Events in Macedonia - July

Blues & Soul Festival - Skopje

This festival, which was established in 1996 and is held 1-7 July every year, further reaffirms Skopje's appreciation for quality music. Some of its participants so far have included Michael Hills Blues Mob, David Honeyboy Edwards, Lucky Peterson, Louisiana Red, Eric Sardinas, Temptations, U.P. Wilson, Mick Taylor, C.J. Chenier & Louisiana Red Hot Band, Tony Vega Band, Phil Guy, Ronny Jordan, Mighty Sam McClain, Bernard Allison, Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band, Mick Taylor (ex-Rolling Stones), Todd Sharpville, and many more.

Balkan Festival - Ohrid

Traditionally for over 40 years, this festival takes place in the beginning of July and hosts vocal and instrumental bands and solo singers from Macedonia, the Balkans, and neighbouring countries, presenting their authentic folk creations and traditional culture through dances, songs, rites, traditional clothes, local costumes, traditional musical instruments, and handicrafts.

Ohrid Summer Festival - Ohrid

The Ohrid Summer Festival takes place 12 July-20 August every year. This is the event of the year in Ohrid. The festival gathers artists from all over the world, offering events for everyone’s taste. A number of concerts, theatre plays, poetry readings, and ballet performances are enjoyed in the most magical atmosphere in the antique town. First established in 1961, the festival became a member of the European Association of Festivals in 1994.

Galicnik Wedding

The “Galicka svadba” (Galicnik Wedding) is held on 12 July every year and has a century-old tradition. This is an event to commemorate the traditional wedding customs and pay tribute to the Macedonian cultural heritage. The bride and the groom, as well as the wedding guests, are adorned in the beautiful Galicnik folk costumes, famous for being one of the most luxuriously ornamented, as compared with other folk costumes in Macedonia, or even the Balkans. The wedding takes place in the village church of St. Peter and Paul.

Monodrama Theatre Festival - Bitola

Seven years ago Bitola's Cultural Center started a monodrama festival that has become an important source of theatrical activity. Located in the cross point of three borders -- Macedonia, Greece, and Albania -- the city of Bitola and the neighbouring Otesevo (with its international festival of small theatrical forms taking place at the same time in July) has become an attractive place for international exchanges for this region. The first festival of Macedonian monodrama was held in October 1999 with Macedonian participation only and had a non-competitive character. Today the five-day festival has gained an international character and takes place 7-11 July.

Beer Fest - Prilep
This is an international beer and grill festival. The festival takes place on the streets of Prilep, usually in the beginning of July. Many renowned beer producers from the Balkans and beyond participate in this event. Sausages and burgers, endless streams of beer, and great music to everyone's taste contribute to the merry atmosphere of this three-day festival.

Alarm Festival - Ljubanista, Ohrid
This festival takes place on the camping site of Ljubanista, located 25km on the southwest of Ohrid. Several stages offer music to everyone’s taste, such as rock and roll, techno, and underground.