A fair featuring craftspeople and traditional treats at the Village Museum, fantastical characters in IOR Park, screenings at Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest and the final performances of the National Theatre Festival: the weekend of 23–25 October 2026 offers plenty of reasons to head out into the city.

The programme includes both free events and ticketed performances. We have selected cultural events, concerts and children’s activities, with their announced times, addresses and admission details. For an outing just outside the capital, we have also included two Saturday events at Mogoșoaia Palace.

Information was checked on 22 October 2026. Check ticket availability and any programme changes before travelling.

St Demetrius Fair at the Village Museum

From 23 to 25 October, the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum hosts the St Demetrius Fair. Craftspeople from across Romania, traditional food producers and folk musicians come together for a programme that could easily fill several hours of your weekend. Stalls will offer cozonac sweet bread, pies, cheeses, honey, zacuscă vegetable spread and preserves.

On Sunday, 25 October, three events have confirmed starting times: at 11:00, the family performance “Un pedagog de școală nouă” at the Dumitra Stage; at 12:00, the opening of “Pavel Caba. O viață dedicată lemnului”, an exhibition celebrating a life devoted to woodworking, at Cantonul de Drum in the New Village section; and at 15:00, the launch of Florin Pană’s CD “De dor din acordeon”, also at the Dumitra Stage.

Address: 28–30 Șoseaua Kiseleff, Sector 1. The event page lists opening hours of 09:00–19:00. Events are included in the museum admission ticket: 40 lei for adults, 20 lei for pensioners and 10 lei for school pupils and university students, with the required supporting documents. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing. Purchases from the stalls are charged separately.

The Pumpkin Caravan brings giant puppets and concerts to IOR Park

Caravana Dovlecilor – Parade of Giants takes place from 23 to 25 October in IOR/Titan Park, in the “La Glob” area, Sector 3. The event combines Halloween decorations with children’s entertainment, artisan products and live music. Admission to the festival is free.

On Saturday, 24 October, the programme includes Muppets Show from 11:00 to 12:00, a performance by Saveta Bogdan at 12:00, and a performance by the Andra Gogan Dance Academy from 14:30 to 15:30. Giant puppets, robots on stilts and illuminated skeletons are scheduled from 15:00 to 18:00, followed by an InkOmpetent concert at 18:30.

On Sunday, 25 October, children can watch Bibabo’s “Poveste de Halloween” at 14:30. Characters on stilts appear from 15:00 to 17:00, while Antebellum are scheduled to perform from 18:30 to 19:30. Use the “La Glob” area as your navigation landmark: the park is large, and choosing an entrance without checking its location may leave you some distance from the event.

Workshops and fantastical characters at the Witches’ Fair

The garden of the Comic Opera for Children continues to host the Witches’ Fair, open on weekends until 1 November. Children can meet witches, pirates, elves and magicians, and take part in creative activities including painting, pumpkin carving and 3D printing.

For the weekend of 23–25 October, opening hours are Friday, 16:00–20:00, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–20:00. Admission is free, but workshops and attractions are paid for using the rechargeable OCC Card, available at the information points. The cost of your visit will therefore depend on the activities you choose.

Address: Comic Opera for Children, 16 Calea Giulești. Before loading credit onto the card, check the prices and age recommendations for the activities your child would like to try.

READ ALSO: 10 play and activity venues for children in Bucharest and nearby. From miniature cities to treetop adventures bucharest.ro

Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest begins

The 17th edition of Les Films de Cannes à Bucarest opens on Friday, 23 October, and runs until 1 November. Screenings take place at Cinema Elvire Popesco, Cinema Muzeul Țăranului, the Auditorium of the National Museum of Art of Romania and Apollo111 Cinema.

One option for opening night is “You Don’t Belong Here”, directed by Florin Șerban, screening on Friday at 19:00 at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului – Horia Bernea Studio, with access from 3 Strada Monetăriei. The screening is followed by a discussion with the director.

On Saturday, 24 October, at 12:30, Cinema Elvire Popesco presents “Too Many Beasts”, directed by Sarah Arnold, a story about a conflict between farmers and a hunting club. The cinema is located within the French Institute at 77 Bulevardul Dacia.

Tickets for these screenings are listed at 30 lei in the festival programme on Eventbook. Some opening-night screenings are already marked as sold out; check the film, venue and time before purchasing.

“Molière, L’Opéra Urbain” comes to Romexpo

Molière’s life becomes the subject of a musical in “Molière, L’Opéra Urbain”, created by Dove Attia and Ladislas Chollat. The production follows the playwright’s journey, combining its 17th-century setting with contemporary music and stage design.

Three performances are scheduled this weekend: Friday, 23 October, at 20:00, and Saturday, 24 October, at 15:00 and 20:00. It is an option for anyone looking to set aside an evening for a large-scale musical production.

