Croatia’s islands host many events and festivals all year round, ranging from classical music events, traditional folk performances, art exhibitions, sports, pop concerts, educational workshops and events promoting the natural beauty of these islands. There’s bound to be something amongst the events on the Croatian islands that you will enjoy during your stay!
Some of these events can be quite small and locally organised, so it’s usually best to check with the tourist office in the town or the resort you’re staying in for a full list. Below are details of some of the best events taking place as well.
Events with confirmed dates are shown in bold. If you host or know of an event you’d like to see listed here, contact us!
Events on the Brijuni islands
Co-founded by famous Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija, Kazaliste Ulysses (Ulysses Theatre) on Veliki Brijuni island runs each summer with some wonderful plays – past seasons have seen Hamlet, King Lear and Othello performed. The Theatre opens and holds performances from mid-July to mid-August each year.
Events on Cres
The 4Islands mountain biking event takes place on Krk, Rab, Losinj and Cres from 14th to 18th April 2026.
The Osor Musical Evenings in Osor on Cres in July and August are a series of classical concerts performed by Croatian and international artists and are held in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Events on Losinj
Events on Losinj will include:
- The Losinj Carnival in January and February
- The Losinj Cuisine Festival from 30th April to 31st May 2026
- The Xterra Croatia multi-event triathlon from 8th to 10th May 2026
- The Dolphin Day cultural festival takes place on the 1st July.
- Mali Losinj will host the Losinj Jazz Festival – in its 22nd year at the end of July. There will be performances from both Croatian and foreign jazz artists in some great open-air locations.
- Explore the delicacy that is the mussel at the Veli Losinj Mussel Fest in August
- The Festival of Losinj Balconies should take place in mid-August. Enjoy musical performances in Mali and Veli Losinj with musicians performing high up on balconies!
- The Losinava Festival (5th – 19th September 2026) celebrates sailing and the island’s rich maritime history
- The Taste the Mediterranean Festival moved to the Kvarner region – to Losinj – last year; as Kvarner is designated as the European Region of Gastronomy for 2026, this year’s event will be a delight! It will be on from 9th to 13th September
- Look out for the Medisola Festival of Health & Vitality at the Hotel Bellevue in October
- Losinj’s Christmas Market runs from early December to early January with lots of fun happenings. Highlights include the “sinking of a Christmas tree” in the Adriatic (Santa may make an appearance), a kid-focused Christmas Eve morning and a New Year’s swim in the sea.
Events on Krk
On the island of Krk, events are numerous! They include:
- Krk’s Carnival includes assorted celebrations from mid-January to mid-February
- The Mitteleuropa Blasmusikfest Wind Orchestra Competition will be on from 24th to 26th April 2026 in Omisalj.
- Culinary celebrations such as the Eco-Ethno Festival in May
- Sensa Cheese Festival (13th – 15th May 2026) in Malinska celebrates local cheese and local customs – there is even a cheese “run”
- Crna Ovca (black sheep in English) in Baska is a three-day sport (sailing) and entertainment festival in May that also celebrates Baska lamb
- The medieval-themed Krk Fair (first held in 1524, meaning it celebrates its 502nd edition this year) takes place over three days at the beginning of August; it includes music and other fun and games
- The Baska Guitar Fest in August
- Vrbnik Wine Days is a celebrated wine event on Krk
- Homo ni jidra is a sailing regatta that takes place in Malinska from 28th August to 4th September 2026
- The Baska Outdoor Festival in mid-October offers the opportunity for a few days of energetic fun – hiking, cycling or running on over 90km of routes.
Events on Rab
Rab‘s calendar of events includes “Rab Musical Evenings” every July, and the famous Rabska Fjera, a medieval-style summer festival that also takes place in July.
The town of Lopar on the island, which is home to a number of sandy beaches, hosts a Festival of Sand Sculptures every June/July – this year, it is on from 30th June to 3rd July 2026.
Events on Pag
Pag‘s events include the International Festival of Lace (an item for which the island is very well known) in June, and the Pag Art Festival in August.
Pag’s very unusual landscape is celebrated with the Life on Mars race on 28th March 2026. There are three different trail lengths to choose from. Do also check out listings on the Pag Outdoor website for other hiking/activity events.
However, Pag is known as being something of a party island! Party central is Zrce Beach (near Novalja), featuring Club Papaya and Club Aquarius. These clubs host top DJs (names that have appeared at these clubs in the past include Fatboy Slim, Sven Vath and Benny Benassi), mini dance festivals and the incredibly popular Hideout Festival (30th June to 3rd July 2026) and Sonus Festival (16th to 20th August 2026).
