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 2025
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.
Porec will be the venue for some of the matches of the IHF Men’s Handball World Championships, being hosted jointly by Croatia, Denmark and Norway. The tournament runs from 14th January to 2nd February 2025.
Events in February 2025
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 23rd February 2025.
Events in March 2025
The Full Moon Regatta from sail from Pula to Mali Losinj from 13th to 16th March 2025.
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!
Events in April 2025
100 Miles of Istria (10th to 13th April 2025) 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 & 12th April 2025.
The Weekend Food Festival will be held in Rovinj from 11th to 13th April 2025. 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!
As mentioned above, the love of asparagus continues this month – be sure to swing by Lovran on 12th April 2025 to enjoy a fritaja (similar to an omelette) made in a giant pan with 1000 eggs and 30kg of asparagus and bacon!
Oleum Olivarum is a two-day olive oil exhibition held near Buje each year in April.
The Umag Run will take place on 27th April 2025. 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.
Events in May 2025
The Vinistra Festival (9th – 11th May 2025) 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 (12th – 17th May 2025) 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 will take place on 17th May 2025. Starting and ending 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 – this year it is on from 16th to 18th May. 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.
The intimate electro-music event Lighthouse Festival returns to Porec, taking place from 28th May to 1st June 2025.
Events in June 2025
The wonderful fruit that is the cherry will be celebrated in Lovran throughout June 2025, with the top event the Cherry Fest on 14th June 2025.
“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 9th to 16th June 2025, 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!
Legendary singer Tom Jones will be performing at the Arena in Pula on 24th June 2025.
The wonderful sounding Gelato Park – World of Ice Cream Wonders will be held in Porec’s Olge Ban Park on 27th to 29th June 2025. 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 2025
The Pula Film Festival will be in its 72nd year in 2025, making it the oldest festival of its kind in Croatia. Held every July, Croatian and international films are shown at various locations in Pula, including in the stunning amphitheatre (the Arena) in the town.
Organised by the Zagreb Dance Company, the Dance and Non-Verbal Theatre Festival San Vincenti takes place in mid-July, featuring contemporary dance performances, physical theatre, mime, circus performances, street art and educational seminars and workshops from both Croatian and international groups.
The 35th edition of the Croatia Open ATP tennis tournament takes place in mid/late July in Umag. A selection of top men’s players, including some of the best Croatian players, take part. (The 2021 champion was Carlos Alcaraz; last year’s winner was Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina.) 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.
Your favourite Canadian rocker and mine, Bryan Adams, will be performing at The Arena in Pula on 29th July 2025.
Events in August 2025
The Last Minute Open Jazz Festival is held in the small but exceedingly pretty town of Bale in early August each year.
French electronica will be coming to the Arena in Pula when Justice perform on 10th August 2025.
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-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. This year is the 50th modern edition; however, this event was first recorded as taking place in 1696.
In a concert that will surely make the most of its amazing setting, Jose Carreras will have a concert in Pula’s Arena on 26th August 2025.
Events in September 2025
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!
The historic festival Giostra (pictured below) takes place in Porec in mid-September. There will be traditional costumes, music and games.
The Visualia Festival of Light should take place in Pula in mid-September.
The Weekend Media Festival, a regional communications event, takes place in Rovinj 18th to 21st Septmber 2025.
The FAKS International Folklore & Traditional Dance Festival will be held in Rovinj 25th to 28th September 2025.
The Istra 300 is a 300km bike ride on closed road routes in and around Porec that will take place on 27th September 2025.
Events in October 2025
Sometimes 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 this Istrian speciality. There’s plenty of information on these events on the Zigante Tartufi Days website.
Along the paths of Rovinj delicacies in early October sees certain Rovinj restaurants offer special menus for a promotional price. Taste some amazing Istrian delicacies!
The Ginistra Festival – obviously, all about gin – will be on in Rovinj in early October.
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.
Teran Wine & Walk 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.
The Plava Laguna Ironman Triathlon will take place in Porec on 19th October 2025.
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.
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 2025
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 Light Festival should take place in Lovran 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 2025
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.
Adventure Race Croatia (12th – 17th May 2025) will consist of teams of two and four competing over various stages (hiking/running, swimming, mountain biking and kayaking) in Istria.