Venue: Romexpo, 65–67 Bulevardul Mărăști, Sector 1. Eventim lists tickets from 175 lei for the series; check prices and seat availability for your chosen performance. Follow the entry instructions on your ticket, as the complex has several entrances and event spaces.

BLAZE perform at Expirat – Halele Carol on Friday

Japanese visual kei band BLAZE arrive in Bucharest on 23 October as part of their “RENGOKU” European tour. The concert at Expirat – Halele Carol is an option for fans of Japanese rock, heavy sounds and performances with a strong visual identity.

General admission opens at 18:00, with the concert starting at 19:00. VIP entry and the Meet & Greet session are scheduled for 17:00.

Address: 1 Strada Doctor Constantin Istrati. At the time of checking, iaBilet listed General Access at 169.68 lei and the VIP Upgrade at 360.57 lei. The VIP Upgrade does not include concert admission and must be purchased alongside a general admission ticket. Anyone under 18 should clarify entry requirements directly with the organiser, as the page contains inconsistent age policies.

Brahms, Britten and Strauss at the Romanian Athenaeum on Friday evening

For an evening of classical music, the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir perform at the Romanian Athenaeum on Friday, 23 October, at 19:00. Philipp von Steinaecker conducts, with cellist Julia Hagen as the soloist.

The programme brings together Johannes Brahms’s “Song of Destiny”, Benjamin Britten’s Symphony for Cello and Orchestra and Richard Strauss’s tone poem “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”. The Philharmonic Choir is prepared by Andrei Stănculescu.

Address: 1–3 Strada Benjamin Franklin. Check tickets through the platform indicated by the Philharmonic. Prices for the remaining seats could not be confirmed on the publicly accessible page during research.

The final weekend of the National Theatre Festival

The National Theatre Festival ends on 25 October, with its closing days featuring “Sopro – Șoapte din umbră”, by Tiago Rodrigues, directed by László Bocsárdi. This production by the “Harag György” Company of the Northern Theatre in Satu Mare explores theatrical life through the eyes of a prompter.

Performances take place at the Bulandra Theatre’s Liviu Ciulei Hall on Saturday, 24 October, at 18:00, and Sunday, 25 October, at 18:30. The production lasts two hours and 25 minutes, is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over, and is performed in Hungarian with translation.

Venue address: 1 Bulevardul Schitu Măgureanu. At the time of checking, Saturday’s performance was marked sold out, while the FNT page provided a ticket link for Sunday. Confirm prices and availability with the host theatre; the Liviu Ciulei Hall box office can be reached on 0735 835 675.

Final days of “Catalizator III” at Hanul Gabroveni

A visit to the Old Town can include the “Catalizator III” exhibition, open at ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni until Sunday, 25 October. It brings together works by 50 artists selected nationwide, offering an introduction to the concerns and artistic approaches of a new generation of creators.

The exhibition is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 to 20:00, and admission is free. The address is 84–90 Strada Lipscani. Its opening hours make it easy to include in a walk through the city centre without setting aside an entire evening.

READ ALSO: 5 Instagrammable places in Bucharest in autumn: where to find beautiful backdrops for your photos bucharest.ro

Historical re-enactments at the Arch of Triumph for Romanian Armed Forces Day

On Sunday, 25 October, from 15:00 to 17:00, the Arch of Triumph hosts an event marking Romanian Armed Forces Day. Members of the Tradiția Militară Association present military historical re-enactments, uniforms and equipment, alongside ceremonial tributes and commemorative moments.

The outdoor activities are free to attend, and the organisers have announced accessibility provisions for people with hearing disabilities. The event takes place in Piața Arcul de Triumf, Sector 1.

Visiting the monument’s interior requires a separate ticket. Weekend opening hours are 11:00–19:00, with last admission at 18:30. Tickets cost 15 lei for adults and 8 lei for school pupils, university students and pensioners. Preschool children and people with disabilities receive free admission, according to the administrator’s announcement.

A free exhibition opening and recital at Mogoșoaia Palace

For an outing just outside Bucharest, Mogoșoaia Palace hosts two consecutive cultural events on Saturday, 24 October. At 15:00, the Ground Floor Palace Gallery and Ghețărie Gallery host the opening of “Architecture of the Unseen”, part of a symposium bringing together 73 artists from 28 countries. Through painting, sculpture, photography, installation and video, the works explore memory, identity and relationships. Admission to the opening is free.

At 16:00, the Sala Scoarțelor hosts “Rezonanțe Sonore pe Armonii de festival”, a recital by young performers. The programme includes music by Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms and Sibelius. The recital is also free to attend.

Address: 1 Strada Valea Parcului, Mogoșoaia, Ilfov County. “Architecture of the Unseen” remains open until 1 November. Free admission to the opening and recital does not mean that all museum spaces within the complex can be visited free of charge.