At the end of August 2025, the city of Craiova (in southwestern Romania, Dolj County) will be transformed into a magical stage for the Puppets Occupy Street Festival for one week. A festival featuring giant puppets, street performers, fantastic creatures, and over 400 free events.

Nature lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in this region: Craiova has over 800 hectares of green space, including the largest nature park in Central and Eastern Europe (Nicolae Romanescu Park) with 100 hectares. With lakes, waterfalls, a fairytale castle, a suspension bridge, a zoo, a hippodrome, and a velodrome. Urban nature at its best!

At the end of November/beginning of December, one of Romania’s largest Christmas markets will open again in the city of Craiova. More than two million lights, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, a carousel, and many traditional products were on offer at the Craiova Christmas market in 2023 (pictures). And this year, too, the markets await visitors… above all with lots and lots of Christmas atmosphere (pictures from previous years)

Craiova is the county seat of Dolj County in the historic region of Oltenia.

We would like to thank Târgul de Crăciun Craiova for allowing us to use these beautiful pictures.