Top 27 Festivals In Zagreb, Croatia

1. INmusic Festival

Every year in late June, artists, and lovers of contemporary music congregate at the Isle of Youth for the biggest open-air festival in Zagreb called INmusic Festival. The tradition started in 2006 and it has since gained popularity to become an international affair that attracts contemporary acts from all over the world. This three-day affair features a variety of genres including electronica, heavy metal, and indie rock, so if you are a fan, this is a festival you cannot afford to miss.

InMusic Festival

Address: Lake Jarun, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: InMusic Festival

Takes place: June

2. Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is a Croatian event held in October that gives lovers of great food a unique opportunity to enjoy cuisines from top chefs at a discounted price. During the event, different dishes from over 50 restaurants across the country are usually discounted substantially, sometimes up to 50 percent of regular prices hence allowing people to indulge their taste buds in foods of their choice. With such a deal, you can enjoy a three-course meal and a complimentary glass of wine for as little as USD 15.

Restaurant Week

Address: Various locations

Takes place: October

3. International Caricature Exhibition

The International Caricature Exhibition is an event held in Zagreb for cartoonists to showcase their talent and interact with colleagues and enthusiasts. The event is usually open to everyone irrespective of age, nationality, gender, or profession so if you love drawing or even admiring cartoons, this event should be top of your to-do list on your next holiday. Here you will learn many things about cartoons considering every year there is always a different theme.

International Caricature Exhibition

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Takes place: Usually held in March

4. Ljeto na Strosu

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Ljeto na Strosu is a series of cultural events that feature live concerts, film screening, dog competitions, and art workshops among other fun activities. The event is usually held at the picturesque Strossmayer Promenade, a preferred spot for romantic walks among couples. Music takes the center stage of this event and you should prepare to be entertained with the best of jazz, nostalgic music, Latin tunes, and other great music that enriches this romantic spot. Around the venue, there are several al-fresco bars that make Strossmayer Promenade a great place to hang out during summer.

Ljeto na Strosu

Address: Strossmayer Promenade, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Ljeto na Strosu

Takes place: June to September

5. Oldtimer Rally

There are no better words to emphasize the love men have for good cars. Vintage cars happen to be some of the most valued cars in the world; cars that every man dreams of including to his collection. To get a better idea of vintage cars, check out the Oldtimer Rally in Zagreb. The Oldtimer Rally is an annual event that has been going on for over three decades to the point that it has become a tradition whereby each year around June huge crowds of bikers and fans of vintage cars start pouring in the city in search of this thrill.

Oldtimer Rally

Address: Streets of Zagreb

Website: Oldtimer Rally

Takes place: September

6. Dance Week Festival

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Dance is one of the best ways to unwind and there is no better place to do it in Zagreb than at the Dance Week Festival. The city has dedicated an entire week for lovers of contemporary dance, mime, and movement arts to interact and have a great time with world-renowned choreographers. Some of the choreographers who have graced the event in previous years include German’s Susanne Linke, Krisztina de Châtel, and Trisha Brown, the American choreographer who is famous for her collaborations with artists and extensive collections of drawings. The festival promotes local and international collaborations of artists and dancers thereby nurturing the new generations of choreographers and artists.

Dance Week Festival

Address: Zagreb Dance Centre

Website: Dance Week Festival

Takes place: June

7. ZagrebDox

Documentaries just like movies take a lot of time, resources, and effort to shoot and produce. However, with the right mentorship, the production of documentary films could be less tasking and much more fun. It is in this regard that the ZagrebDox festival was invented over a decade ago to provide guests with an insight into some of the best documentaries in Croatia and beyond. ZagrebDox is mostly a competitive platform where you can present your work for analysis and review by production experts. The festival has played a huge role in promoting the production of documentary films. It is also where local and international producers can interact and share ideas through the platform.

ZagrebDox

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Website: ZagrebDox

Takes place: June

Price: 7 USD for 6 screenings

8. Festival of Tolerance

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Tolerance is an important virtue in any relationship, be it romantic, family, friends or even between strangers. In Zagreb, this virtue is highly valued to the point where every year a Festival of Tolerance is held to foster critical thinking, manage conflicts, and eventually create a more tolerant society. At, the Festival of Tolerance you can learn ways of addressing the common problems ailing the society such as racism, hate speech, discrimination, and xenophobia. The festival is an important step towards the healing of Croatia which suffered persecution and genocide of Jews and Serbs during the World Wars.

