Kayak Fest

Kayak Fest is three days on the water at Batllava Lake, about forty minutes northeast of Prishtina. The third edition runs 14 to 16 August, on the stretch of shore the organisers call Te Plepat, at Plazhi 6.

The days belong to the lake. Kayaks, paddleboards and an inflatable aqua park stay open throughout, alongside water volleyball, go-karts, badminton and a trampoline. Mornings open with CrossFit and yoga on the shore, and most afternoons there is something to race in: a doubles kayak heat, a SUP go-cart sprint, a run at the aqua park. Mascots and face painting run daily for the kids.

Evenings turn it into a festival proper. Friday belongs to NRG Band, Saturday to Nita Latifi and then MC Kresha with Lyrical Son, and DJs carry all three nights past eleven. DJ Regard closes the whole thing on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday morning is the serious one. Dardan's Challenge is a multi-stage race built around speed, agility and endurance, with registration at nine and the official start at ten. It is open to anyone over eighteen holding a festival ticket who signs up in advance, and first place pays 1000 euros in both the men's and women's fields.