Slovenia Cow’s Ball – Bohinj 2025

Background & History

The Cow’s Ball (Kravji Bal), Bohinj’s oldest cultural event, began in the 1950s as a local celebration marking the end of the summer grazing season, when shepherds and their cattle descended from the high alpine pastures of the Julian Alps to the valleys below. Initially a modest gathering of farmers, shepherds, and caterers, it has grown into a major cultural festival organized by the Bohinj Tourist Association (Turistično društvo Bohinj) for over 60 years.

Held in the idyllic village of Ukanc by Lake Bohinj within Triglav National Park, the 66th edition on 21 September 2025 celebrates Slovenia’s pastoral heritage with a vibrant mix of tradition, music, and cuisine. The event showcases the Cika cattle, a Slovenian autochthonous breed, adorned with wreaths and bells, and shepherds carrying “basenga” (tools for cheese-making and mountain life). Attracting around 10,000 visitors annually, it’s a cornerstone of Bohinj’s identity, recognized by global travel guides like Frommer’s and Lonely Planet.

Event Highlights

• Decorated Cattle Parade: The centerpiece at 13:00, featuring Bohinj herders leading flower-adorned Cika cattle through Ukanc, accompanied by cowbells and cheers, celebrating their return from alpine pastures.
• Traditional Alpine Sports: Participate in or watch games like log-sawing, horseshoe casting, and sling-shooting, reflecting rural traditions. Awards for best shepherd and most beautiful cow (Cika queen).
• Folk Music & Dance: Performances by ensembles like Saša Avsenik, Bohinj Brass Band, and folklore groups (e.g., Triglav Srednja vas, Igor in zlati zvoki), showcasing Slovenian music and dance from 10:00–18:00.
• Local Cuisine: Savor Bohinj specialties at food stalls, including žganci (buckwheat dish), Bohinj cheese, sour milk, blanched sauerkraut, and brandy (~€3–€7 USD). Local inns like Triglav Bohinj Restaurant and Gostilna Majerca offer gourmet options post-event.
• Crafts Fair: Browse handmade products with the “Bohinjsko/From Bohinj” certificate, such as wooden souvenirs and textiles.
• Special Activities: Demonstrations of safe chainsaw use by Slovenian Forest Service instructors. Storytelling sessions about pastoral life (e.g., 2018’s Liska the cow stealing doughnuts).
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible areas at Ukanc’s flat terrain; dedicated parking and toilets. Contact info@tdbohinj.si for assistance.
• Eco-Initiatives: Encourages sustainable mobility via Bohinj Mobility Card (public transport access). Waste sorting and reusable cups are promoted.

Date & Duration

• Date: Sunday, 21 September 2025.
• Hours: 10:00–18:00 (main event); cattle parade at 13:00.
• Note: All-ages; children under 14 need adult supervision and tickets. Under 7s free. September weather (45–60°F, possible rain); bring raincoats, comfortable shoes. Full schedule at tdbohinj.si (April 2025).

Main Event Address

• Venue: Ukanc, Bohinjsko jezero, 4265 Slovenia (open-air, by Lake Bohinj, Triglav National Park).
• Administrative Contact: Turistično društvo Bohinj, Stara Fužina 38, 4265 Stara Fužina, Slovenia; info@tdbohinj.si; +386 4 574 60 10 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–17:00).
• Note: Wheelchair-accessible (main areas, toilets). Free public transport (bus from Bohinjska Bistrica, ~20 minutes, or train to Bohinjska Bistrica + shuttle). Parking near Ukanc (~€2–€5 USD/day, high demand, arrive early). Bicycle racks (~10–20 spaces, free).

Contact Information

• Email: info@tdbohinj.si (inquiries, accessibility, vendor applications).
• Phone: +386 4 574 60 10 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–17:00).
• Social Media: @BohinjSlovenia (Facebook, Instagram).
• Press: Contact info@tdbohinj.si for accreditation.
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Use for accessibility or group bookings.

Ticket Information

• Admission:
  • Adults (15+): Pre-sale €5 (~$5.50 USD), on-site €8 (~$8.80 USD).
  • Children (7–14.99): Pre-sale €1 (~$1.10 USD), on-site €2 (~$2.20 USD).
  • Children (0–6.99): Free.
• How to Buy: Pre-sale until 14 September 2025 (noon) at Info Centre Bohinj, Ribčev Laz (cash/card). On-site tickets at the Ukanc entrance (card preferred). Avoid touts.
• Special Offer: Free Savica Waterfall visit on 21 September 2025 with Cow’s Ball ticket.
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €0–€8.
  • USD: ~$0–$8.80.
• Note: Prices based on 2024 data; €1 ≈ $1.10 USD (August 2025). No refunds unless the event is cancelled. Check tdbohinj.si for updates.

Cultural Experience

The Cow’s Ball is a vibrant celebration of Bohinj’s pastoral heritage, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park. The parade of decorated Cika cattle, adorned with wreaths and bells, symbolizes the region’s deep connection to alpine dairy farming, dating back to the 13th century. Visitors immerse themselves in Slovenian traditions through folk music, polka and waltz dances, and storytelling (e.g., Liska’s 2018 doughnut escapade).