Festival of Tolerance

Address: Various locations

Website: Festival of Tolerance

Takes place: Usually held in April

9. Floraart

If you love flowers, Floraart International Exhibition is an event you cannot afford to miss. The event is intended to unveil the beauty of flowers and it is usually held every year around May in Croatia’s capital. Floraart continues to receive overwhelming support from locals as well as foreigners and that’s why over the years, the festival attracts an increasing number of exhibitors and visitors coming to display or seek various horticultural products. The festival features several promotions, thematic lectures, and exhibitor competitions whereby gardeners from different parts of the world compete for the title of the most beautiful home gardens.

Floraart

Address: Park Bundek and various other locations

Website: Floraart

Takes place: Usually held in May

10. C’est is d’Best

Ironically C’est is d’Best is actually the only event in Croatia where you can experience the best of Zagreb streets in terms of music, art, and live performances. C’est is d’Best is a fun-filled event whereby musicals, rope walkers, dancers, tumblers and other forms of entertainers flock the streets of Zagreb to display their skills and talent to hundreds of people who congregate here to catch the action. Ideally, during C’est is d’Best, the city is normally transformed into a big stage featuring a wide array of activities for your adrenaline fix. This is an event well-suited for families and lovers of street fun.

C’est is d’Best

Address: Zagrebs streets and squares

Website: C’est is d’Best

Takes place: August

11. Animafest

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Animated films have an extensive fan base, which includes kids as well as adults. In Croatia, animations are highly valued and this is evident in the global festival of animated films, Animafest, which is held every year in Zagreb to promote the artistic life of the city. The festival involves competitions to unveil the most creative filmmakers, exhibitions, and pitching forums where you can present your ideas to potential investors. At Animafest, you are guaranteed of meeting renowned filmmakers, upcoming talent, and an audience that appreciates the creativity in animated films. Through this networking, Animafest links people of different generations in a beautiful ceremony to celebrate the development of animation art.

Animafest

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Animafest

Takes place: June

12. Pop Up Summer Garden

Summer in Zagreb is a time to bond and have fun with family and one of the best places to do that is at the Popup Summer Garden festival. The Popup Summer Garden is one of the most anticipated events in the country considering the amazing music, creative arts, and great food that comes along. Entertainment at the event takes many forms; here, you should expect to dance your problems away with the best of DJ mixes and acoustic bands playing different genres.

Pop Up Summer Garden

Address: Dubravkin put, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Pop Up Summer Garden

Takes place: Usually held in June

13. More Knjiga

July in Zagreb usually means one thing More Knijga or more knowledge. More Knijga is an event whereby people congregate at Zrinjevac Park to relax, interact, and more importantly browse through the sea of books at an open-air library. The library features over 500 copies of books, novels, and other interesting reading material in English and Croatian. Reading on the site is much more fun but you can carry any piece that may interest you at a special discount. Besides the knowledge gained from reading, More Knijga allows visitors to enjoy a great summer vacation with plenty of sunbathing, great foods, and cocktails with beautiful names derived from the books.

More Knjiga

Address: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: More Knjiga

Takes place: Usually held in July

14. Dvorista

Although July in Zagreb is a famous beach season, it is equally rewarding to take a break from the norm and enjoy the typical Croatian lifestyle courtesy of the Dvorista festival. Dvorista or else The Courtyards is a 10-day affair that gives guests an opportunity to enjoy the magic and beautiful views of the array of palaces in the upper town. Besides the charm of the city, Dvorista is also a great chance to interact with the locals and their culture. The climax of the event is usually in the evenings at the courtyard congregations where guests are entertained with the best of urban music, plenty of delicacies, and refreshing drinks.

Dvorista

Address: Gornji grad / Upper Town 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Dvorista

Takes place: July

15. International Folklore Festival

For over 16 years, the International Folklore Festival has been at the forefront of preserving, promoting, and presenting the rich culture of Croatia with folk dance, music, cultural workshops, and orchestra performances. Every year, guests both local and foreign meet in Zagreb to enjoy and appreciate folklores that have shaped a nation of diverse cultures and traditions. International Folklore Festival also serves as an educational platform whereby people from multicultural backgrounds interact and share unique experiences in games and workshops. That way, you get to learn the traditions and culture of other communities.

