Christmas in the heart of Banská Bystrica – Regional markets will once again revive the Old Market Square

Do you want to enjoy the unique pre-Christmas atmosphere and support those who put their heart into their work? This year the historical centre of Banská Bystrica will also be immersed in a festive atmosphere. Regional Christmas markets will be held in the Stará tržnica for the fourth time and will bring the magic of Christmas, the scent of crafts, and the taste of home.

In two pre-Christmas periods – from 11 to 14 December and then from 18 to 22 December – the Stará tržnica on Námestie Štefana Moysesa will become a place of meetings, inspiration, and support for local producers. Here, Christmas will once again be about experiences that last and gifts that tell their own story.

During all these days, more than 50 artisans and manufacturers from the entire Banská Bystrica Region will take turns at the markets. Visitors can look forward to honest products made from natural ingredients, authentic handicrafts, and unique Christmas decorations bearing the region’s stamp.

The offer will include natural juices, syrups, jams, Christmas wafers, fragrant gingerbread, honey and honey products, chestnut treats, dried fruit, and homemade muesli. Advent wreaths, candles, and natural essences that bring the right festive atmosphere to homes will also be available.

You may be interested in wooden decorations or Nativity scenes from Janka Majerská. Her products hold the Regional Product of the Pohronie label and are known for their precise workmanship and unique aesthetics. A nativity scene she made was last year included among the 300 most beautiful such scenes exhibited in the Vatican.

The scent of Christmas will be provided by Vrabka Style soy candles, classic wax candles made by Martina Ilčíková, and exceptional Advent decorations by Aďka Erčeyová. For lovers of sweets, a selection of jams, honey cakes, chestnut goodies, dried fruits, and products from the Naturiq brand will be offered.

Regional Christmas markets are organised by the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Development Agency as part of its activities to support local artisans and producers. The markets are not only a place to sell their wares, but also a space for meeting, connecting the community, and preserving craft traditions.

For more inspiration, visit www.regionalnepulty.sk.

Give your loved ones Christmas boxes full of love of the Horehronie region

If you are thinking about what original item you can put under the Christmas tree for your family or close friends, we have an interesting tip for you. Put a smile on their face with a Christmas box that serves as a message from our ancestors, the end product of the skilful hands of crafters, but above all, a bearer of an unwavering love for local traditions and crafts.

The contents of Christmas boxes from the Horehronie region are honest products bearing the Horehronie Regional Product brand. This supports quality producers representing the uniqueness and diversity of the region. It is also used to label products and services with a guaranteed origin in Horehronie and their unique relationship to the region and its traditions, as well as to its cultural and natural heritage.

The Horehronie Regional Product brand uses a bell as its symbol, representing the traditions of sheep farming and the still vibrant Wallachian culture and wealth of crafts. In the boxes you’ll find unique ceramic products; fragrant, handmade soaps; candles made from soy or beeswax; spirits and liqueurs from Saber, the only certified distillery in Horehronie; and wooden products, as well as crocheted textile products to wear and to warm you.

The boxes will be made according to your wishes and needs for every age category. Simply select and order at www.eshop.horehronie.sk.

Surprise with risographs from the Trnava Region of experiences

Are you also troubled by the dilemma of choosing an unconventional gift that has a deeper meaning and will not end up being useless or thrown away? Then go for the gift of a story and an experience that will remain an unforgettable memory.

Art recalling the popular places in the Trnava region is guaranteed to bring joy and a smile. The popular risographs were created in a competition aimed at supporting people working in the creative industry. All the works were printed using the risograph printing technique, which creates imperfections during reproduction. This means that each printed piece is unique.

