People of Maramureș devoutly keep Christian celebrations intertwined with folk rituals, agricultural traditions and music. Alongside the major religious holidays, several secular customs with long-standing roots are still held every year in Maramureș.
Tânjaua de pe Mara (The Mara Ploughing Tradition)
One of the oldest folk customs in Maramureș, first recorded in 1870. This tradition honours the first villager to plough his field in spring — a festive procession with decorated horses, music and celebration.
Jocul la șură (Dancing at the Barn)
The whole village gathers in a farmyard for folk dancing to live fiddlers. Music plays well into the night as locals and visitors alike join in traditional round-dances.
Nu vă uitați că-s micuț (Don't disregard me because I am little)
A celebration dedicated to children: groups from across Maramureș gather in the beautiful village on the Cosău valley to sing and dance in traditional folk costumes.
The Goulash Festival
A competition between amateur and professional chefs cooking the tastiest goulash — a dish with centuries-old pastoral roots now firmly part of Maramureș tradition. After the judging, everyone tastes the food and drinks horincă (local plum brandy).
Festival of Winter Traditions and Customs
Held every year since 1968, this festival preserves and passes on winter customs. Alongside people from Maramureș, tradition-bearers join from Bistrița-Năsăud, Oaș, Bucovina, Ukraine, Banat, Dobrogea and Oltenia.