Croatia may not normally be at the top of the list for those looking to enjoy a European music festival - after all, it's not home to the well-known, established festivals.
However...perhaps 2010 may be the year to try out a festival in Croatia! The country is actually home to a number of summer events of this kind, with a few - such as the Garden Festival in the wonderful seaside village of Petrcane - that are actually very well-established. (The Garden Festival is now in its sixth year - and it's the festival which The Guardian newspaper in 2009 said, "helped us re-discover our disco mojo".)
Other festivals in the country are often mentioned in the travel and music press as top tips for festivals to attend this year - and for good reason. With the fun of a festival combined with the joys of a beautiful coastline and sun & sea, it's hardly surprising that more and more people attend these events each year (And don't forget that attending one of these events is also a perfect opportunity to travel elsewhere in Croatia too!)
Here we bring you a guide to music festivals held in the country this year.:
Festivals in Croatia
Mars Festival
Zagreb, 28th May 2010
T Mobile INmusic Festival
Zagreb, 21st - 23rd June 2010
getEXITed Festival
Novalja, island of Pag, 1st - 4th July 2010
Garden Festival
Petrcane, 2nd - 11th July 2010
Seasplash Festival
Pula, 22nd - 25th July 2010
Soundwave Festival Croatia
Petrcane, 23rd - 25th July 2010 SuncéBeat
Petrcane, 13th - 15th August 2010
Moon & Rocks Festival
Novalja, Pag, 22nd August 2010
Electric Elephant Festival
Petrcane, 27th - 29th August 2010
Outlook Festival
Pula, 2nd - 5th September 2010
Stop Making Sense Festival
Petrcane, 3rd - 5th September 2010
Petrcane
Other Festivals
Now, the Exit Festival isn't held in Croatia but in neighbouring Serbia - but it's a great event to go to and then combine with a holiday in Croatia!
Started in 2000 as a protest against the political system at the time, Exit has now grown considerably and is now one of Europe's top festivals with a whole host of big names appearing each year - last year's acts included The Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, Madness, Moby and The Prodigy.
Held in the impressive Petrovaradin Fortress at night-time (festival hours are 9pm to 6am each day!) over four days, many like Exit as a chance to experience a foreign festival in a cheaper setting.
This year's festival will be held on 8th to 11th July 2010, with acts yet to be announced. Tickets are available to buy on the Exit Festival website. I attended the 2009 Exit Festival - read up on my experiences, as well as hints and tips that may be useful to you! |
