Events on the Croatian Islands 2024

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 have 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 and King Lear. 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 16th to 20th April 2024.

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.

Cres is also home to the Crescendo Musical Festival (end of August).

Events on Losinj

Events on Losinj will include the Losinj Cuisine Festival in April, and the Day of Dolphins cultural festival on the 1st August.

Mali Losinj also hosts the Losinj Jazz Festival – in its 20th year – at the end of July/beginning of August. There will be performances from both Croatian and foreign jazz artists in some great open-air locations.

Events on Krk

On the island of Krk, events are numerous! They include:

Culinary celebrations such as the Eco, ethno winefest in May
The Baska Guitar Fest in August
The popular carnival takes place every January & February, culminating in a large parade in the middle of the second month of the year
Crna Ovca (black sheep in English) in Baska is a three-day sport (sailing) and entertainment festival in May that also celebrates Baska lamb – this year it will be on from 17th to 19th May 2024
The medieval-themed Krk Fair (first held in 1524!) takes place over three days at the beginning of August; it includes music and other fun and games
Homo ni jidra is a sailing regatta that takes place in Malinska in early September
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 – home to a number of sandy beaches – hosts a Festival of Sand Sculptures every June.

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.

There’s also the Pag Outdoor Summer Weekend for the active types; this event brings together a number of activities (windsurfing, cycling, kayaking and more) on consecutive weekends over the summer.

However, Pag is known as being something of a party island! Party central is Zrce Beach (near Novalja) featuring Club Papaya and Club Aquarius which 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 (23rd to 27th June 2024) and Sonus Festival (18th to 22nd August 2024).

There are plenty more of the many Festivals in Croatia taking place in Zrce Beach too – check out our guide.

Events on Dugi Otok

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 16th March 2024.

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 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 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.
Carpe Diem on Hvar will also host a number of lively club nights and international DJs this summer

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 Bol Summer Festival (June to October); the visually stunning street art/graffiti event Graffiti na Gradele (August); the Brac Film Festival (August) and the International Summer Carnival (September, in various locations).

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. There’s also the wonderful Goulash Disko festival in Komiza in mid-September.

Fort George, just above Vis Town, also hosts an exciting line-up of events each summer as well.

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. 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 (25th – 30th April 2024) 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.