Climbing festivals

Inspiration, Lezecký život

The spring of 2023 is approaching and with it the new outdoor climbing season and new climbing festivals. There are some really great festivals in Europe and America to check out and rock out to. Today, however, we will focus primarily on the European scene, where you can find everything from standard rock climbing, through joint festivals to the urban boulder festival in Italy. So where to go in 2023? We will look together in Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and Britain. Together we will find out what Europe is hiding and maybe we will meet at a festival!

North Italian rocks

1. Italy

Italy has perhaps the most climbing festivals in Europe. It is partly because of how nice it is there, and partly because they have a very long climbing tradition.

San Vito Climbing Festival

A short distance from Palermo in Sicily is climbing San Vito festival. It has been held since 2009 and every year hundreds of climbers go there, including the world's best. It climbs in area of San Vito Lo Capo, where you will find a large number of sports routes and boulders of all levels of difficulty.

When: November
Admission: Free
Where: Sicily

BLUBLOC

BluBloc is an outdoor bouldering competition in northern Italy. Festivals and competitions have been held here since 2014 and have always attracted hundreds of climbers. Climbing is here in climbing on beautiful rocks in the north-west of Italy. Although it is primarily a competition, you do not have to participate in it. You can arrive in peace and climb without the worry of hundreds of other enthusiasts. In terms of difficulty, everyone will find something here. The scale extends to V15 (8C+)

When: October
Admission: 15 euro for competitors
Where: Alpicella, Varazze (Northwest Italy)

2. Britain, Sheffield – Crack fest

We wouldn't be us if we didn't mention something about joint climbing. The main crack climbing festival is Crack Fest in Sheffield, organized by Wide Boyz. Unfortunately, this festival is already sold out this year, but it is held every year.

We wouldn't be us if we didn't mention something about joint climbing. Main joint climbing the festival is Crack Fest in Sheffield, hosted by Wide Boyz. Unfortunately, this festival is already sold out this year, but it is held every year. 

A ticket costs 35 pounds and a plane ticket to England, which is certainly not as community-friendly as the aforementioned festivals. But if you like joints (as we do) and watch Wide Boyz videos, you might try to come here sometime.
When: March
Admission: 35 pounds
Where: Sheffield, UK

3. France, Women's Bouldering Festival Fontainebleu

Women's Climbing Festival at Fontainebleu is not what it seems. It is a very pleasant climbing community that gathers at the festival not far from Paris, on the sandstones of Font. No, you don't have to be a woman to attend this festival. But it is definitely in female command, and the dynamics here - according to mentor and operator Helen - are purely female. So if you are interested, want to support the community in France and reach great sandstone, this climbing festival is for you!

If you're interested in more, go ahead PULL to the linked page of the festival, where you can also read something about the mission and leadership.

When: TBD
Admission: Free
Where: Fontainebleu, France

4. Germany, Frankenjura festival

The Frankenjura Climbing Festival is one of the closest climbing festivals to us. Organized in Germany (a bit of a problem for those who don't know), it offers, in cooperation with Petzl, lectures, seminars, tips and tricks and, of course, climbing in the world-famous Frankenjura. The festival itself lasts 4 days and is filled to bursting with themes and climbing opportunities. Along with that, Frankenjura fest regularly receives world-class climbers, so there is always something to learn!

When: TBD
Admission: Symbolic if you want to sleep over
Where: Frankenjura, Germany

5. Norway, Arctic Ice Festival

We definitely won't meet here (we don't climb in winter) but still we had to introduce this very expensive and exclusive festival. Arctic Ice Fest is, after all, what you think. Ice climbing festival beyond the Norwegian Arctic Circle. This year's (2023) rotation has already ended, but applications for 2024 open in September. The price is high (see for yourself here) but it looks worth it. This is an intensive ice climbing course from professional instructors and seasoned Norwegian climbers. So if ice and snow climbing is your thing, check it out again in September!

When: February
Admission: Large
Where: Norway

Czech Republic

It wouldn't be the same if we didn't mention some Czech climbing festival here. Specifically, the International Mountaineering Film Festival, which has been held annually in Teplice nad Metují for decades. The festival is traveling and Teplice has its finale. It flies all over Bohemia between February and March, so you can stop by for screenings of new climbing films, probably somewhere close to home. There is no better way to follow this festival than on its official Facebook page: International Mountaineering Film Festival - Official Site. We highly recommend it so you don't miss a screening at your place!

Around and Around

The category "climbing festivals" is really big and contains a lot of different places and events. We have selected those that we consider interesting and a bit unconventional. If we didn't mention your favorite, it's not because we don't think it's good, it just didn't fit here. There are many beautiful festivals. Don't limit yourself to this "guide" and look for some events in your area. Delving deeper into the climbing community is never a bad idea! Maybe something similar closer to home will happen soon...

VARP, boulder Cut