St. Martin's Festival in Šmartno
08.11.2025
Experience the Magic of Autumn in Brda – St. Martin’s Celebration in Šmartno
St. Martin’s Day in Šmartno remains a celebration of authenticity, tradition, and the warm hospitality of Brda. Enter the charming village where culture is a way of life – as if stepping into the living room of the people of Brda.
Experience St. Martin’s celebration among the stone alleys of the most beautiful medieval village far and wide, with selected experiences.
SATURDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2025 (10:00 – 22:00)
PROGRAMME
10:00 – 19:00 / Stalls with local products and produce
11:00 – 22:00 / Wine tastings in the wine cellars of Šmartno
11:00 – 22:00 / Rich culinary offer with St. Martin’s delicacies
11:00 – 22:00 / Chestnut roasting
11:00 – 17:00 / Art extempore by the Dablo Painting Association
11:00 – 17:00 / Children’s corner: childcare, face painting and creative workshops
Cultural Performances
UPPER SQUARE
13:00 / Choir – Twin town Pliberk (Austria)
14:00 / Folklore group Živa nit (Italy)
15:00 / Official opening of St. Martin’s Festival: Welcome speech by Mayor Franc Mužič, Blessing of the young wine (parish priest), Announcement of the best culinary plate chosen by visitors, Male Choir Srečko Kumar
16:00 / Folklore group Caprivese di Michele Grion (Italy)
16:30 / Klapa Karatel – male vocal group
18:00 / String Quartet Podokničarji
19:00 /Ensemble Suho cvetje
20:00 /Tambura Team – music group
LOWER SQUARE
14:30 / Folklore group Živa nit (Italy)
15:30 / Folklore group Caprivese di Michele Grion (Italy)
17:00 / Brda Wind Orchestra
16:00 – 22:00 / Gas Kras – music group
WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITION AND ROUND TABLE
10:00 – 19:00 / Exhibition dedicated to the honorary citizens of the Municipality of Brda: Izidor Simčič, Darinka Sirk
– Dorče and Darinka – Brda in drawings and memories (House of Culture, 2nd floor)
12:00 – 15:00 / Cooking workshop with “Briške žene in dekleta” (Brda Women’s Association) and representatives from twinned and friendly municipalities:
SLOVENIA – Orehovlje, CROATIA – Matulji, AUSTRIA – Pliberk, ITALY – San Floriano (House of Culture)
12:00 – 18:00 / Presentation of participating winemakers (Pršutera)
14:00 / Round table: St. Martin’s Day in modern times.Moderator: Sašo Dravinec (House of Culture, 2nd floor)
12:00; 14:00; 17:00 /Olive oil tasting – Brda Olive Growers Association (Nonet Tower)
PRICE
€20 (includes a glass with pouch, young wine sample, workshops with winemakers and olive growers, round table)
€5 (from 17:00 to 22:00, entrance for visitors without a purchased glass)
Bringing your own glass is not allowed.
The organiser reserves the right to modify the programme.
A circular bus service will be available throughout Brda and on the route Nova Gorica – Šmartno – Nova Gorica.
Dogs are not allowed on buses.
SUNDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2025 (10:00 – 19:00)
PROGRAMME:
08:30 / St. Martin’s hike with insights into the cultural heritage and eno-gastronomy of Brda
(more info: St. Martin’s hike )
10:00 – 19:00 / Stalls with local products and produce
11:00 – 19:00 / Wine tastings in the wine cellars of Šmartno
11:00 – 19:00 / Rich culinary offer with St. Martin’s delicacies
11:00 – 19:00/ Chestnut roasting
11:00 – 17:00/ Art extempore by the Dablo Painting Association
11:00 – 17:00 / Children’s corner: childcare, face painting and creative workshops
Cultural Performances
11:00 – 19:00 / Diverse music programme throughout the streets
11:00 – 18:00 / Ensemble Suho cvetje
11:00 – 17:00 / Music group Ne joči pevec
12:00 & 12:30 / Folklore group Kal nad Kanalom
13:00 & 13:30 / Folklore group Razor
14:00 /European Order of Wine Knights – Primorska Legation (Main Square)
14:00 – 14:45 & 16:00 – 16:45 / Traditional bell ringing (St. Martin’s Church)
15:00 – 16:00 / Holy Mass in St. Martin’s Church
16:00 – 17:00 /Briški Quintet
WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITION AND TRADITIONS
10:00 – 19:00/ Exhibition dedicated to the honorary citizens of the Municipality of Brda: Izidor Simčič, Darinka Sirk – Dorče and Darinka – Brda in drawings and memories (House of Culture, 2nd floor)
12:00 – 18:00/ Presentation of participating winemakers (Pršutera)
13:00 /Making of “tarcenti” and “martinci” (Zofina House)
14:00 – 14:45 & 16:00 – 16:45 / Traditional bell ringing (St. Martin’s Church)
11:00; 13:00; 15:00 /Olive oil tasting – Brda Olive Growers Association (Nonet Tower)
PRICE
€15 (includes a glass with pouch, young wine sample, workshops with winemakers and olive growers)
Glass return deposit:€5, refundable with valid receipt (Sunday) at the main ticket office.
Children and visitors who do not wish to buy a glass have free entry.
Tickets available only at the ticket office in the village of Šmartno.
The organiser reserves the right to modify the programme.
Warmth, culture, tradition, and local character – that’s how St. Martin’s Day is celebrated in Šmartno.
8th and 9th November – welcome to Goriška Brda!
Event Organizer ZTKMŠ Brda.
More information:
TIC Brda
Šmartno 13, 5211 Kojsko
T: +386 5 395 95 95
E: tic@brda.si
Fb: @Brda
Ig: @goriska_brda