There are plenty more of the many Festivals in Croatia taking place in Zrce Beach too – check out our guide.
Events on Premuda
Little Premuda island – along with the neighbouring small islands of Silba and Olib – will host the Škojada – 3 Islands, 3 Challenges on 5th September 2026. A series of traditional challenges will take place between residents of these three islands to help foster community and maintain local connections. But the event will also celebrate island life with a gastro offering, live music and general fun.
Events on Dugi Otok
The highly traditional Sea and Salt Festival will take place on 26th June 2026.
The village of Sali on the island hosts the “Saljske užance” festival on the first weekend of August every year – there’s food and drink, sports competitions, music and even donkey races!
There’s also the Dugi Otok Trail on 14th March 2026.
Events on Murter
Events on Murter include a selection of concerts and parties!
Events on Hvar
Hvar normally has a wonderful line-up of events during the year, which include:
- the Hvar Theatre Days in May
- The Croatian Islands UltraSwim 33.3 event will see competitors swim off the glorious coast of Hvar from Stari Grad to Hvar Town from 15th to 18th May 2026
- The wonderfully named Tour De Hvar (1st – 3rd May 2026) offers four trails for participants, with all starting in Stari Grad and the longer routes ending in Hvar Town
- the Festival of St Prosper (its patron saint) in Hvar Town on 10th May, which will see a number of events including a gastronomic feast
- The Hvar Half Marathon takes place at the end of May
- The Jelsa Children’s Festival (early June) features singing, dance, film, craft workshops and more
- The Vrboska Film Festival (1st to 4th June 2026) focuses on short and animated films
- the Hvar Summer Festival from June to October
- the Lavender Festival in late June/early July
- Fisherman’s Night in Milna in August
- the dormouse festival – Puhijada – in Stari Grad in August
- the long-established Festa Vina (the Wine Festival) in Jelsa in August
- Carpe Diem on Hvar will also host a number of lively club nights and international DJs this summer
- The Sprint & 100m Spartan World Championships will be held on Hvar 8th to 11th October 2026
- A new festival – Hvarmony, all about the “art of living well” – will be held on the island from 15th to 18th October 2026
You can also find more details of events on the island on the Plan Hvar website.
Events on Brac
The island of Brac will see the Puteus Triathlon in Pucisca in June; the Bol Summer Festival (June to October); the visually stunning street art/graffiti event Graffiti na Gradele (July); the Brac Film Festival (August); the International Summer Carnival (September, in various locations) and the wonderful Olive Picking World Championships (October) in Postira.
Events on Vis
Vis‘s events include the Vis Summer Festival, held each July and August, with numerous traditional and more modern dance and music events.
Fort George, just above Vis Town, hosts an exciting lineup of events each summer.
Events on Bisevo
A unique event on one of Croatia’s smallest islands! Check to see if the Bisevo Trail challenge returns this April. Last year, just 400 permitted participants raced on three different trails, from 9km to 20km in length.
Events on Korcula
Korcula‘s events include
- a celebration of the times of Marco Polo (who was born on Korcula) at the end of May, when the streets of Korcula Town are decorated to look like a 13th-century town
- the Korkya Baroque Festival in September (1st to 18th September 2026)
- Do also look out for performances of the Moreska Sword Dance (picture below), which recreates a story of the battle between the Red King and the Black King
- The Croatia Multisport Rat Race (16th – 21st April and 23rd – 28th April 2026) is a one-way race made up of hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking and biking from Korcula to Dubrovnik
Events on Mljet
Mljet holds a flower fair each Easter in Babino Polje. There is also a klapa concert during May, with various klapa groups from around Dalmatia performing (Klapa is a traditional Dalmatian form of group acapella singing); the Mljet Summer Festival each August; and the Mljet Half-Ironman Triathlon in October.
Events on the Elafiti Islands
The Elafiti Slalom is a sailing regatta that will be held 24th to 26th April 2026.
Ponta Lopud is a new film festival (25th – 28th June 2026) with screenings and masterclasses. Lopud also hosts the Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival (27th – 29th August 2026) and the Ponta Lopud Book Bridge Festival (17th – 19th September 2026).
The Sipan Summer Film School is a small international film event that takes place in Sipanska Luka on the island of Sipan every August.