Croatia is a country of ancient history, natural beauty and a rich modern culture. From summer days on the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea to the hills and landscapes of the interior, each place within Croatia has something special to offer, and every month in Croatia brings on a new celebration. Full of festivals and events that reflect the country’s history and cultural heritage, you can find a year-round celebration to take part in!
Whether you enjoy learning about new cultures, are a foodie or simply looking for a unique experience in local traditions, visiting Croatia is an unforgettable holiday no matter the time of year. Join us as we explore a calendar full of festivals in Croatia!
January: A Festive Start to the Year
New Year's in Rovinj
Rovinj is a coastal town within the Istrian Peninsula. This city starts the year with a three-day-long New Year Festival. This celebration brings the streets of Rovinj to life, which are full of music performances and local cuisine. Plenty of little shops and stalls along the streets sell local Istrian products and traditional dishes from the region. As the clock strikes midnight, the sky lights up with a brilliant fireworks show.
Truffle Days in Istria
January marks the new year but it’s also the beginning of Istria’s most beloved traditions: Truffle Days! This festival is a food lovers paradise, calling foodies from all over Croatia and the world to experience the delicacy of Istrian truffles. Here, they are referred to as the “diamonds of the kitchen” and during this festival, you can join guided tours for truffle hunting and foraging. Local chefs even showcase their recipes in live cooking classes. Apart from celebrating this rich ingredient, this festival also highlights the cultural preservation of tradition in the harvest.
February: Carnival Celebrations
Karneval u Pulu
During February, the city of Pula comes alive with its annual celebration of Karneval. The Pula Carnival is a large festival of parades, traditional dances, parties and costumes that bring these historic streets to life! During Carnival, the main squares throughout the city are full of locals and tourists dressed in elaborate costumes, dancing, drinking and eating. This celebration usually coincides with marking the start of Lent and the new spring season.
Rijeka Karneval
Not far from the city of Pula, is the city of Rijeka, which also hosts one of the largest and most famous carnivals in Croatia. The Rijeka Karneval is a big event throughout the country and has gained international recognition. It dates back to the 19th century and has grown into a month-long celebration that is extravagant. The celebrations begin with the “Raising of the Pust”, which is a traditional event where the past year’s bad luck and misfortunes are hung and then burned at the end of the carnival to symbolise a fresh start.
The city is full of parades, floats, marching bands and costumes. There is even a masquerade ball and other concerts and parties held throughout the month. As one of Croatia’s largest and most celebrated carnivals, it is a must-see when visiting Croatia in February.
https://rove.me/
March: Run, run, run
Plava Laguna Half Marathon
The Plava Laguna Half Marathon is a major sports event held annually in Poreč, Croatia, usually at the end of March. Hosted at Zelena Resort, the event offers not just a half marathon, but also a 10K race, a Family Run, and the Pepi Kids Run. It’s a family-friendly weekend with activities including pasta parties, live music, and children’s entertainment. The Family Run race is particularly special as its participation fees are donated to charity. Registration will open soon, and the event promises a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful coastal scenery, and a well-organised experience.
April: A Taste of Istria
Istrian Aspargus Festival
During this month, the peninsula of Istria celebrates the region’s most cherished and traditional ingredient: wild asparagus! The festival of asparagus is held throughout various towns and villages all over Istria and highlights the region’s love for the vegetable. Known locally as “šparoga”, this is a key ingredient in many dishes. Used in pasta and Croatian frittata, it is often paired with seafood and truffles from the region. Don’t miss your chance to take part in cooking classes and hunt for wild šparoga in the Istrian forests.
May: Living Fest
WEEKEND OUTDOOR FESTIVAL
For those of you who love electronic music, the WEEKEND OUTDOOR FESTIVAL is the perfect place to be to enjoy the sea and summer vibes. Held in the coastal town of Fažana, the festival features many performances from an impressive lineup of DJs and electronic music artists, blending a mix of house, and techno. The festival takes place right on the beach with the Brijuni Islands easily seen from the shores. It’s the perfect festival to celebrate the summer.
June: Dancing into Summer
Salsa Festival in Rovinj
June in Rovinj is all about enjoying the start of summer with Latin music and salsa dancing. This renowned Croatian Summer Salsa Festival is a lively event that typically takes place in the last week of June and calls salsa lovers from all over Europe and the world. The festival includes demonstrations from the world’s best salsa instructors and even includes workshops for bachata and kizomba. The festival has open-aired dance parties and boat cruises. It’s the perfect celebration for anyone who loves to dance and have a good time!
In 2024, the festival was cancelled. However, the excitement has been postponed to 2025.
Summer in Kaštel
The town of Kaštel is another cultural hotspot in June, hosting the annual Summer in Kaštel festival. This event runs from mid-June through to July and offers an array of jazz, contemporary and classical performances in historic buildings and mediaeval castles all over Kaštel. There are even some art exhibits on display throughout the town showcasing local and international artists. It is an important event to highlight Croatian art, music and culture.
July: Full-Swing in Festival, Sporty and Cultural Season
Pula Festival
July in Pula is known for its fun nightlife thanks to the Pula Summer of Culture. This festival is a month-long celebration of music, dance and theatre. Held in the Pula Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century AD, this unique venue gives this festival a special setting for all of its performances. .
