31st KFF 2026

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FOLK CRAFT FAIR
Karlovy Vary – area in front of the main post office and in Smetana Park (Smetanovy sady)
Demonstration of traditional crafts and sale of crafted products including numerous delicacies

We reserve the right to change the programme.

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FOLK CRAFT FAIR
Karlovy Vary – area in front of the main post office and in Smetana Park (Smetanovy sady)
Demonstration of traditional crafts and sale of crafted products including numerous delicacies

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THE EVE OF THE KARLOVY VARY FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
Sokolov – Old Square
Performances of foreign ensembles at the 31st KFF

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SLOVAK DANCE
Rosnice – U Kaštanů Restaurant
A performance by a Slovak ensemble for the Slovak community in the Czech Republic (private party)

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
OPENING CEREMONY of the 31th KFF
Karlovy Vary – Hotel Imperial
Performances of foreign groups
Tickets are available here.

We reserve the right to change the programme.

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FOLK CRAFT FAIR
Karlovy Vary – area in front of the main post office and in Smetana Park (Smetanovy sady)
Demonstration of traditional crafts and sale of crafted products including numerous delicacies

10:00 – 11:00 am
THE WORLD OF DANCE
Karlovy Vary – Hotel Thermal – Great Hall
Concert of foreign ensembles for school students

11:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m. FOLKLORE AT PORCELAIN FESTIVITIES
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Karlovy Vary – Grandhotel Ambassador – Národní dům
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Performances by folklore ensembles

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
FESTIVAL IS ON
Karlovy Vary – stage at the Main Post Office
Folklore ensembles and folk music from participating ensembles of the 31st KFF play for visitors to the craft fair

6:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
FOLKLORE PARTY
Karlovy Vary – Stará Role – Lidový dům Karlovy Vary
Evening gathering of participants (private party)

We reserve the right to change the programme.

9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
EXHIBITION OF HISTORICAL VEHICLES
Karlovy Vary – area in front of Hotel Thermal
Veteran car show organised in cooperation with the association Veteránisté Bohatice

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FOLK CRAFT FAIR
Karlovy Vary – area in front of the main post office and in Smetana Park (Smetanovy sady)
Demonstration of traditional crafts and sale of crafted products including numerous delicacies

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
DANCE AT HOTEL THERMAL
Karlovy Vary – stage next to Hotel Thermal
Performances by folklore ensembles

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
DANCING KARLOVY VARY
Karlovy Vary – Park (Sadová), Mill (Mlýnská) Colonnade
Performances by folklore ensembles

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MUSIC AT THE FAIR
Karlovy Vary – stage next to the main post office
Folk music by ensembles participating

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. FOLKLORE AT PORCELAIN FESTIVITIES
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Karlovy Vary – Grandhotel Ambassador – Národní dům
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Performances by folklore ensembles

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
DANCE AT THE FAIR
Karlovy Vary – stage next to the main post office
Folk dance lessons for visitors to the fair

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
FOLK MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM
Karlovy Vary – Nová louka – Karlovy Vary Museum
Performance of folk musicians and opening of a traditional exhibition with folklore themes

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
DANCING KARLOVY VARY
Karlovy Vary – Market (Tržní) Colonnade, Mill (Mlýnská) Colonnade, Sadová Colonnade
Performances by folklore ensembles

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
MUSIC AT HOTEL THERMAL
Karlovy Vary – stage next to Hotel Thermal
Dulcimer music performance

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
FESTIVE FOLK COSTUME PARADE
Karlovy Vary – route from the Market (Tržní) Colonnade to Hotel Thermal
Parade of ensembles participating in the 31th KFF through the town with music, singing and dancing

6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
GATHERING WITH A GLASS OF WINE
Karlovy Vary – Hotel Thermal – Festival Lounge
Gathering of leaders of ensembles, festival sponsors and representatives of the town of Karlovy Vary and the Karlovy Vary Region
(private party)

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
FESTIVAL GALA PROGRAMME
Karlovy Vary – Hotel Thermal – Grand Hall
The main programme of ensembles participating in the 31th KFF
Tickets are available here.

We reserve the right to change the programme.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
A TOAST BY THE SPRINGS
Karlovy Vary – Market (Tržní) Colonnade
Toast by the performers at the 31th KFF
(private party)

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FOLK CRAFT FAIR
Karlovy Vary – area in front of the main post office and in Smetana Park (Smetanovy sady)
Demonstration of traditional crafts and sale of crafted products including numerous delicacies

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
SINGING BY THE SPRINGS
Karlovy Vary – Park (Sadová), Mill (Mlýnská), Market (Tržní) and Hot Spring (Vřídelní) colonnades, and Freedom (Svoboda) Spring
Concerts by folklore ensembles as part of the 31th KFF at the spa colonnades and at the spa springs

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. FOLKLORE AT PORCELAIN FESTIVITIES
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Karlovy Vary – Grandhotel Ambassador – Národní dům
Performances by folklore ensembles

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
MUSIC AT THE FAIR
Karlovy Vary – stage next to the main post office
Folk music by ensembles participating in the 31th KFF playing for visitors to the craft fair

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE AFTERNOON
Karlovy Vary – Poštovní dvůr
Final program of the 31st KFF (voluntary entry)

We reserve the right to change the programme.

Folklorní soubor Jarošovci, Mělník

The Jarošovci ensemble has proudly kept alive the folk traditions of the Mělník and Elbe regions since 1949, from where it respectfully draws inspiration in the areas of dances, songs and customs. Their costumes and performances reflect not only the rich history of their ancestors, but above all the joy of meeting, dancing and music together. The Jarošovci organize their own festival, Mělnický Vrkoč.

