Local Events

Rijeka Carnival (January-February)

Over a hundred years ago this carnival was extremely popular with heads of state and aristocrats arriving to celebrate from all over Europe. Revived in 1982, the events now include dances, concerts and masked balls. The main carnival procession is held on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

International Documentary Film Festival, Zagreb (March)

ZagrebDox is an international documentary film festival taking place in Zagreb every year. Launched in 2005, the festival is intended to provide audiences and experts insight into recent documentary films, stimulate national documentary production and boost international and regional cooperation in co-productions.

Croatia Boat Show, Split (April)

The Croatia Boat Show is held annually In the Mediterranean beauty of the harbour and just outside of Diocletian's Palace and the Cathedral of St. Duje. Manufacturers offer everything nautical from jet skiing, boat accessories to luxury yachts. Exhibitors marquees are lined up along the harbour promenade and the accompanying boats and yachts can be admired in the harbour.

International Children's Festival, Šibenik (June)

The festival celebrates children’s imagination and creativity and brings together a myriad of events in the town of Šibenik. The cultural event is spread all over the town, with every single square dedicated to children. Domestic and international children’s ensembles, creative workshops and educational programmes attract people from all over the world.

Croatian Summer Salsa Festival, Rovinj (June – July)

In every corner of the town of Rovinj, the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival celebrates all things Salsa. Many international performers in locations throughout the city offer lessons, parties and concerts, providing an unforgettable summer experience for salsa enthusiasts, who arrive from countries worldwide.

Festival of Dalmatian Klapa, Omiš (July)

Omiš is famous for the Festival of Dalmatian Klapas. Established in 1967, it soon became the central meeting place of Dalmatia's musical heritage and has grown into a cultural institution of great importance and reputation. ‘Klapa’ in the Dalmatian dialect means company or group. Its basic characteristic and distinction are vocal harmony-singing, only rarely, discreetly and quietly accompanied by instruments. Klapa singing has very long tradition derived from medieval church songs.

Rijeka Summer Nights (July)

During the summer months, Trsat fortress, Rijeka’s squares, streets and terraces all become a theatre stage. Famous city sites, as well as more obscure locations are turned into the backdrop for actors and theatre equipment. Classical music concerts, theatre productions, street theatre and pop concerts all feature in the Rijeka Summer Nights festival.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July-August)

During Dubrovnik Summer Festival a full programme of music, ballet, theatre, dance, traditional and film events take place in various venues across the city. With approximately 2000 artists from all over the world descending on Dubrovnik for the event, the festival is a cauldron of creativity.

Pula Film Festival (July)

Pula Film Festival has been held every summer since 1954 at the Roman amphitheatre, known as the Pula Arena. The festival comprises of a selection of Croatian and foreign films, and presents the Golden Arenas (the national film awards). Apart from Croatian and foreign films, the programme also features children’s films.

Full Moon Festival, Zadar (August)

This annual lunar celebration begins at dusk. The town´s inhabitants turn off their lights and congregate on the candlelit Riva, Zadar´s promenade to enjoy a night of Croatian music, food and folklore. Boats are transformed into floating markets selling fish, cheese and fruit from all corners of the Dalmatian region, while down on the beach, revellers sing and dance until daybreak.

Varaždin Baroque Evenings, Varaždin (September)

Varaždin cherishes its Baroque splendour and shows it with pride. Come autumn, the churches and concerts venues of this city are filled with the music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and other masters. In the course of four decades the festival has played host to a range of eminent soloist and ensembles of Baroque music. One of its special features are performances on original instruments. Authentic food and drink are offered to complement the atmosphere.

Istrian Truffle Days, Motovun (September - November)

The Motovun forest in the very heart of Istria, stretches along the valley of the Mirna river underneath the town of Motovun. This luscious forest area hides one of the most precious fruits of the land – a truffle. The ’Day of Truffles’ events are a succession of truffle-themed days taking place every weekend. The events include a truffle fair, an international exhibition of wine and other indigenous Istrian products (such as Istrian prosciutto, sausage, cheese, honey, olive oil, schnapps etc), culinary workshops, demonstrations of truffle hunting in the forest, and various tastings.

Festival of Animated Film, Zagreb (November)

The World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb is the second oldest festival in the world dedicated entirely to the art of animation. For more than forty years it has been systematically following world production through many programmes: competitions, retrospectives, exhibitions, lectures, meetings with the filmmakers, academic symposiums, workshops for children and professionals, and screenings. It is one of the most significant and most popular events in the festival circuit.