ATP Croatia Open Umag
As the beginning of Spring is upon Croatia, there is no better way to enjoy the longer days than to experience the ATP Croatia Open in Umag. This is a prestigious tournament that highlights the best of Europe’s tennis players. This is a week-long tournament and is full of thrilling matches from top players. The tournament first began in 1990 and throughout the years has gained popularity and stature. Apart from enjoying the matches by day, the evenings are full of live music events, beach parties and food events.
The International Film Festival of Pula
March rings in a month of celebrating culture and cinema. This is one of the oldest film festivals held in Croatia and has been a staple event in the country’s film industry since it began in 1954. It is an annual event that is held in the Roman amphitheatre called the Pula Arena.
The Pula International Film Festival attracts actors, filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from all over Croatia and the world. It displays international films but also independent films and documentaries. It hosts a variety of workshops for actors, directors and filmmakers, including panel discussions and networking events. It’s a vital event in the world of film and a must-see for any cinema lover.
August: Films and Music Under the Stars
Ballad Festival of Pula
In Pula, August also brings the Ballad Festival, a music festival that fills the city with the sounds of both international and Croatian artists. Held in various historic venues across the city, including the iconic Pula Arena, this festival is a celebration of music and love songs. It includes performances from both local and international talents. It is a great way to enjoy some beautiful music on the warm summer nights of Pula.
Motovun Film Festival
This event offers a mix of cinema and the great outdoors! The Motovun Outdoor Film Festival is held in the small hilltop town of Motovun and is popular for its open-air screenings of films. It usually takes place over 5 days in late July to early August and showcases the best in Croatian and international films. The festival includes a variety of events, such as Q&As with filmmakers, workshops, and panel discussions.
September: A Month of Classics and Gourmet Delights
The Fishermen's Evenings
The Evenings of Fishing Tradition in Rovinj is a celebration that highlights the town’s rich maritime heritage. The annual event is organised by the Tourist Board of Rovinj-Rovigno and highlights the traditions and customs of the Rovinj’s fishermen. One of the main activities is the launching of a traditional Banana Boat, with live music and a parade through the old town. The festival also offers traditional local cuisine offered by the fishermen of freshly caught fish and Istiran specialities. You can take part in these celebrations every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from July through the end of September.
Istria Gourmet Festival
September also brings on a festival celebrating the region’s rich culinary traditions. This festival is perfect for any food lover, full of cooking demonstrations led by top chefs and tastings of local ingredients. Try local products like seafood, olive oil, wine and truffles.
October: Wine and Jazz Celebrations
Zagreb Jazz Festival
In October, wine and food are flowing throughout the country but in the nation’s capital of Zagreb, jazz music is in the air! The Zagreb Jazz Festival is held every year in October and is the main cultural event of the year. There are many concerts, workshops and masterclasses that take place with emerging artists and maestros in the world of jazz.
Wine Festival of Istria
Vinistra is the region’s most prestigious wine festival and has become a staple in Istrian wine culture. Taking place in Poreč, the Vinistra Wine Fair is a top event that brings together wine lovers, producers and experts to celebrate the Istrian wine traditions. It is an annual event that showcases a wide variety of local wines including Malvasia and Teran, which you can sample and learn how each bottle is produced. At Vinistra, you can take part in guided tastings, learn about particular products and talk to expert winemakers.
November: Get into the Holiday Spirit
Christmas by the Sea in Rovinj
In November, Croatia begins to get into the holiday spirit and the town of Rovinj puts on a month-long celebration to mark the advent, taking place each weekend in November. The festival hosts Christmas markets where you can buy local holiday foods and desserts, holiday decorations and unique gifts from local artisans. The market has a section offering traditional food and drink stands where you can try mulled wine, local pastries and snacks. Get into the holiday mood by ice skating in Valdibora Square or enjoy a live music performance.
December: Christmas Celebrations in Full Swing!
Christmas in Pula
Once December arrives, the city of Pula becomes a Christmas hub full of holiday cheer! The celebration known as “Advent u Puli” takes place every year from late November through early January and transforms Pula into a winter wonderland. Enjoy Christmas markets all around the city, from Forum Square to Giardini. Each market offers handmade crafts, decorations and local holiday pastries. Sip on hot chocolate or mulled wine and you stroll the streets and take in the holiday spirit. Don’t forget to take the little ones to the ice skating rink in Giardini for some family fun!
Year-Round Fun in Croatia
As you plan your visit to Croatia to experience some of the many cultural events and festivals, there’s no better place than in the heart of Istria. As you can see, there are many calendar events throughout the country, but nothing like the towns of the Istrian region! They have so many activities to offer throughout the calendar year, from dancing on the beaches in Summer to tasting artisanal wines in the autumn, the region has many different cultural events.
For a safe and comfortable trip, stay at one of Solis Poreč‘s many beautiful accommodations. With a diverse range of rental properties that will cater to different needs and preferences, from intimate apartments in the old town to larger villas on the outskirts and seaside, each property is designed to guarantee an enjoyable stay!
No matter your travel needs or the month that you choose to visit, Solis Poreč has the ideal accommodation for you and your family. Book your stay and get ready to experience the beauty and culture of Croatia!