The risographs are pressed in limited numbers together with an accompanying information leaflet on the back. You can purchase them at https://obchod.krajzazitkov.sk/. They are hand-numbered and personally signed by the authors. They tell stories from the entire Trnava Region. Here are a few of them:

• The Skalica print is devoted to the picturesque, free royal city. It depicts its architecture, the Rotunda of St. George, the Church of St. Michael, the Chapel of St. Anna and the Church of St. Francis Xavier. The scene is completed by visitors who are joyfully discovering and enjoying the city.
• The author’s own memories are transformed into a work called Pác Swimming Pool. It shows that you can have fun even without gigantic slides; all you need is simple humanity and plenty of water. It captures a moment, a small joyful moment, in the tangle of many summer days.
• The Royal and Imperial Stud Farm in Kopčany print is dominated by two horses standing on their hind legs, being tamed by the small figure of Francis of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresa and founder of the stud farm in 1736. The stud farm’s building is also depicted in the background of the print.
• The Katarínka monastery, hidden among the meadows and forests of the village of Dechtice, is a place that exudes a unique genius loci. This is probably why it became the subject of another print. Saint Catherine, after whom the monastery is named, is said to have appeared here in the past.
• The Trnava Fair was established on the basis of a right granted to the city by King Béla IV in 1238. It is a social event, a celebration of friendship, regional culture and merriment. In the print of the same name, historical figures meet contemporary ones in a symbolic circle.

Christmas inspirations from the Horná Nitra [Upper Nitra]

The smell and taste of honey are an inseparable part of Christmas. You’ll discover a genuinely exceptional producer of this healing treasure in the Horná Nitra region. It is represented by three generations of women – a family beekeeping enterprise called Beekeeper at heart. They perform their work with love, humility and great admiration for the bee community.

This is why products are created in their studio that not only caress the soul but also help it, because the power of bees is second to none. You can choose honey products, candles, bee products – a bee pharmacy, gift boxes and ceramics, but also a season ticket for an experience workshop or lecture.

In the Horná Nitra you can also find the unique glassmaking museum Sklený sen in the village of Valaská Belá. Although the traditional glassmaking craft has largely been replaced by machines, here you have the opportunity to discover the secrets of old glassmakers. Each product is hand-shaped and blown, has unique features and is original.

If you want to try or learn how to blow glass, you can take a glassmaking course. And this can also be a truly unusual gift. The mysterious art of glassmaking will be revealed to you by Peter Dolinaj, a master glassmaker of folk-art production.

Christmas inspirations from the Šariš region

Christmas is a time of joy, family and beautiful surprises. If you’re looking for gifts that are not only pretty, but that also have a story, take inspiration from the Šariš region. This region is rich in traditions, crafts and original creators who put their whole heart into their work.

For example, did you know that it is in the Šariš region that the unique salt-mine lace has been preserved? Efforts are being made to protect this jewel of the region for future generations. One of the bearers and protectors of this precious tradition is Mrs. Eva Miklošová.

She has devoted herself to bobbin lace for more than half a century. She produces classic lace, like those our grandmothers used to make, but also modern lace that you can pin on your coat, for example in the form of a brooch.

The Šariš region is also known for its beautifully decorated folk costumes. These were once a natural part of everyday fashion, and even today in some villages you can meet grandmothers proudly wearing traditional “chustky” [headscarves], scarves or aprons. Elmira – Elena Sotáková’s studio has been working for over twenty years to ensure that folk costumes do not disappear completely.

Custom-made folk costumes, embroidered handbags, ties with folklore motifs and embroidered shirts, which combine elegance with Slovak tradition, are created in her workshop. Such gifts are not only beautiful; they also carry a message of pride in our roots.

Are you looking for handmade ceramics in a modern design? A fine example is the Small Ceramics Studio (MAK) in Záhradné, where you’ll be greeted by peace, the smell of clay and hands made dirty while creating. Monika Čurillová makes small ornaments here – white horses, bells, saucers and playful figures – that will turn an ordinary Christmas tree into a family keepsake.

The studio also offers her finished products, so you can take an original gift or decoration home. And for those who would like to experience the tradition firsthand, workshops are conducted where they can model something unique themselves.

Gifts that change lives – Christmas from the heart of the Spiš region

What better way to capture the essence and spirit of Christmas than by supporting those who have struggled with health problems in their lives? Please yourself and your loved ones with handmade souvenirs from the workshop DDS DOMOVINA n.o. Their clients are creators of beautiful products. You can buy candles, tree decorations, cups and herbal teas that come directly from their herb garden in the Hodkovce part of the village of Žehra, located in the Spiš region.