International Folklore Festival

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Takes place: July to August

16. Zagreb Film Festival

Zagreb Film Festival (ZFF) is a platform for young and upcoming producers who are trying to make it in the film industry. The film industry is not easy and to make it, you will need guidance, networks, contacts, and a platform to exhibit your work to the world. Finding all these resources could be a daunting task especially for upcoming talents. Luckily, we have ZFF, which allows young filmmakers to showcase their work and compete with other ambitious producers in three categories namely short films, documentaries, and feature movies. The festival also features non-competitive programs where kids can enjoy general audience films and debuts by renowned filmmakers.

Zagreb Film Festival

Address: 35A Vukovara Street, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Zagreb Film Festival

Takes place: November

Price: 5 USD for main event

17. International Puppet Festival

Puppets are such a big deal in Zagreb and that’s why every year for the last half a century, the city holds the International Puppet Festival in September to promote local and international marionette theatre artists. International Puppet Festival attracts acts from many countries including Croatia, Germany, Russia, Spain, and Switzerland. Watching marionette performances is fun and quite relaxing and this is what makes the International Puppet Festival ideal for anyone looking to relax and get away from the daily monotony. Besides the performances, International Puppet Festival also features promotions, exhibitions, films, seminars, and workshops to aid aspiring artists in making puppets and animations.

International Puppet Festival

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Takes place: Usually held in September

18. Zagreb Pride

For many years, gender equality has been a huge topic and the center of discussion in many international debates. Croatia is a country in the forefront of fighting social injustices and prejudices. In fact, every year the country holds Zagreb Pride, an anti-fascist event aimed at achieving a society free from any form of gender oppression through community empowerment, education, and advocacy. So if you would like to take part in this course, Zagreb Pride is an event you cannot afford to miss.

Zagreb Pride

Address: Zagreb streets

Website: Zagreb Pride

Takes place: Usually held in June

19. Veceri na Gricu

The English translation of Veceri na Gricu is “Evenings in Grič” which is a festival in Zagreb aimed at entertaining locals as well as visitors with the best of classics, jazz, and popular music performed by soloists and ensembles. The event can take place in different venues, some of which are open-air where the romantic atmosphere blends perfectly with the powerful performances by virtuosos, creating a memorable experience. Tickets are relatively cheap and with just 100 Kn (15 USD) you can enjoy the electrifying performances at Veceri na Gricu.

Veceri na Gricu

Address: Zagreb

Website: Veceri na Gricu

Takes place: July

Price: 15 USD

20. ZeGeVege Festival

Veganism has many followers in Croatia and every year in September thousands of vegans from different parts of the continent gather in Zagreb to enjoy a variety of food free from any form of animal exploitation and cruelty in the famous festival dubbed ZeGeVege. The event is usually graced by over a hundred exhibitors of healthy foods and other products derived from other sources besides animals. There are many things you can do at this vegan-mania event. For instance, you can partake in the cooking workshops, food tasting, and vegan takeaways that you can enjoy later at home. At the end of ZeGeVege Festival, you can have fun with more food, drinks, and entertainment at the after-party often held in the nearby clubs.

ZeGeVege

Address: Trg bana Jelacica, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: ZeGeVege

Takes place: September

21. Zagreb International Chamber Music Festival [Last event in 2019]

Organizing a chamber music event like Zagreb International Chamber Music Festival is not easy. Many people perceive chamber music as old-fashioned because it is not as popular as other genres of music. Also, many concert cycles tend to shy away from the chamber music festival because of fear of low turnouts and losing on investments. Luckily, since the launch of the Zagreb International Chamber Music Festival, it continues to receive overwhelming support from locals and foreigners alike. Today, the festival has been integrated into the country’s culture and every year, huge audiences gather at the Croatian Music Institute hall to be entertained by the ever-growing collection of all-star soloists and violinists.

