The region of Istria is very well known for its gastronomic delights. As you’ll see below, a number of the annual events in Istria are based on delicacies from the region – oils, truffles, wines, chestnuts and so on. Do also check for events listings at local tourist offices; many of these types of events aren’t all that well publicised online.
Confirmed dates of events are shown in the list below in bold. If you have or know of an event you’d like to see listed here, contact us!
Events in January 2026
Christmas Advent events and fairs will continue in the early part of January, so you can still enjoy some festive cheer at the start of the year.
Events in February 2026
The parade of the Pula Carnival is in February (carnival month!), although there are also related events before and after this weekend.
The Lovran Carnival Parade will be held on 8th February 2026, although carnival celebrations in the town begin on 17th January 2026.
Events in March 2026
The Days of Asparagus start in mid-March (running through to mid-May each year); the event will see a number of participating restaurants in the region showcase special dishes featuring…asparagus!
The Full Moon Regatta from sail from Pula to Mali Losinj from 25th to 30th March 2026.
Events in April 2026
100 Miles of Istria (9th to 12th April 2026) actually contains several events over the weekend – the 100-mile ‘Ultratrail’ endurance race; the 110km ‘Ultratrail’; and more ‘manageable’ 65km and 42km trails. Anyone can enter any of the races – if you’re brave enough! Over 1,000 competitors are expected.
The UCI Grand Fondo cycling marathon – starting and ending in Umag – will be held on 11th April 2026.
As mentioned above, the love of asparagus continues this month – be sure to swing by Lovran on 11th April 2026 to enjoy a fritaja (similar to an omelette) made in a giant pan with 1000 eggs and 30kg of asparagus and bacon!
The Umag Run will take place on 3rd October 2026. The event consists of three different races – a half marathon, a 10.5km race and a fun run the latter of which is open to all ages! Register on the website to participate.
The Weekend Food Festival will be held in Rovinj from 24th to 26th April 2026. World-famous chefs and gastronomy experts will gather to provide lectures, panels, masterclasses, show cooking and more. It’s a great opportunity to sample some high-quality cooking!
Events in May 2026
The Vinistra Festival (8th – 10th May 2026) in Porec allows wine lovers to come and sample local specialities. The exhibition also always features olive oils and brandies; over 100 exhibitors show wines, oils and spirits. It is one of the largest wine events in Croatia!
Adventure Race Croatia (September 2027) will consist of teams of two and four competing over various stages (hiking/running, swimming, mountain biking and kayaking) in Istria.
The Istria Wine & Walk in mid-May starts and ends in Buje in the northern part of the peninsula. You are led on a guided trail that winds through vineyards and the beautiful countryside of this part of Croatia, stopping frequently to sample wine from local producers. This event is ticketed and very popular – it sells out almost as soon as tickets go on sale, so be quick!
The Days of Antiquity event takes place in Pula in May each year, with games, music and even a fair harking back to Roman times.
The Rovinj Photodays photography festival takes place in mid-May each year. There is a main exhibition featuring works submitted to the international photography competition, as well as other exhibitions, lectures, workshops and presentations. The event always has one main theme and then additional photography displays on the side.
Wine Day (“Open Wine Cellars Day”) allows people to tour the wine producers of Istria, conducting tastings (and hopefully purchasing wine too, if something takes your fancy!). The event normally takes place on the last Sunday of May. Check local tourist offices for listings of participating wineries.
Events in June 2026
The intimate electro-music event Lighthouse Festival returns to Porec, taking place from 3rd to 7th June 2026.
The wonderful fruit that is the cherry will be celebrated in Lovran throughout June 2026, with the top event the Cherry Fest on 13th June 2026. Come to Lovran to enjoy a mouthwatering portion of cherry strudel!
“Porec Summer” will take place starting from mid-June, normally through to September. This includes a wide variety of events, including music, dance and more. Check locally for up-to-date listings.
The 21st edition of the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival takes place from 8th to 15th June 2026, bringing together dancers and fans of Latin music in the beautiful setting of Rovinj. Daily workshops will teach salsa from beginner right through to advanced levels, with a range of styles of salsa and dance techniques – all taught by some of the top dance instructors in the world! In the evenings, dance events will be held in different locations that are open for everyone to participate in. Famous Latin bands, DJs and salsa artists will also perform. A great dance event in a beautiful location on Croatia’s coast!
Lenny Kravitz will perform in the Arena in Pula on 14th June 2026.
And another global superstar, Ricky Martin, will also perform at the Pula Arena on 19th June 2026.
The wonderful sounding Gelato Park – World of Ice Cream Wonders will hopefully return to Porec on at the end of June for plenty of cold treats and fun for all the family!
The Days of Jules Verne takes place in Pazin towards the end of June; the author set part of his novel Matthias Sandorf in locations in Istria, so he is celebrated with parts of the book (written in 1885) recreated in traditional costume.
Events in July 2026
The Pula Film Festival will be in its 73rd year in 2026, making it the oldest festival of its kind in Croatia. Held this year from 9th to 16th July 2026, Croatian and international films are shown at various locations in Pula, including in the stunning amphitheatre (the Arena) in the town.
The excellent Jazz is Back BP Festival should return to the small town of Groznjan in inland Istria in mid-July. There are daily concerts from Croatian and international jazz artists. Free entry.