The non-profit organization DOMOVINA is based in the historic manor house of the noble Csáky family. It was here in 2011 that the stage of breaking down barriers between mentally disabled people and the majority society began – with the social tourism project, unique not only in Slovakia but throughout Europe. The aim of opening the manor house to the public was to reveal the previously unknown and to show that people with mental disabilities can also live normally, work, pursue their interests, and contribute to society.

Tourists have a unique opportunity to see them at work in the manor house premises, making souvenirs in the craft workshop, and to look at the objects of the Csáky family. The surroundings of the manor house are worth a visit at any time of the year, but the main tourist season runs from 15 June to 15 September. Guests can combine it with a visit to the Domovina bistro, where they can relax with a good coffee and dessert and buy products from the protected workshops. They can also look over the premises of the “Csáky salon” and listen to an explanation from a client of the non-profit organisation.

Outside the main tourist season, you can visit the grounds by arranging a time by telephone. The products of the protected workshop are available directly in its premises in Hodkovce and Spišská Nová Ves during the off-season.

Gifts with a soul that will bring joy under the Christmas tree

If you’re searching for gifts that will brighten eyes, caress the soul, and also support local creators, take inspiration from our winter recommendations from the Košice region. Whether you’re reaching for a design piece from the workshop of skilled craftsmen, a tasty local product, or an experience that will leave memories – you really do have plenty to choose from in the eastern part of the country.

Christmas is a time of love, but also a time of giving. At the Centrum gemerského remesla GemCraft [GemCraft Centre of Gemer Crafts], you can make an original gift for your loved ones that will beautify their Christmas holidays for many years to come. In the village of Štítnik, glass is being blown by hand again after 25 years, resulting in delicate and original Christmas decorations. You can buy them directly on site or make your own during a workshop, giving the gift an even more personal charm.

The picturesque village of Háj is home to potter Amália Holíková, whose hands transform ordinary clay into beautiful ceramic mugs, jugs, or decorations. Each piece is original and bears a touch of the earth and honest craftsmanship. Such a gift can only do one thing – please.

We have not forgotten about lovers of quality wine. The Tokaj wine region is rightfully the pride of the Košice Region. Quality Tokaj wines with a protected designation of origin are a gift for true connoisseurs and for those who want to enjoy a unique piece of our region. From dry to sweet, from Furmint to Hárslevelű – Tokaj wine never disappoints.

If you have a brewer in the family, reach for a limited edition beer from the Kaltenecker craft brewery Kaltenecker. In Rožňava, they brew beer from 100% malt, without stabilisers, but with imagination and, of course, a lot of love. Their seasonal beer specials range from elderberry to caramel.

Doing things well means doing them with heart – and that is the motto of the family business ZINGI, founded out of love for health, honesty, and the scent of fresh ginger. Each bottle of premium ginger drink is hand-filled and decorated directly in Košice. The ginger drink, which delights with its refreshing taste, is an ideal gift for those who like to treat themselves to something healthy.

What would Christmas be without liquid gold? Under the brand Zlatý nektár [Golden Nectar] from Medzibodrožie, you’ll find purely natural honey, mead (honey wine), beeswax candles, and other bee products. Each product holds the warmth of home, the scent of nature, and the love of honest craftsmanship.

And we will not stop at the beautiful scent and natural products. At the BeLevande Lavender Farm in the Lower Zemplín region, the beauty of nature is combined with handmade production. The offer includes soaps, essential oils, candles, cosmetics, and gift packages that will scent your home and soul.

Give unique products from Košice for Christmas

This Christmas give your loved ones something truly special – a wide range of original art objects and unforgettable experiences that every member of your family will enjoy awaits you in Košice.

At the Visit Košice Infopoint, you’ll discover design objects themed around Košice stories and legends, created by local artists, designers, and craft producers.

What would you say to a game of chess with pieces that you won’t find anywhere else in the world? With Košice Chess, you can play with a piece of Sigismund’s Tower from the Cathedral of St. Elisabeth, Jakab’s Palace, and other monuments and symbols of Košice. Maker Zuzana Palejová cleverly transformed the shape of the pawns into the form of the garbage cans characteristic of the historic city centre.

