guaranteed. For the date of the next event and registration, follow www.regiontekov.info .
OPENING OF THE MERIDIEM CYCLING SEASON
Discover the Meridiem region from the saddle of a bicycle. The Meridiem association of villages offers a shared recreational bike ride for all age groups through villages with an interesting history, gentry manor houses and a winemaking tradition. The event includes supporting activities, refreshments and a raffle for participants. For the date of the next event, follow FB Región Tekov.
OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE CYCLING SEASON
A sporting event for recreational cyclists on the Jur nad Hronom – Starý Tekov cycling route at the season opening in May, and Starý Tekov – Jur nad Hronom at the season closing in August. Closing ride starting in Starý Tekov.
MÁJOVÁ 5 AND LEVICKÁ 10
A traditional spring and autumn running event for recreational runners through the streets of Levice. Starting at Námestie hrdinov (Heroes’ Square) in Levice. For upcoming dates, follow Mesto Levice. Májová 5 (May 5K) awaits you in May 2027, and Levická 10 (Levice 10K) will take place on 25 October 2026.
MUSIC AND FAIR CELEBRATIONS
LEVICE TOWN DAYS
A multi-day May event with a rich supporting cultural and social programme in the town centre as well as at sporting and cultural institutions, combined with a traditional fair. For the date of the next event, follow www.levice.sk .
THE TRADITIONAL LEVICE FAIR
The Levice Fair carries on the more than 500-year-old history of the traditional St Martin’s Fairs (held around the feast of St Martin). It features a rich cultural programme right on Námestie hrdinov (Heroes’ Square) in the town centre. Next date: 15–18 October 2026 (follow Mesto Levice).
ŽEMBEROVCE CAMPFIRE
A rock music festival in the village of Žemberovce combined with supporting activities. For the next event, follow FB Žemberovský táborák.
PUKANEC CRAFT MARKET
The former free mining town of Pukanec was also made famous by numerous crafts, which flourished here especially during the boom of mining activity in the 14th–17th centuries. Pukanec pottery has survived on a small scale to this day, and since 2023 it has been included in Slovakia’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Pukanec Craft Market is a reminder of these old crafts and craftsmen, accompanied by interesting events and a cultural programme. For the next date, follow FB Pukanské remeselnícke trhy.