Zagreb International Chamber Music Festival

Address: Gundulićeva 6 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Zagreb International Chamber Music Festival

Takes place: October

22. Pssst! Silent Film Festival

Ever wondered about the number of silent films produced today? Well, silent films are not common in many areas but Zagreb, where the art lives on, is an exception. The city holds a Pssst! Silent Film Festival yearly in November to give filmmakers an opportunity to show their prowess and compete with each other for the Brcko Grand Prize. At Pssst! Silent Film Festival, you are guaranteed quality family time watching some of the best movies accompanied by live music and state-of-the-art sound support. Although the films lack original soundtracks, the experience is even better with the cool rock, classics, jazz and electronic tracks playing in the background.

Pssst! Silent Film Festival

Address: Trešnjevka Cultural Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Pssst! Silent Film Festival

Takes place: November

23. Human Rights Film Festival

The Human Rights Film Festival (HRFF) is one of the most anticipated events in Zagreb and beyond. The HRFF offers the latest author and engagement films whose theme is to promote tolerance, freedom of expression, and multiculturalism, among other human rights. Admissions to the event screenings are usually free so you do not have to worry about such expenses. Everyone wishes for a world where every human right is respected and an event such as the HRFF is one way to that end. So what are you waiting for? Come to HRFF and let’s join hands in fighting social injustices and other prejudices affecting the world of today.

Human Rights Film Festival

Address: Preradovićeva 18 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Human Rights Film Festival

Takes place: December

24. RujanFest [Last event in 2019]

The concerts, amusement parks, and comedians at RujanFest make Bundek the ultimate family destination in Zagreb. Fun at RujanFest is guaranteed; the event features a variety of music performances from famous singers, rappers, record producers, and talented songwriters who are known for beautiful melodies and electrifying performances. In addition to that, there are DJ sessions that will keep you on your toes. Indeed, these activities are grueling and require constant rejuvenation with snacks, food, and drinks. To that end, the organizers have set aside a large gastro zone featuring a wide range of Croatian delicacies that are available to customers for a relatively small fee.

RujanFest

Address: Bundek, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Website: RujanFest

Takes place: September

25. Zagreb Harp Festival

The harp dates back to 3000 BC which makes it one of the first instruments to be discovered by men. Today, this legacy still lives on in many places such as Zagreb, with its Zagreb Harp Festival. This harp festival features competitions for young harpists and electrifying performances by some of the best soloists and singers in the world. In the past editions, the event has been graced by big names such as Andrew Lawrence, Anneleen Lenaerts, and Şirin Pancaroğlu to name but a few. Clearly, this is a chance of a lifetime to discover what harp music is all about and the fascinating culture surrounding the amazing instrument.

Zagreb Harp Festival

Address: Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Zagreb Harp Festival

Takes place: November to December

26. Zagreb Boat and Sports Show

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Zagreb Boat and Sports Show is a globally acclaimed expo that aims to bring together manufacturers, stakeholders, and enthusiasts of boating and sporting products. This event presents you with a unique opportunity to meet some of the best manufactures of speedboats, scooters, yachts, water exploration gears, and many other accessories. The whole affair takes place in February for 5 days within which over 330 exhibitors from all over the world and 27,000 visitors congregate in Zagreb to learn and equip themselves with the best water exploration technologies.

Zagreb Boat and Sports Show

Address: Zagreb Fair Grounds, Zagreb

Takes place: February

27. Winelover's Street [Event has passed]

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Great wine is not hard to find in Croatia given its large vineyards, many wineries and street events that promote the product. An example of such events is Winelover’s Street festival. During the event, wine lovers from different parts of the world gather in Zagreb to indulge their taste buds in the wide arrays of wines in Croatia. An important point to note while at Winelover’s Street is that the entrance is free but a small fee may apply for wine tasting. Wine tasting is a great way to spend your evening, especially for couples, and this is why Winelover’s Street is the perfect spot for your romantic getaway.

Winelover's Street Festival

Address: Jurišićeva 1/1 Zagreb, Croatia

Takes place: June

Zagreb, the land of festivities

A lot can be emulated from Zagreb’s tradition of hosting different events every now and then. These celebrations have been pivotal in preserving the country’s rich traditions, culture, and heritage for future generations. This success depends on support from not only the locals but also foreigners. In this light, you are welcome to show your support at any of the top festivals in Zagreb, Croatia.