Along with classic Košice souvenirs from the workshops of local artists, you’ll also be pleased with a beautiful collection of designer Christmas postcards with paintings from Košice, and for the youngest ones there is a colouring Advent calendar themed around the National Theatre Košice.

If you have a close relationship with traditional crafts, visit the Headquarters of the Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby ÚĽUV [Centre of Folk Art Production ÚĽUV]. In addition to regular exhibitions and a shop selling folklore items, courses for adults and children are organised here – the basics of woodcarving, pottery, wicker weaving, felting, and bobbin lace.

Potter Igor Macák has been working for years directly on Hrnčiarska ulica [Potter’s Street], which locals know as the Ulička remesiel [Alley of Crafts], continuing the tradition of Slovak folk ceramics. Original products inspired by Košice and Gemer motifs are created in his workshop. Visitors can see finished works here or try working with clay on a wheel during an individual workshop.

Advent in the Považie region – traditional Christmas, crafts and unforgettable experiences

Places in the Považie region also turn into a fairy-tale landscape full of lights, the scents of baked goods, and Christmas traditions during December. Whether you’re looking for classic Christmas markets, creative workshops, or original experiences for the whole family, the Advent season in the Považie offers a diverse programme for everyone.

The city of Trenčín itself also turns into a magical centre of Christmas events in December. The Christmas markets will open their doors on 5 December, when Saint Nicholas arrives in the city with his entourage and musical performances. Throughout December, concerts, creative workshops, and traditional market stalls offering local products and Christmas treats will be present on the square.

Children and adults alike can join the winter quest game prepared by the Cultural Information Centre. This is an ideal way to get to know the city from a new perspective. The highlight of the December programme will be the Christmas Concert of the European Capital of Culture 2026, which will take place on 20 December at 7:00 p.m. on Mierové námestie.

In Nové Mesto nad Váhom, a traditional event called Adventné potulky [Advent Wanderings] is held each year, falling this year on 7 December. Various yards, courtyards, cellars, churches, a museum, cafes, and other spaces are open all afternoon. Visitors can look forward to musical performances, folklore, exhibitions, workshops, numerous stands with refreshments, and original gifts.

The Považie region also offers several creative experiences associated with Advent. The cultural centre Žito v Sýpke [Rye in the Granary] in Moravské Lieskové is preparing a Christmas cake-baking workshop and a tour of the local product market for the public. Neboj sa Remesla in Kubrá [Don’t be afraid of crafts in Kubrá] is again offering traditional crafts courses and Christmas workshops – decorating gingerbread, making cornhusk dolls, and festive decorations.

Advent in the Považie is not just about markets and lights – it is also an opportunity to support local creators and discover original Christmas gifts and unexpected experiences. You can choose bee products from the community beekeeping Beespace, natural cosmetics from Mydlove, or unconventional basket-weaving courses in Stará Turá or tinkering workshops in Trenčín.

The Turiec region offers designer and craft souvenirs as well as gifts in the form of experiences

If you’re looking for a gift that has meaning, beauty and heart, visit the Turiec. This region is home to people who believe in honest work, traditions and the power of detail. Whether you give an experience, health, art or a taste of nature – each such gift carries a piece of the Turiec.

Pleasure your loved ones with a small trip; we recommend a gift card to the Slovak Chamber Theatre in Martin or a gift certificate to the spa in Turčianske Teplice. How about a beekeeping course, which will literally immerse participants into the fascinating world of bees?

At the course “The Beekeeping Year” you’ll try working with bees directly in the apiary, while producing honey and in the workshop. For advanced participants, there is the “Queen Bee Breeding Course,” and for lovers of traditional tastes, the “Homemade Mead-making Course.”

Herbs, dolls made from corn husks, as well as folklore in modern style and risographs – all in high-quality design and from local producers. If you believe that there is hidden power in nature, Bylinkový dotyk [The Herbal Touch] from Turiec is the one for you. Their teas, ointments, tinctures, and oils are created with respect for plants and according to the season – just as our ancestors did.

The charming corn husk dolls are the work of craftswoman Anna Lučanská from Martin. Each doll has its own story – it is the embodiment of peace, femininity and tradition. The combination of tradition and modern style in fashion is presented by Michaela Konečná in Martin. Linen, cotton, blueprint – materials with a soul, from which dresses, tunics, skirts, and men’s shirts are created.

