ArrayTourism in Brežice is achieving very encouraging results. During the first four months of this year, the destination recorded 174,279 overnight stays, representing a 6.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Brežice accounts for approximately 4.7% of all overnight stays in Slovenia, confirming its important role on the Slovenian tourism map.
Katja Čanžar, Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth Brežice, emphasized:
“We see this summer as an opportunity to address three key groups at the same time: tourists and day visitors whom we invite to our destination; guests already staying here, especially at Terme Čatež, to whom we want to showcase the urban, cultural, wine and social side of Brežice; and local residents, who are not merely event visitors but carriers of authenticity, quality of life and long-term support for tourism.”
Tourism as a Shared Community Project
Local partnerships play a crucial role in the tourism story of Brežice. Cooperation between tourism providers, cultural institutions, associations and the Municipality of Brežice enables the development of experiences that offer visitors much more than just accommodation.
Mayor Ivan Molan highlighted:
“The Brežice destination has an enormous amount to offer. Over the past 25 years, significant investments have been made in its development, infrastructure, old town centre and quality tourism products, all of which contribute to a comprehensive destination offer. We are entering a period when not only the number of visitors will matter, but also the quality of visitors.”
The first major event of the summer will be the Bread, Wine and Salami Day, taking place on 19 June in the courtyard of Brežice Castle. This event marks the beginning of a series of summer activities that will enliven the town centre and various venues across the municipality throughout the season.
Mestna promenada Brežice – The Central Summer Event
The heart of this year’s summer programme will once again be Mestna promenada Brežice, which will take place from 8 to 18 July. For eleven days, the old town centre will be transformed into a vibrant hub of social gatherings, music, gastronomy and summer experiences.
Visitors can look forward to a diverse programme featuring concerts, wine and culinary evenings, children’s activities, creative workshops, an open-air cinema and numerous accompanying events for all generations. Organisers expect more than 20,000 visitors, who will be able to choose from 35 different events and activities.
This year’s edition also brings several novelties, including a new venue for acoustic evenings in the park next to the Municipality of Brežice, offering a beautiful view of the Water Tower. A key attraction will be the popular “Promenade Flavours”, where local restaurateurs, winemakers and food producers will present authentic tastes of the Posavje region.
Special attention will also be given to discovering the town and its stories through guided summer tours, introducing visitors to Brežice’s rich heritage, hidden corners and lesser-known stories.
To facilitate exploration of the destination, a tourist shuttle bus will operate during the event, connecting Terme Čatež – the railway station – the old town centre according to an adapted timetable.
Summer in the Park Festival
Following the lively July programme, activities will move in August to the courtyard of the Brežice Youth Centre, where the Summer in the Park Festival will take place.
The festival will offer a diverse programme for all generations, including concerts, stand-up comedy evenings, social gatherings, culinary events and other relaxed summer experiences. Scheduled performers include Koala Voice, BioReaktor, Bruno Rački with Grupo Valovi, Generator, Silente and the Big Band Krško.
Heritage Remains One of the Destination’s Strongest Assets
Cultural heritage continues to play a central role in the summer story. Together, Brežice Castle and the Water Tower attract around 40,000 visitors annually, making them among the key reasons for visiting the town.
The summer programme will be enriched by various events, including the 24th Summer Museum Night, an open-air cinema, the Brežice International Children’s Singing Festival, the Brežice European Film Festival, and numerous other cultural experiences connecting history, art and contemporary content.
Family Day to Conclude the Summer Season
Intergenerational connections also hold a special place in the destination’s programme. On 4 September, the traditional Family Day, organised by the Brežice Intergenerational Centre, will offer creative workshops, sports activities, social events and a theatre performance of Cat Muri and Cat Muca Maca, symbolically bringing the summer season to a close.
InterWine Connects Heritage, Wine and Sustainability
This year’s summer programme is further enriched by the international InterWine project, bringing together partners from Slovenia and Croatia.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Slovenia–Croatia Programme. It combines cultural heritage, viticulture, winemaking and sustainable tourism while developing new cross-border tourism products.
Brežice Builds a Story of Connection
The Summer in Brežice 2026 programme is not merely a series of individual events, but part of a broader destination development story. It is built on connecting tourism, culture, heritage, local gastronomy, sustainability and community.
Organisers emphasize that the guiding vision of Summer in Brežice 2026 is for visitors to experience Brežice as a town of open doors, inspiring stories and welcoming people, where rich heritage, a vibrant contemporary atmosphere and genuine hospitality come together to create unique experiences.
The full programme is available at the following link: https://cdn2.domdesign.com/users/Zptm/Visit/sites/visitbrezice.si/modules/Domino/Files/mestna-promenada-brezice-26.pdf
