Kestenijada 2026 - Visit Croatia

October is chestnut fun in many places around the world – not least in Croatia and the region near Zagreb! The 28th edition of Kestenijada – the Chestnut Festival in Sveti Ivan Zelina – takes place this Sunday, 18th October 2026.

All about this year’s Kestenijada

In actual fact, Kestenijada will take place on Kladeščica, the peak of Zelina Mountain, from 10am to 5pm. At a height of 460 metres, this location offers wonderful nature and stunning views all around. It’s a great setting for an atmospheric Autumn festival that will delight all ages. This Sunday will see lots of chestnut delicacies and, of course, roasted chestnuts themselves (if you’ve never tried these, you must), plus other hearty grub, excellent craft beer and lots of local wine, Zelinska Kraljevina.

Hearty food, good music…and learning

This year’s culinary selection will be more diverse than ever, organised by Amanita Mushroom Association, Sveti Ivan Zelina Moto and Off-Road Club, Zelina Sport Fishing Society, and the Kladeščica Mountain Lodge. Srndać Hunting Society will again host a hunter’s stew (lovački kotlić) cooking competition, with all the necessary ingredients and firewood being provided. Visitors to Kestenijada will be able to sample the different stews, once the jury has announced the winners!

The tambura ensemble Memento will provide musical fun on the day, offering the perfect background to all this lively good cheer. Be sure to also check out the autumn fair at the Kestenijada, with local producers, associations and farms showcasing their products.

The Hunting Society will also give a talk on local wildlife, so attendees can learn about the fauna in this part of Croatia. Additionally, a mushroom exhibition will take place, so you can learn more about the forest ecosystem.

Fun for kids at Kestenijada

Younger visitors will also have plenty to do at this year’s Kestenijada, with a special children’s program running from 11am to 3pm. The ample outdoor playtime opportunity will include games such as XXL Tic-Tac-Toe, Ring Toss, Tug-of-War and sack races – activities that aren’t just playing and competing, but building some skills too! Have your kids head to Knights Camp where they will be able to try archery and fencing, and will even be able to try on knights’ armour.

If more leisurely pursuits are your kids’ kind of thing, there will also be autumn-themed arts and crafts workshops.

Getting to Kestenijada

You can reach Kladeščica, the venue for Kestenijada, in multiple ways – foot, bike or by car.

If getting there on foot sounds challenging, rest assured – it’s not! Trail 67 winds through a chestnut and beech forest, and you can get assistance from Izvor Mountaineering Society, Čigra Savate Club or Tomik Gym. These walks depart at 9am or 11am (for the walk organised by Čigra Savate Club).

Bregdown Cycling Club have organised a guided cycling route from Ante Starčević Square in Sveti Ivan Zelina to this year’s Kestenijada. Regular bikes and e-bikes are very welcome! A surprise will greet all cyclists at the finish line, but do note that registration is required if you want to join this cycling route. The cycling route starts at 10am.

If you’re driving, do note that a one-way system will operate, with traffic into and out of Kladeščica following different routes to avoid congestion.

This year’s Kestenijada is definitely one you won’t want to miss!