Chodský soubor Mrákov, Mrákov

The Chodský ensemble from Mrákov was founded by a group of enthusiasts in 1961 and has been spreading joy, well-being and good spirits ever since through its musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers. Its main mission is to maintain and develop interest in the folklore of the Chodsko region by singing and dancing Chodsko songs while preserving the traditional costumes of the lower Chodsko region.

Folklorní soubor Nisanka, Jablonec nad Nisou

Nisanka processes the folk culture of Pojizeří, Podještědí and Podkrkonoší and performs in traditional costumes. When compiling its repertoire, it draws primarily from the collections of Pavel Krejčí, does not focus only on the interpretation of songs and dances, but tries to portray traditions in a way that appeals to the contemporary audience. It currently has 25 members, including the music. The author of all the choreographies of the ensemble is Jana Hanajová.

Hudecká muzika Vinohrad, Znojmo

HM Vinohrad was created based on changes in the Vinohrádek dulcimer music, which originally originated from the dancers of DFS Dyjavánek. CM Vinohrádek and subsequently HM Vinohrad were founded and led by Zbyněk Súkup. Its members are students from various primary and secondary schools in Znojmo and the surrounding area. Since the Znojmo region is not a traditional folklore area, their repertoire (thanks to the resettlement of immigrants after the expulsion of the Germans) consists mainly of songs from Moravia (Horáčko, Slovácko, Wallachia and Laško), marginally songs from the Moravian-Slovak border and exceptionally also songs from Slovakia and Bohemia.

Folklorní soubor Krušnohor, Chomutov
The folk group Krušnohor was founded in 1988 at the Cultural and Social Center in Chomutov, where it still operates. It currently has a total of 20 members aged 12 and over. The ensemble processes folklore material from the Krušnohoří Mountains, Karlovy Vary and the entire western and southwestern part of Bohemia. Krušnohor is a regular participant in shows and festivals in the Czech Republic and abroad. He is a member of the regional association “Shirší Karlovy Vary” and regularly participates in meetings of children’s folklore ensembles in Teplá near Mariánské Lázně and in competition shows in Karlovy Vary. The artistic director is Mgr. Jaroslava Macháčková.

Folklorní soubor Marjánek, Mariánské Lázně

The folklore group Marjánek was founded in the mid-1990s originally as a children’s drama group. It gradually developed to its present form. Today, the ensemble mainly deals with customs and dances from the Chodsko region and, in addition to its own bagpipe music, it also has three dance components. The ensemble regularly performs at festivals at home and abroad and is the organizer of the International Folklore Festival Mariánský podzim, which takes place every third weekend in September in Mariánské Lázně.

Folklorní soubor Stázka, Teplá

The folklore ensemble Stázka was founded in the mid-1990s at the Elementary School in Teplá. He processes Czech folk songs, customs and dances and also deals with the folklore of the wider Karlovy Vary, mainly from the Poohří region. He participates in the organization of the Karlovarsk Singer competition and the Meeting of Folklore Ensembles in Teplá. He performed at many folklore festivals in Bohemia and Moravia and regularly travels to Germany to perform. Three times he was selected for the national show of children’s folklore ensembles and in 2014 he received the title Laureate of the Guard.

Soubor písní a tanců Dyleň, Karlovy Vary

The ensemble of songs and dances Dyleň focuses on the presentation of folk songs and dances of the westernmost part of Bohemia, mainly Karlovarska and Poohří – that is, the area where Czechs and Germans lived side by side for centuries. With more than a hundred members and several dance groups, it boasts that parents and their children, and even grandchildren, often dance on stage. The ensemble, which is one of the most important bearers of folk traditions in Western Bohemia, often goes abroad to demonstrate its art. He is also the organizer of the Karlovy Vary Folklore Festival, which has been held since 1996.

Waldsteinsaiten, Sparneck, Germany

Zither, small dulcimer and guitar – various stringed instruments that sound and harmonize beautifully with singing. The women’s chamber “multi-stringed” music has been performing since 2007. Its repertoire consists of traditional folk music from the Ore Mountains and Bavaria, church music, but also old hits and everything that brings pleasure to musicians and listeners.

Drehorgelgruppe, Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Germany

The specific sound of spinning wheels evokes memories of old times, fairy tales or the atmosphere of fairs, and in a busy time it acts as a pleasant escape from reality. All this is confirmed by the spinning wheel group led by Mr. Max Hertel.

Folklórny tanečný súbor ROZMARING, Seňa, Slovakia

The Rozmaring Folklore Ensemble was founded in 1950 and has been a bearer and promoter of folk traditions for more than seven decades. In its activities, the ensemble focuses on the authentic interpretation of the folk culture of Slovakia, Hungary and Transylvania.

Psiloritis, Chania, Greece

The Psiloritis Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1980 in the city of Chania on the Greek island of Crete. Its mission is to preserve and develop the traditional folk culture, customs and dances of Crete and all of Greece, while at the same time caring for the rich heritage of Cretan folk music and songs. Today, Psiloritis is one of the most important and largest folklore ensembles in Crete.

Children and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble Leesikad, Tallin, Estonia

The children’s and youth folk dance ensemble Leesikad was founded in 2005 in Tallinn, Estonia, as a school folk dance ensemble. The ensemble is recognized by the Estonian Folklore Council and the Estonian Folk Dance and Music Association, is a member of CIOFF® Estonia, and a section of the ensemble consisting of high school and university students will perform in Karlovy Vary with live music.

Ak Šoola, Biškek, Kyrgyzstan

The Ak Shoola Children’s Theater Choir (Kyrgyz for White Ray) is one of the leading children’s art ensembles in the Kyrgyz Republic. It was founded in 1985 and currently brings together approximately 80 children aged 3 to 16. The ensemble’s repertoire includes folk, classical and contemporary pieces and reflects the richness of the Kyrgyz musical tradition and openness to world music.