Fishermen’s Nights
Usually take place on a Friday evening in July and August (sometimes into early September) in small villages, bigger towns, on the coast and islands, in fact anywhere with a seaside!
Situated along the waterfront, and sometimes candle-lit, there are fish and seafood snack stalls serving local catch and seating areas with tables and chairs. Sometimes the fishermen deliver from their own boats for all to see or join in the cooking of the fish dishes. Wine and beer stands serve a variety of drinks and there is usually good live music in the open air. Locals always support these events and visitors are very welcome. Just walk in.
Summer Festivals
Towns, cities have these, usually from mid/late June until mid/late September with a wide range of events including music, sport, theatre, dance, gastronomy, live music, open-air cinema.
Talk to us or look up the place you are considering. Details of summer festivals usually appear on the tourism website of the place. Some well in advance and others only around a month in advance.
A few of the rather distinct ones are:
Dubrovnik Summer Festival, every year, 11 July-25 August
In 2025 it will be the 76th year, this is very specific with emphasis on Croatian literature and theatre, namely the celebration of the works of Marin Drzic (the William Shakespeare of Croatia) and there is a theatre named after him. Wider appeal events include musical concerts in the Rector’s and Sponza Palace (tickets required), often by Dubrovnik or Zagreb Symphony Orchestras and international guest orchestras. Performers from around the world make up the line-up and a London based theatre company teams up with a local one to have a season of live theatre (in English) on the stage of the amazing St Lawrence Fortress (which is actually part of the Dubrovnik city walls). Previous plays have included A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear.
Split Summer Festival, every year, mid July to mid August
With Diocletian’s Palace at the core of the old city, it is not surprising that many events have a distinct “Roman” flavour. You may see strolling gladiators, costumed “emperors” (local actors) arriving in horse-drawn carriages. Croatia’s second city offers top-quality theatre, cultural events and at least one opera, often using the outdoor stage in Peristyle or other old town squares. (tickets required). The beaches of Bacvice (sandy) and Znjan have their own live events and 2025 sees the opening of the new Znjan beach waterfront representing a multi-million investment of seafront promenades lined with palm trees, new restaurants, bars and performance areas together with children’s facilities and improved beach areas (mostly small pebbles).
Omis Klapa Festival
Around 25 kilometres south of Split, Omis is a traditional, Dalmatian town with an interesting history. Everywhere in the Dalmatia region there is klapa singing. These are male and female choirs singing a capella and the performers often wear local costume. They sing in the evening in main squares, near restaurants and in many places. However, in Omis, the klapa festival is rather famous for the quality of the singers. Collected in the port usually one night in the third week of July. Songs, wonderful food and music and sometimes even klapa performances on small boats sailing along the Omis coastline. Usually free entry, boats may have ticket charge.
Omis Pirate Night Festival
This town was “pirate-central” so to say in the 13th century and there is a museum to this in the old town. Every year on 18 August, there is a spectacular re-enactment of pirate battles between the Venetian and the Omis pirates. Quite extraordinary for a small Dalmatian town and it takes place in Omis harbour. Expect a riot of colour, pageantry, a spectacular choice of homemade street food and drinks and traditional, Croatian live music. Unforgettable. Free.
Island of Rab, Rabska Fjera
This is the oldest and largest medieval summer festival in Croatia and dates back to 1364 following the liberating of Rab from Venetian rule. It takes place yearly from 25-27 July and the whole island (population around 3,000) spend the previous year preparing for it – this is a big event and quite amazing for a small island. Hotels sell out fast. Expect shepherds, witches, crafts people in costume showing how life was in medieval times, Rab crossbowmen, artisans and artists, an old medieval fishing village (cooking the catch) recreated on Rab town beach, music and dance, local warm snacks drinks – all in the main square and in tiny streets and hidden corners all across the beautiful walled old town. Usually amazing firework display on the last night.Free.
Island of Korcula , Korkyra Baroque Festival
This was established in 2012 to promote local and international music and cultural heritage. The term “baroque” is curious since there have been visiting flamenco orchestras from Spain in recent years. It is fantastic, takes place in and tickets are reasonably priced. Duration is two weeks usually around 1-16 September. Magical concert evenings in various venues, many outdoors. Strings, jazz, classical, flamenco – all have appeared featuring world-class, international musicians in recent years. Tickets (reasonable prices)
Island of Krk, festival called Krk Summer
For a small town, located on the sea (beautiful walled spot with palaces, fortresses and towers at every turn) Krk Town really does punch above its weight.
From mid June until mid September there’s an endless list of events, many on the fortress piazzas, ramparts and squares. Live music, plays, food stalls, special gastronomy and wine events, boat trips and costumed guides. Most free.
Fazana, on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula near Pula – all things blue
This was once a little fishing village. Still clear to see and local people still live their heritage of fishing for “blue fish” namely sardine and pilchard.
The summer festival in July and August clings to the “blue” aspect with gastronomy and music events with titles like “Rhapsody in Blue”. All along the waterfront with lamplight (sometimes blue!) and those bluefish make an appearance , not only on the plate but with competitions and “sardine academy” events. Worth a look – Live music and lovely white pebble beach. Most free
More summer festivals
In Pula (including the famous film festival in the Roman amphitheatre in June-July) , Sibenik. Porec, Opatija (in the open air summer theatre above the Adriatic), Zadar, Primosten, Crikvenica, Makarska, Cavtat, Varazdin, Zagreb, the islands of Brijuni Losinj, Cres, Hvar, Brac, and many more. Talk to us.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN APRIL, MAY, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER
There are too many to include all of them but these are worth a look and are usually excellent:
APRIL – Rijeka, the “Rijeka Run”. Calling runners to Croatia’s third city as springtime is a great time to run. Various events including the 21 km Half Marathon, the Molo Longo Breakwater Run at 6 kms together with 5km and 10 km runs. The evenings take on a party atmosphere with a big outdoor stage and live bands.
MAY – Mali Losinj, island of Losinj., the “Losinj Cuisine Festival”, usually for the whole month, highlighting culinary specialities from the island. There are various events and many restaurants offer special priced menus showcasing the island fare.
MAY – Baska, island of Krk, “Black Sheep Festival, usually a weekend in mid May and it’s a touch quirky. Billed as a “unique festival of lamb, individualism, creativity, sports and island heritage” , we can vouch for this - we have never been disappointed!
OCTOBER – Split for jazz lovers, “Split at Night Jazz Festival” usually 1-4 October, mostly open-air venues featuring jazz musicians from Split, other regions of Croatia and from abroad.
OCTOBER -Dubrovnik, usually around 7-20 October, The Good Food Festival
Quite extraordinary. The Saint Klara’s convent piazza becomes the central focus for tasting and demonstrations. There are special chefs’ dinners, workshops, wine and local produce tastings and a special Dubrovnik Table, the length of Stradun (street). Tastings usually involve a ticket purchase of around 10 euros. Add beautiful decorations and live music. Many restaurants offer special priced three course meals. In recent years October in Dubrovnik has enjoyed wonderfully warm and sunny weather.
NOVEMBER – Opatija, Chocolate Festival, usually second weekend in November, Friday-Monday.
This is rather fitting since Opatija was home to Croatia’s first “chocolate museum”, the festival has many chocolate makers with stalls in the Gervais Centre (creativity is off the scale – think chocolate high-heeled shoes , books and the rest) of renowned chocolatiers both from Croatia and European countries, there are demonstrations and special chocolate treats in restaurants and in spa treatments at various hotels.
