The Folk Pancake Festival, Maslenitsa, is returning to South Australia in February, and promises a day of fun, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and of course…pancakes!
Slavic in origin, Maslenitsa – hosted by South Australian not-for-profit cultural hub Prima Nota – traditionally celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring. While the festival does not have a fixed date, it has been adapted locally to suit Australia’s balmy summers and seasonal rhythms.
“[Maslenitsa] traditionally takes place in February or March, with its timing shifting each year according to the Orthodox Easter calendar, as it always precedes Lent,” says Prima Nota chairperson, Nina Iouguina.
Historically, the festival marks a seasonal transition – the movement from cold to warmth in the Northern Hemisphere. In Australia, where the seasons are reversed, the tradition is reinterpreted rather than copied by date alone.
“Here, Maslenitsa symbolises the idea of transition itself,” says Nina. “In our case, the shift from warmer months toward cooler ones, showing how traditions adapt as they travel and remain alive in new cultural contexts.”
The festival is also known as Butter Week or Pancake Week, with pancakes (blini) remaining the symbolic centrepiece of the celebration, because traditionally, their golden, round shape represents the sun and the return of light. Visitors can also expect food from a wide range of other cultures, including Persian, Asian, American and Western European cuisines, reflecting the diversity of the community itself.
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy live performances from a talented mix of folk dancers, choirs, musicians and theatre performers, alongside hands-on cultural art stations featuring ribbon poles, straw dolls, mask-making and crafts. Also hot on the day’s agenda will also be games and storytelling for both adults and children, community stalls and cultural displays, making for a truly joyful celebration.
This culturally-inclusive event at Linde Reserve in Stepney unites different communities and combines tradition, art and food in a warm and inviting atmosphere, giving migrants the opportunity to share a piece of their history.
“At its heart, Maslenitsa is about warmth, openness, and connection, bringing people together across cultures, generations, and backgrounds. That spirit is what we are most excited to share with Adelaide this year,” says Nina.
A truly sensory experience where you can kick back and listen to live music, feast on delicious food, and watch the sun set while the celebrations are in full swing.
Keen to get involved? There are multiple ways to take part in the festival, including performing, volunteering, running a cultural stall, or just sharing your story. Don’t miss out on this wonderful, culturally-rich celebration, and be sure to bring your appetite!
Folk Pancake Festival, Maslenitsa
When: Sunday 15 February, 2026 from 1pm – 9pm
Where: Linde Reserve, at 64 Nelson Street, Stepney, SA
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
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