As Slovenia’s second-oldest festival, it successfully continues and enriches the tradition of hosting classical music festivals spanning more than half a century. Until 2008, when its artistic director, the renowned Australian violinist Richard Tognetti, proposed its current name, the festival had undergone a long and fruitful journey – from its Baroque origins (Baroque Music Festival 1968–1993, led by Janko Šetinc) to its postmodern transformations (Musical September 1994–2007, led by Radovan Vlatković).

The programme of Festival Maribor follows the standards of European classical music. However, its contemporaneity, educational role, and communicative approach are reflected in its openness to diverse genres and innovative, engaging presentation of classical music to the broadest audience, including youth and children. It is the first Slovenian festival to regularly organise classical music concerts for infants and toddlers. Through specially tailored interactive and digitally supported projects, it also effectively engages young audiences. By organising concerts outside traditional venues, it extends the reach of classical music and other forms of musical and sound art, bringing them to people who might not otherwise attend concert halls. With programmes curated by internationally acclaimed musicians – including Nicolas Altstaedt, Simon Trpčeski, and Mate Bekavac – as well as performances by top domestic and international soloists and ensembles, the festival’s successful model of breaking stereotypes, promoting intensive communication, and attracting new audiences highlights the uniqueness and distinctiveness of Festival Maribor, both in Slovenia and internationally. At the same time, it plays a central role in the festival's ongoing development. The wide international acclaim of Festival Maribor, which holds national and international importance, is no coincidence. It enjoys a great reputation which is also evidenced by regular collaborations with world-famous musicians and glowing reviews in both Slovenian and international media, placing it among Europe’s most distinguished music festivals.