An ideal gift for lovers of art, design and regional pride – this is how risographs from Spoznaj Turiec [Know the Turiec] could be described. This series of prints captures iconic places of the region, the wooden church in Rudno, the cable car to Martinské hole, the Via Ferrata HZS or the Slovak National Library.

Put the unique Tastes of the Podunajsko region under the Christmas tree

Christmas is a time of joy, well-being and gift-giving. More and more of us are looking for gifts that are not only beautiful, but also original and with a story during this time. Mass-produced items may please for a while, but the most beautiful gifts are those that carry a personal message and a small piece of the region. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ll help you surprise your family and friends with something truly exceptional.

You’ll discover the combination of taste, aroma and story in the themed Chute Podunajska [Tastes of the Podunajsko] boxes, which you can find at the Information Office in Komárno. Each gift box contains fair local products – from homemade jams, honey and spices to specialties from the Danube region. This is a gift that will caress not only the taste buds, but also the heart.

They were made with love and with an emphasis on quality and tradition. By purchasing them, you’ll not only please your loved ones; you’ll also be supporting small businesses from the Danube region, which spread the good name of the region in Slovakia and abroad.

Gifts from the Ponitrie region will delight all lovers of originality, craft and honest handwork

Discover the beauty of Slovak craft in the form of original products with the spirit of nature. Hand-modelled ceramic bowls by Renáta Sádovská, linen textiles with cross-stitch embroidery by Duvlaska – Vava výšivky, and natural cosmetics by Silvia Dostálová provide a combination of tradition, aesthetics and sustainability. Each piece is created with love, attention to detail and respect for nature.

Ceramics with the spirit of nature – that’s how you can describe the works of Renáta Sádovská from Atelier Renčiak, which operates under the brand Regional product of the Ponitrie. Original, useful and decorative ceramic bowls, cups or plates – each piece is modelled by hand and decorated with motifs inspired by plants from her garden. The products combine delicate aesthetics, functionality and respect for traditional craft.

For lovers of clean design and honest workmanship, we recommend linen textiles with cross-stitch embroidery from the brand Duvlaska – Vava výšivky. In this small workshop, ecological accessories are created from linen and cotton – bags, wallets, placemats or decorative towels, decorated with original cross-stitch embroidery. Each product is designed and sewn by hand, with an emphasis on tradition and durability.

If you are longing for a piece of nature from the Pohronský Inovec region, you’ll find it in the form of soaps and cosmetics made from home-grown herbs. We recommend the products of Silvia Dostálová, who makes them by hand, with an emphasis on simplicity, pure natural ingredients and ecological packaging. Soaps made with plant or goat milk are also suitable for sensitive skin. Each piece carries a personal touch and the scent of herbs from Slovak meadows.

The Tekov region will surprise you with unusual experiences

A rich tradition of winemaking and high-quality cuisine, along with ubiquitous folklore and crafts – their combination will create a unique authentic experience when you visit the Tekov region, which as a gift will delight every lover of slow travel.

Do you want to give your loved ones a truly unusual gift? How about a tour of the vineyards on a golf cart? We invite you to the young winemaking estate of Via Jur Farná. A more than five-kilometre circuit through the Ikladské vineyards and Perešské hony hunting grounds offers unusual experiences.

You’ll certainly be enchanted by a walk through the vineyards of the Uhnák winery, which cover the slopes above the village of Čajkov. This family winery with twelve generations of tradition processes the harvest from 8.5 hectares of its own vineyards. The andesite subsoil of the Štiavnické vrchy Mountains gives the local wines a unique character and minerality.

You can enjoy demonstrations of wool processing techniques and ancient methods such as wet and dry felting at the BIOCENTRUM Želiezovce family farm, which has been devoted to organic plant and animal production for more than 30 years. The farm also processes sheep wool, from shearing to final products.

The farm includes an orchard and has its own distillery and a fruit and vegetable drying room. A tour of the organic farm can be combined with a visit to the former Esterházy vineyards and cellar, with a tasting of not only classic but also fruit wines.