When: December 5 - 7, 2008Where: Peasant’s Museum, BucharestAbout: Marking the start of the festive season, this fair features the work of approximately 200 artisans. The show is a hallmark of the holiday season in Bucharest. From traditional wood and pottery items, decorative rugs and glass icons to hand-made jewelry, holiday shoppers will be able to find something for everyone on their list.

Saint Nicholas Fair

Christmas Carols Festival

“Come, Christians, to Bethleem!”

When: December 14, 2008Where: Viseul de Sus, Maramures CountyAbout: folk groups present traditional winter customs and sing carols as a preparation for the winter holidays that are about to come.

“Florile Dalbe” Festival

When: December 13 - 14, 2008Where: The Village Museum, BucharestAbout: “Florile Dalbe” Festival features Christmas customs, carol concerts and food tasting around the Christmas Tree.

Christmas Traditions Festival

When: December 18, 2008Where: Targu Lapus - Maramures CountyAbout: Every last Sunday before Christmas, the downtown area of the city becomes crowded with villagers from Lapus ad Chioar Regions, both representing Maramures County. People wearing colorful costumes sing carols on their way to the local Performing Arts Center where dances and staged performances will take place.

“Marmatia 2008” Winter Customs Festival

When: December 27 - 28, 2008Where: Sighetu Marmatiei - Maramures CountyAbout: This festival is a celebration of the local traditions of “Marmatia”, a region in the north of Romania. The city hosts a series of Christmas-themed events: carol singing, dance performances, fairground rides, costumes and a masks parade.

Saint Archangels Mihail and Gavril’s Day

When: November 8, 2008Where: Maramures CountyAbout: the old wooden churches of Surdesti, Rogoz, Plopis, Rozavlea and Stramtura are now being celebrated. In the village of Unguresti, locals who bear the names of the two archaengels are celebrated through dance and music.

Festival of Folk Music, Dance and Traditions

When: November 15, 2008

Where: Dumbravita Village, Baia Mare RegionAbout: This region of Romania features an unique way of life, where history is written more on wood than on paper and traditions are carefully preserved along the years. Join in the folk celebrations and dance to the sounds of the “ceteras’ (traditional violin player). Afterwards, enjoy delicious local foods prepared by women of Dumbravita village, 5 miles away from Baia Mare. The locals dance for the last time before the beginning of the Christmas fasting period.