Golden Snowflake (Zlatna pahulja)
An international children's song festival lighting up Rožaje each winter.
Rožaje sits deep in the mountains of the north-east, and in February the town is reliably wrapped in winter — exactly the backdrop the festival's name promises. The atmosphere is that of a genuine town celebration: snow outside, a packed hall inside, and children premiering songs nobody has heard before.
The format is built around brand-new music: original children's compositions are premiered on stage and judged by a professional jury that includes music editors from RTCG, Montenegro's public broadcaster. Every song is heard for the first time on the festival stage, which gives both evenings the charge of a genuine premiere.
The first evening is a national competition — eighteen young Montenegrin talents performed in 2026 — while the second is the international night, which in 2026 welcomed young singers from Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Slovenia. The hosts are the Pahulje choir and dance group of the Rožaje Culture Centre.
Thirty-three editions have made the festival a point of local pride: a small northern town staging an international event for children, year after year, on the strength of its Culture Centre and its choir. For visitors wintering in the north, it is a rare and warm-hearted window into local life.
The festival takes place over two evenings in February — usually mid-to-late month, varying year to year; the 2026 edition was held in mid-February — at the Culture Centre in Rožaje. Entry is free.
What to expect
33 editions strong
Rožaje has hosted the children's song festival for over three decades.
New songs only
Every performance premieres an original children's composition written for the festival.
Nine countries in 2026
The international night brought young singers from nine European countries.
Professional jury
Entries are judged by a jury that includes RTCG music editors.
Free winter evenings
Both competition nights at the Culture Centre are free to attend.
A winter window into the north
Two festival evenings offer a warm, local slice of Rožaje's snowbound February.
What happens when
February 26 – 27, 2027
- Evening one — national nightYoung Montenegrin performers premiere new children's songs written for the festival
- Evening two — international nightYoung singers from across Europe — the 2026 edition welcomed nine countries, from Bulgaria to Slovenia
- HostsThe Pahulje choir and dance group of the Rožaje Culture Centre, with a professional jury including RTCG music editors
Where it takes place
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Winter Ascent of Hajla — Safet Mavrić Ćako Memorial
The region's most massive winter mountaineering ascent — Hajla, 2,403 m, each February from Rožaje.
Kontrasti
Three free December evenings of classical music spotlighting young artists.
New Year’s Eve in Herceg Novi
Three days of New Year’s programme on Nikola Đurković Square in Herceg Novi, with performances by regional music stars from 31 December to 2 January.
