The Ljubljana Coffee Festival will mark its tenth anniversary with an expanded program at a new location, moving to the Center Rog cultural hub in the Slovenian capital. Scheduled for September 26-27, 2026, the event will feature a series of lectures, competitions, and tasting sessions aimed at both coffee professionals and enthusiasts.
A central component of the festival is 'The Lab,' a series of lectures and workshops from industry figures. The announced lineup includes Colombian producer Nestor Lasso of El Diviso, who will discuss experimental fermentation techniques. Dr. Samo Smrke from ZHAW in Zurich will present on the science of espresso, while Lori Brncic of Filteraj in Zagreb will cover coffee pairings with plant-based milks. The program also includes the premiere of a documentary on Colombian coffee.
Signaling a focus on regional market development, the festival will host a panel discussion on the evolution of the specialty coffee scene in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. For B2B attendees, a 'Roasters Village' and 'Sensory Cupping Room' will feature international roasters and green coffee importers, with Cofinet, Unroasted, Cata Export, and Covoya among the announced participants. The event will also include a Barista Battle Challenge and a Latte Art Throwdown.