Four Days When the Old Peninsula Turns Into One Long Stage
It is just past seven in the evening on 21 May and Piața Ovidiu is packed shoulder to shoulder. A string orchestra from the local college is finishing its set, the percussion group is already tuning behind them, and somewhere past the statue of the poet the smell of grills and fried dough drifts up from the food stalls. This is Ziua Constanței — the city's own day — and it opens a four-day municipal festival, Zilele Constanței, held each year around 21 May and coinciding with the Orthodox feast of Ss. Constantine and Elena, the city's patron saints. Almost everything is free. Most of it happens within walking distance of where you're standing.
Claim a Spot at Piața Ovidiu and Faleza Cazino
The peninsula's two main squares carry the evening programme, and the line-up changes nightly. Plan your evenings around them:
- 21 May, Piața Ovidiu, from 19:00: the College String Orchestra and Puls Percussion open, followed by Trupa Nado and then 3 Sud Est, hosted by Cătălin Dezbrăcatu.
- 22 May, Faleza Cazino, 19:00: Alexandra Ungureanu & Band perform in front of the Casino. Earlier the same day, at 17:00, the Philharmonic of Lamia from Greece gives an itinerant performance along the seafront, and at 18:00 living statues take over Piața Ovidiu with "Pe străzile Parisului."
- 22 May, Piața Ovidiu, from 20:00: Discoteca, then DJ Andrei K, then DJ MK 33's multimedia show at 22:00.
- 23 May, Piața Ovidiu, from 20:00: Elena Gheorghe, then Florin Ristei. At 18:00 the same evening, Equinox Quintet and Iasmine Demir play Faleza Cazinoului, and the Lamia Philharmonic returns for a concert in front of the Casino at 19:00.
- 24 May, Piața Ovidiu, 17:00: Dobrogean ensembles perform, hosted by Ionuț Dulgheriu.
Elsewhere in the city, Str. Ștefan cel Mare — the pedestrian stretch — hosts the "Regina Maria" National Arts College students in concert at 17:00 on 22 May, the Fanfara "Muzica Apelor" at 18:00 the same day, and living statues titled "Femei ale Marii Uniri" at 18:00 on 24 May. On 21 May at 17:00, the Fanfare of the Naval Forces plays at the Eminescu statue on Faleza Cazino.
Walk the Old Town With a Guide, Then Eat on Bd. Tomis
Two guided walks run across the festival and both are free. Dr. Cristian Cealera leads tours of the old peninsula on the theme "Pe străzile mai puțin cunoscute ale Constanței vechi," meeting at the Lupa Capitolina at 18:00 on 21–22 May and 11:00 on 23–24 May. Separately, "Pe Wall: Old Town Edition" covers the Old Town's murals and street art, meeting at Zbor Hub on Bd. Regina Elisabeta 2A at 10:30 and 16:30 on 23–24 May.
For food, head to the Food Truck Festival on Bd. Tomis along the Miga–Lupoaică stretch: it opens at 12:00 on 22 May and at 11:00 on 23–24 May. Bd. Tomis between Capitol and Bd. Ferdinand is also where the Aromanian National Day performances take place — 17:00 on 23 May and 17:00 on 24 May — so you can eat and watch in the same place. If you want something more structured, Zbor Hub runs a creative workshop, "Constanța – Orașul ideal," making moodboards at 18:00 on 21–22 May. Children's creative and recreational activities run at Faleza Cazino from 18:00 to 19:00 daily.
Museums After Dark and the Parade of Ethnic Communities
The museum programme is the quiet triumph of the festival. Across all four days, entry is free at the Museum of National History and Archaeology — including the Roman Mosaic Edifice and the Painted Tomb of Tomis — the Art Museum, the Museum of Folk Art, the Art Galleries, and the Natural Sciences Museum Complex with its Aquarium, Micro-reservation, Exotic Birds and Planetarium.
- Art Galleries: the exhibition "Constanța – memorie și identitate" runs 10:00–18:00 daily, free.
- Museum of Folk Art: a folk craftsmen fair (Târg de meșteri populari) runs 10:00–18:00.
- 23 May, Noaptea Muzeelor: the Art Museum is open 12:00–22:00; the Casino 18:00–23:00; the Museum of History and the Museum of Folk Art 18:00–24:00, all free. The folk art museum hosts a șezătoare — a traditional gathering — alongside temporary exhibitions.
- 23 May, Natural Sciences Museum, 20:00–22:30: astronomical observations on the Planetarium platform for European Museums Night, with 30-minute demonstrations at 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00. Capacity is 35, so arrive early.
On 24 May at 15:00, the Parade of Constanța's ethnic communities in traditional costume sets off along Str. Ștefan cel Mare, past the Cazino to Piața Ovidiu, accompanied by the Romanian Naval Forces Military Fanfare. It is the single best hour of the four days to simply stand on the pavement and watch.
Fill the Rest of Your Day, and Know What Needs Booking
Daytime slots are easy to fill. On 21 May at 09:00 the Cultural Centre "Teodor T. Burada" hosts a talk on the May feasts — Ascension and Ss. Constantine & Elena. Children aged 5–12 can join workshops at the Museum of History from 10:00 to 14:00 on the theme "Orașul în antichitate," though registration at comunicare@minac.ro closes on 19 May at 12:00. At 10:00 there's children's theatre, "Prințesa Purcelușă," at the "Căluțul de Mare" theatre, and at 15:00 the "I.N. Roman" library hosts talks on the history of the Băile de la Vii beach and old Constanța. On 22 May at 12:00 the same library covers "Stațiunea Mamaia. 120 de ani de istorie," and at 14:00 the Art Museum opens a Florin Mocanu painting exhibition with an adult creation workshop. The "Artup" contemporary art exhibition opens at 11:00 on 22 May at Faleza Cazinoului, near the Armenian Monument Hacikar.
Evenings at the State Theatre, Sala Mare on Bd. Ferdinand 11, include a Comedy Show at 19:00 on 21 May, "Machinal" after Sophie Treadwell at 19:00 on 23 May, and "Memoria apei" by Shelagh Stephenson at 19:00 on 24 May. Note that while most events are free, some workshops require advance registration.
Base Yourself on the Peninsula
The festival's geography is compact: Piața Ovidiu, Faleza Cazino, Str. Ștefan cel Mare, Bd. Tomis and Bd. Ferdinand hold nearly everything, and all sit within the Old Town and its immediate edges. Book accommodation within that ring and you will walk to every concert, parade and museum on this list without once needing a taxi. Dates for 2026 are set — 21 to 24 May — so start with the nights of 21 and 22, when Piața Ovidiu runs latest, and let the rest of the programme arrange itself around them.