The 36th edition of the Croatia Open ATP tennis tournament will take place 10th – 19th July 2026 in Umag. A selection of top men’s players, including some of the best Croatian players, take part, as do some up-and-coming players. (The 2021 champion was a certain Mr Carlos Alcaraz, winning his first-ever title at the tender age of 18. He returned the following year but lost in the final to Jannik Sinner!) Other fun goings-on also normally accompany the event (live music, parties and more!), making it quite an eventful tennis tournament to attend. The main stadium there is named after Croatian tennis legend Goran Ivanisevic.
Events in August 2026
Sting will perform in the Arena in Pula on 1st August 2026.
Singer Lorde – who is in fact of Croatian descent – will also perform at the Pula Arena on 8th August 2026.
The Last Minute Open Jazz Festival is held in the small but exceedingly pretty town of Bale in early August each year.
The second Sunday in August sees Rovinj host Grisia – an open-air art show that was first held in 1967.
Slatka Istra / Sweet Istria – presenting traditional Istrian cakes – takes place in the village of Vizinada (inland from Novigrad) in mid-August.
The historic Trka na Prstenac takes place in the small town of Barban in mid/end-August each year. Sixteen competitors in traditional costume compete on horseback over a specially marked track to race (in 12 seconds!) towards an iron ring (a prstenac) that they must hit with a spear. 2025 saw the 50th modern edition take place; however, this event was first recorded as taking place in 1696.
Events in September 2026
St Euphemia’s Day (Rovinj’s patron saint) is celebrated each year on 16th September. There’s usually a number of events taking place in the run-up too. Check locally to see what’s on!
Tuna will be celebrated during the Tunalicious festival in Porec (mid-September). As well as a street food mini-event with stalls selling tuna dishes and live music, local restaurants will be offering tuna specialities during this week.
The historic festival Giostra (pictured below) takes place in Porec in mid-September. There will be traditional costumes, music and games.
The stunning Visualia Festival of Light will take place in Pula in mid-September.
The Nova Eroica cycling tour – on vintage bicycles on gravel trails through the stunning Istrian countryside – should take place in mid-September.
The Weekend Media Festival, a regional communications event, takes place in Rovinj 24th to 27st September 2026.
The FAKS International Folklore & Traditional Dance Festival will be held in Rovinj at the end of this month.
Synergy The Retreat Show will take place in Porec from 29th September to 2nd October 2026.
Events in October 2026
The Istra 300 is a 300km bike ride on closed road routes in and around Porec that will take place on 3rd October 2026.
The Umag Run will also take place on 3rd October 2026. The event consists of three different races – a half marathon, a 10.5km race and a fun run, the latter of which is open to all ages! Register on the website to participate.
Truffle Days is one of the best-loved gastronomic events in Croatia! The festival is actually a succession of truffle-themed days taking place every weekend over five weekends from early October into November. Enjoy tasting various foods and dishes flavoured with this Istrian speciality; the highlight is surely taking part in a truffle hunt yourself!
Teran Wine & Walk (early October) in and around Motovun covers a distance of 11.7km and is as it sounds – explore this beautiful part of inland Istria whilst also visiting local wineries on a special guided walk.
Marunada is a festival devoted to chestnuts in October – sampling chestnut delicacies & chestnut liqueurs, collecting chestnuts…and plenty of games and sports events too! Marunada takes place in various venues, mainly near Lovran in Istria. This year, it starts on the weekend of 9th – 10th October 2026.
The Ginistra Festival – obviously, all about gin – will be on in Rovinj in the middle of this month.
Tinjan in Istria is the venue of the International Prsut (Prosciutto) Fair, with around 40 exhibitors from several European countries expected to show off their products. It is usually held in mid-October.
The Plava Laguna Ironman Triathlon will take place in Porec on 18th October 2026.
Hum, the smallest town in the world (it’s official!) normally hosts a Brandy Festival at the end of October. The festival has tastings of brandies from Istria and other nearby regions.
Events in November 2026
The Days of New Olive Oil will be held in Vodnjan in mid-November. Exhibitors from Istria, Dalmatia and neighbouring countries will be showcasing their oils.
The 16th Porecdox Documentary Film Festival will be held in Porec from in November.
The Light Festival will be held in Lovran on in mid-November, with the main square taken over in a large-scale audio-visual display.
Porec celebrates the Feast of St Maurus, its patron saint, on 21st November each year.
CroFish is an international fishing fair (the only such event held in Croatia) that will on in Porec from in late November.
Events in December 2026
The Book Fair(y) in Istria will be held in Pula in late November/early December. In case you are wondering about the unusual title; the actual title in Croatian is “San(j)am knjige u Istri” which is a slight play on words. “Sajam” means Fair whilst “sanjam” means dreaming, so “Fair of books in Istria” cleverly turns into “Dreaming of books in Istria”.
Unsurprisingly, like much of Croatia, towns across Istria will mark Christmas for most of this month with special festive events. Most common will be Christmas or Advent fairs taking place in several towns (see locally for details – or just look to see if there’s a fair taking place!). These include music, singing, kids’ events and food (of course!), with New Year’s Eve celebrations (a concert and fireworks) also likely. Check out details for what’s on in Pula at Christmas on the Pula Tourist Office website, for example, or see what’s happening in Porec at Advent Porec.
Synergy The Retreat Show will take place in Porec from 29th September to 2nd October 2026.
Future Events in Istria
Adventure Race Croatia (September 2027) will consist of teams of two and four competing over various stages (hiking/running, swimming, mountain biking and kayaking) in Istria.