Our experience at the wild west fest -on fire- 2025
From August 8 to 10, 2025, the idyllic Lake Zbilje in Medvode (Slovenia) turned into the European Wild West with a new edition of the Wild West Fest on Fire. Three days of country music, dance workshops, American vehicle exhibitions, rodeo, gastronomy, and western spirit attracted thousands of visitors from all over the continent.
A corner of the Old West in the heart of Europe
Considered the largest western, country, and BBQ festival in Slovenia —and one of the strongest in Europe— the Wild West Fest on Fire 2025 once again brought together the very best of cowboy lifestyle in one single place. Located next to Lake Zbilje, the natural surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for an event that blends tradition, American culture, and family-friendly entertainment.
Highlights
A wide variety of experiences were offered during the weekend:
Live music and plenty of country dancing
Slovenian and international country bands took the stage with concerts that kept the audience dancing well into the night. The Truffle Valley Boys, ReAcoustic, Rockin' Bonnie Western Bound Combo, Nardin, Parvani Violet, and the charismatic Fabio Canu lit up the stage and dance floor with their best tunes.
In addition, the following were organised workshops two-stepdirected by Jose and Silvia (Es) and also of line dancewhere beginners and experts alike were able to learn and practice classic country dance steps. In this year's edition we have been accompanied by David Prestor (Si), Jgor Pasin (It), Virginie Barjaud (Fr), Lilly & Mario Hollnsteiner (At), Petra & Andrej Bohnec (Si) and our great friend and best choreographer David Villellas (Es).
BBQ at its best
One of the big attractions was the international BBQ competitionwhich attracted professional teams from all over Europe to compete in different categories of smoking and grilling.
The highlight was the exclusive "Holy Cow BBQ Master ClassThe event will be given by Joe Zavalapitmaster of Zavala's Barbecue (Texas, USA). Participants learned authentic "low & slow" techniques and tasted Texas brisket, ribs and tacos directly from expert hands.
Exhibition of American vehicles
There was also the spectacular US classic car rally.The show features muscle cars, pick-up trucks, Harley-Davidson motorbikes and even pick-up trucks decorated in western style. An impressive visual experience for lovers of motoring and American aesthetics.
Environments and experiences
The enclosure was completed with:
- Western flea marketBoots, boots, belts, denim, hats, leather goods, other accessories and even a barbershop!
- Gastronomic areaBBQ, craft beer and Tex-Mex food trucks.
- Camping and free parking throughout the weekend and picnic area inside the venue.
Wild West Fest on Fire 2025 was not just a festival: it was a total immersion in the country spirit. Music, culture, food and community came together to create an unforgettable experience in the heart of Europe. Whether you're a lover of country, BBQ, American cars or just looking for an adventure with a difference, this festival has earned its place in the European summer calendar.
Attention! The dates for the next edition are already confirmed: 7-9 August 2026 and super early bird tickets will go on sale on 1 October 2025. You can find more info at the official website
