Cultural Events in Croatian Cities
Summer Music Festivals in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Bol, Trogir and Split
Enjoy opera shows, ballet dancing, traditional open air concerts and theatre performances in the capital's churches and public squares along the Dalmatian coast.
Since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, visitors have flocked to Croatia, exploring its historic cities and spectacular coastline. Croatia is wonderful country in which to enjoy the summer on the beach, but as an added attraction, many of Croatia’s cities host traditional summer festivals. Tourists in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Bol, Trogir and Split can enjoy live music in open squares and cultural events as part of their holiday.
Cultural Events in Croatian Cities - Zagreb Summer Festival
The Zagreb Summer Festival in July and August sees the Croatian capital city overrun with music concerts and theatre performances. It’s not necessarily the quality of the entertainment that is astounding – more the venues that the shows are held in. Many of them take place in the open air, the public squares of the Upper Town turned into grand stages. Many of Zagreb’s churches and religious buildings, such as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Jesuit Church of St Catherine, also become temporary concert venues.
Other festivals and cultural events held in Zagreb include the Zagreb Film Festival in October, the International Folklore Festival in July and Queer Zagreb FM Festival in April.
Cultural Events in Croatian Cities - Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Regarded as being the biggest and most important of its type, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival in Southern Dalmatia has been running since 1950. It all kicks off in July with a fireworks-filled opening ceremony in Luza Square, and continues for five weeks of concerts, dance shows and theatre performances. Ending in August, the festival usually attracts big name international artists, whether performing Shakespeare plays and Greek tragedies or rock concerts in the open air.
Cultural Events in Croatian Cities - Summer Cultural Festival in Bol, Brac Island
Bol on Brac island is best known for its windsurfing, but in July and August, it hosts a more intimate summer festival. The Summer Cultural Festival may not attract the same big international names as its counterparts in Zagreb or Dubrovnik, but that’s part of the appeal – it has a far more local feel to it.
Cultural Events in Croatian Cities - Trogir Summer Music Festival
Trogir, on the Central Dalmatian coast, also holds a summer festival, and the emphasis here is firmly on the music rather than the dance or theatre. Again, it is held in the open air, in churches and squares across the city. A list of the concerts on offer in July and August can be obtained from the Trogir tourist office.
Cultural Events in Croatian Cities - Split Summer Festival
Split is Croatia’s second largest city, and is home to the UNESCO World-Heritage Listed Diocletian’s Palace. Here the Summer Festival (again in July and August) has a focus on the higher arts, such as opera and ballet. The Split Jazz Festival also takes place at the same time, and the two events series tend to merge into one. Other cultural events in Split include the Carnival in February and the four day Festival of Popular Music in June.
