Note: The region of Istria is very well known for its gastronomic delights. As you'll see below, a number of events are based on delicacies from the region - oils, truffles, wines chestnuts - and so on. Do also check for a listings at local tourist offices, as many of these types of events aren't all that well publicised online.

March
Oleum Olivarum is a two-day olive oil exhibition held in Buje in mid-March each year.

April
The Ethno Film Festival is held in Rovinj each year at the beginning of April, featuring a number of Croatian and international ethnographic and documentary films.

May
The 7th International Fishing and Fishing Equipment Festival - Crofish - is to be held in Umag in early May.

The Vinistra exhibition in Porec allows wine-lovers to come and sample local specialties. The exhibition is being held this year from 11th to 13th May, and also features olive oils and brandies - over 100 exhibitors will show wines, oils and spirits.

June
The 5th Rovinj Photodays should take place mid-June, with one main theme and additional photography exhibitions on the side.

The Days of Antiquity event takes place over three days in Pula in mid-June, with games, music and even a fair harking back to Roman times.

"Porec Summer" will take place starting from mid-June (normally to September) with a wide variety of events including music, dance and more. Check locally for up-to-date listings.

The Days of Jules Verne takes place in Pazin towards the end of June; the author set part of his novel Matthias Sandorf in places in Istria, so is celebrated with parts of the book (written in 1885) recreated in traditional costume.

July
The 18th PUF International Alternative Theatre Festival takes place in Pula from 1st to 5th July 2012.

The Valamar Jazz Festival should take place in Porec in early July, with the full line-up of artists to be announced in due course.

The Pula Film Festival is now in its 59th year this year, making it the oldest festival of its kind in Croatia. Held from 14th to 28th July 2012, Croatian and international films are shown at various locations in Pula, including in the stunning amphitheatre (the Arena) in the town.

The Seasplash Reggae Festival runs for four days in Pula from 19th to 22nd July 2012 with various international reggae bands performing. The festival will celebrate its 10th year this year.

The 23rd Croatia Open ATP Tennis tournament takes place 5th to 15th July 2012 (note - earlier in the month this year) in Umag. A clutch of top men's players, including some of the top Croatian players, take part. Last year's winner was Ukrainian player Alexandr Dolgopolov. A number of other fun events also normally accompany the tournament, making it quite a fun event!

Another film event in the region is the well-established Motovun Film Festival. Although held in a small (but very pretty) hilltop town in inland Istria, the event is considered one of the premier film festivals in Croatia. A variety of features from across the world are shown, from documentaries to full-length films; 2012's event will be held from 27th July to 1st August.

August
The Last Minute Open Jazz Festival, held in the small, pretty town of Bale, should take place in early August.

The Terra Magica Music Festival in Porec takes place at the beginning of August with a selection of concerts.

The Street Art Festival in Porec showcases all kinds of street performances, from dance to theatre, art to acrobatics, at the beginning of August each year.

September
The four-day Outlook Festival takes place in Punto Christo, Pula from 30th August to 2nd September 2012. Labelled as "Europe's largest bass culture and dubstep festival", the event is now in its fifth year. Read more about the festival in our Festivals in Croatia - Outlook Festival page.

Outlook are also launching a new event for this year - the Dimensions Festival, that will take place 6th to 9th September 2012 in the same venue (Fort Punto Christo near Pula). A smaller event, we're sure this one will be no less fun!

The historic festival Gioistra will take place in Porec in mid-September, now in its sixth year. There will be traditional costumes, music and games.

The Weekend Media Festival, a regional communications event, should take place at the end of September in Rovinj.

The Istra MTB Tartufi Tour normally brings together cyclists from around the world to take part in this official World Bicycle Federation race at the end of September each year. Other cycling events in the region can be found at the Istra Bike website.

October
Starting in September, though mainly taking place in October and the beginning of November, the "Day of Truffles" events are actually a succession of truffle-themed days taking place every weekend. Enjoy tasting various food and dishes flavoured with truffles. There's plenty of information on these events on the Zigante Tartufi Days website.

The 38th Marunada (7th - 30th October 2011) is a festival devoted to chestnuts - sampling chestnut delicacies & chestnut liquers, collecting chestnuts...and plenty of games and sports events too! The Marunada takes place in various venues, mainly near Lovran in Istria.

The second Pula Boat Fair is due to be held 17th to 20th October 2012, with a variety of boats and marine equipment expected to be on show.

Tinjan in Istria should be the venue of the 6th International Prosciutto Fair, with around 30 exhibitors from several European countries expected to show off their products in mid-October.

The 10th Handmade Fest should take place in Pula in mid-October.

Hum, the smallest town in the world (it's official!) normally hosts a Brandy Festival at the end of October, with tastings of brandies from Istria and other nearby regions.

November
The 18th Days of New Olive Oil will be held in Vodnjan in mid-November, with exhibitors from Istria, Dalmatia and neighbouring countries showing off their oils.

The documentary film festival Porec Dox will be held in the town at the end of the month, with a range of documentary film screenings.

December
The 18th Book Fair(y) in Istria is to be held in Pula at the beginning of December. In case you are wondering about the uunual 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".