Festivals and events in Romania: what’s on the agenda this August and September

As summer draws to an end, the number of festivals and cultural events held in Bucharest is increasing although some opportunities are still available in the country. Below is a selection for the end of the season and the beginning of fall. Smida Jazz Festival August 17 – August 19, Smida, Belis, Cluj This festival is focused on promoting contemporary jazz and novel approaches in jazz music. It takes place in the village of Smida, at the heart of the Apuseni Nature Park, a protected area that encompasses no less than 1,500 caves and several underground glaciers, such as the Scărișoara Glacier or the Live Fire Glacier. In addition to concerts, the public can attend yoga sessions, a treasure hunt, guided tours of the surroundings, public readings and various workshops. More here. Awake Festival August 17 – August 19, Teleki Estate, Gornesti, Mures This year, the festival's lineup includes names such as Morcheeba, Milky Chance, Wilkinson, The Subways, Fink, Subcarpați, Ivan & The Parazol, Mihail, and Fran Palermo. Among the local artists, Vita de Vie will perform alongside the Tîrgu Mureș State Philharmonic. Besides various workshops on topics as diverse as technology, nutrition or entrepreneurship, the festival will also host the TIFF Films Caravan, with a selection of the best Romanian shorts presented at the Transilvania International Film Festival. More here. Undercloud Independent Theater Festival August 22 - August 31, Bucharest The festival has added two new sections this year, dedicated to dance and to performance. It will host over 35 events, and guests from Romania, England, China, France, Israel, Poland and Portugal. In addition to theater shows, the public can attend reading and dance performances, workshops, conferences and book launches. More on the program here. Cerbul de Aur August 29 - September 2, Brasov Revived after a nine-year break, the event has a festival and a competition part. The lineup includes names such as James Blunt, Amy Macdonald, Nicole Scherzinger, Gigliola Cinquetti, Edvin Marton, and Eleni Foureira. More here. George Enescu International Competition September 1 - September 23, Bucharest