Frequently Asked Questions

No! Cleveland Kurentovanje is a celebration for everyone. While the festival is rooted in Slovenian tradition, it welcomes people of all backgrounds to enjoy the music, food, costumes, parade, and cultural experiences.

Whether you have Slovenian heritage, love cultural festivals, or are simply looking for a fun winter event, you’re invited to join the merrymaking!

No! The Main Festival & Parade is free admission and does not require a ticket!

Cleveland Kurentovanje will NEVER message or email asking you for payment. If you get a message asking for payment of any kind for festival event, do not respond so as to avoid scammers.

All festival tickets are sold or reserved for free through Ticketleap: https://www.ticketleap.events/events/cleveland-kurentovanje

The show must go on! Cleveland Kurentovanje is an all-weather event!

Be sure to come prepared, because we’ll be ready with the slivo, pivo & fun!

See our guide on what to wear here.

The festival grounds for the Main Parade and Festival is spread between both indoor and outdoor locations. For ideas on how to dress for our winter festival, see our What to Wear page.

To ensure we are within the permitted capacity of the Slovenian National Home (SNH), security may halt entry indoors for some period of time (normally immediately right after the parade ends). A queue may form, and as attendees leave the (SNH) additional people will be let inside.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting a safe festival environment for all.

Prepare for this wintertime outdoor bonanza by wearing your warmest long johns, your coziest waterproof boots, your ski pants and winter jacket, gloves, hats and whatever else you need to party on in whatever Mother Nature throws our way! As Clevelanders, we know you’re built for this weather! However, we all get a little cold sometimes. We’ll have a warming stations outside to help keep your hands warm while your drink stays cold! In general, you should be planning to dress like you’re going to the Muni Lot to tailgate for a Browns Game, or like you’re going sledding at the Toboggan chutes with an added element of a carnival-themed costume to celebrate this Mardi Gras festival. Costumes are ALWAYS encouraged. Need some photo inspiration? See our What to Wear page.

While the festival is spread out over the neighborhood, you can use this address to get to the main festival and parade on Saturday, March 1, 2025, which is at the heart of the action to get yourself pointed in the right direction:

Slovenian National Home
6409 St Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103

Parking info is here.

Information regarding handicap parking is here.

No pets are permitted on the festival grounds.

There are too many people and loud noises to make it safe for us to allow pets at the festival. We have also found that many pets have a very negative reaction to the Kurents.

If you love dogs, look out for the adoptable dogs that walk annually in the parade!

See information about Service Animals on our Accessibility Information page .

Due to our liquor license, you may not take home beer or wine. All cans and bottles must be opened and consumed onsite. No alcohol can leave the premises.

No person or organization may distribute any fliers or other promotion material at the festival unless you have submitted for and received explicit written permission from the festival organizers.

We have this policy to ensure that the festival grounds remain free from litter, and that all attendees feel comfortable and welcomed at the festival.

If you wish to apply to be a vendor, please see our Vendor Application page.

As a courtesy, we have reserved a block of rooms at a hotel downtown. All details on our Hotel Block Reservation page.