Local cuisine, like Bohinj cheese and žganci, reflects the area’s agricultural roots, while crafts fairs showcase authentic Bohinjsko products. The event fosters community cohesion, with shepherds honored for their summer labor, making it a must-see for culture enthusiasts and families.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venue: Food stalls offer Bohinj specialties: žganci (~$3–$5 USD), Bohinj cheese (~$4–$7 USD), sour milk, blanched sauerkraut, and brandy (~$3–$6 USD, age 19+). Card/cash accepted; card preferred. Reusable cups (€1 deposit, speculative).
• Nearby Dining (Bohinj):
  • Triglav Bohinj Restaurant (Stara Fužina, gourmet Slovenian, $10–$25 USD, 10-minute drive).
  • Gostilna Majerca (Stara Fužina, modern-local fusion, $8–$20 USD, 10-minute drive).
  • Gostilna Rupa (Srednja vas, traditional, $7–$15 USD, 15-minute drive).
• Note: Bring reusable water bottles; no glass containers. Water stations are available.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: All-ages; 20+ children’s activities (e.g., face painting, games, speculative). Under 14s need adult supervision and tickets; under 7s are free. Earplugs recommended (available on-site, free). Guide dogs allowed; no other pets.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible (flat terrain, main areas, toilets). Dedicated parking (free with permit). Staff assistance via info@tdbohinj.si.

Getting There

• By Air: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU, 60 km, 45-minute drive, $30–$50 USD taxi).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Ljubljana to Bohinjska Bistrica (1.5 hours, ~$5–$10 USD), then shuttle/bus to Ukanc (~20 minutes, ~$2 USD).
  • Bus: Regular buses from Ljubljana to Bohinjska Bistrica (1 hour, ~$5 USD); special Cow’s Ball shuttles from Bohinjska Bistrica to Ukanc (~$2–$5 USD, speculative). Bohinj Mobility Card recommended.
  • Boat: Special event boat from Ribčev Laz to Ukanc (~$5–$10 USD, speculative, scenic).
• By Car: Parking near Ukanc (~$2–$5 USD/day, limited). Disability parking is free with a permit. Carpool advised.
• By Bike/Foot: Bicycle racks (~10–20 spaces, free). 15-minute bike or 30-minute walk from Ribčev Laz.
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt from Ljubljana (~$30–$50 USD). Local taxis (+386 4 574 75 90, $10–$20 USD from Bohinjska Bistrica).

Program Details

• April 2025: Full schedule announced (tdbohinj.si).
• 21 September 2025:
  • 10:00–18:00: Folk music, brass bands, folklore performances (Saša Avsenik, Triglav Srednja vas).
  • 12:00–16:00: Crafts fair, alpine sports (log-sawing, horseshoe casting).
  • 13:00: Decorated cattle parade (Cika cattle, shepherds with basenga).
  • 14:00–17:00: Chainsaw demonstrations, storytelling (speculative).
  • 15:00–16:00: Awards for best shepherd, Cika queen.
• Note: Schedule based on 2024 patterns; some activities speculative. Some sports N15+ (e.g., sling-shooting).

Past Notable Features

• 2024: 65th edition, 15 September, ~10,000 attendees, featured Liska the cow anecdote.
• 2019: 213 attractions (including food stalls), best burger noted by attendees.
• 2018: Liska the cow stole doughnuts, delighting visitors.
• 1954: First organized Cow’s Ball, marking a shift to a public event.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: Showcases Bohinj’s alpine dairy farming (13th-century roots) and Cika cattle. Ideal for learning Slovenian pastoral traditions.
• Community Engagement: Strengthens local identity through shepherd awards and crafts fairs.
• Historical Context: On-site displays about pastoral life (speculative, free).

Cultural Activities

• Cattle Parade: 13:00, adorned with Cika cattle and shepherds.
• Folk Performances: Polka, waltz, and traditional songs (10:00–18:00).
• Crafts Fair: Handmade Bohinjsko products (e.g., textiles, woodwork).
• Storytelling: Anecdotes like Liska’s doughnut theft (14:00–17:00, speculative).
• Alpine Sports: Log-sawing, horseshoe casting (12:00–16:00).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Hotels fill in September; book 6–12 months. Tickets are on sale until 14 September.
• Weather Prep: September (45–60°F, rain possible); bring raincoats, hiking shoes.
• Explore Locally: Lake Bohinj (free, 5-minute walk), Savica Waterfall ($3.30 USD without ticket, 10-minute drive), Alpine Dairy Museum ($5 USD, Stara Fužina, 10-minute drive).
• Transport: Use the Bohinj Mobility Card for buses/trains. Boat to Ukanc recommended for scenic arrival.
• Crowd Tips: Arrive by 10:00 for parking; peak crowds at 13:00 (parade).

Local Attractions

• Lake Bohinj: Free (Ukanc, 5-minute walk, swimming/boating).
• Savica Waterfall: Free with ticket (21 September, 10-minute drive).
• Alpine Dairy Museum: $5 USD (Stara Fužina, 10-minute drive).
• Vogel Ski Resort: Cable car, $10–$15 USD (Ukanc, 5-minute drive, scenic views).
• Triglav National Park: Free trails (5-minute drive).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Hotel Bohinj (Ribčev Laz, $80–$150 USD/night, 10-minute drive).
  • Hotel Jezero (Ribčev Laz, $100–$180 USD/night, 10-minute drive).
• B&Bs: Vila Park B&B (Ukanc, $50–$100 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Apartments: Ukanc apartments ($40–$90 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Camping: Camp Zlatorog (Ukanc, ~$10–$20 USD/night, 5-minute walk).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Ukanc; nearest hospital is Jesenice General Hospital (20 km, 25-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks; no glass bottles, professional cameras, or pets (except guide dogs). Contact info@tdbohinj.si for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (April 2025). Earplugs available (free).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise children during parade.