Here’s a listing of events in North Dalmatia that are taking place this year!
Events in North Dalmatia in March 2023
The Zadar ATP Challenger tennis event should take place in late March.
Events in North Dalmatia in April 2023
The Zadar Wine Festival – featuring wine producers from all over Croatia – is normally held in early April.
The Zadar Night Run will take place on 15th April 2023. It is as it sounds – a race in the centre of the town (in fact, you can choose a course out of three of differing lengths) that starts at 8.30pm at the Greeting to the Sun installation by the sea.
Paklenica National Park holds an International Climbers Meeting in late April each year in which teams of two people compete in a “big wall” speed climbing event in the Velika Paklenica canyon. More details can be found on the Paklenica National Park website.
Events in North Dalmatia in May 2023
The International Choir Competition will be held in Zadar from 25th to 28th May 2023.
Events in North Dalmatia in June 2023
The Trogir Summer Festival commences in mid-June but stretches out over July and August too. A number of traditional and modern concerts are held, together with theatre and dance performances, and exhibitions from both Croatian and international performers at various venues throughout Trogir.
The Velebit Ultra Trail takes place in June in Paklenica National Park. There are five categories (50 Miles, Marathon, Challenger, Active and Light) to compete in. You can sign up for any of these events on the website.
The Zadar Summer Theatre Festival runs from the end of June to the beginning of August each year; a variety of comedy, drama and monologue performances will be on show during this time. Some musical performances are also part of the festival.
The cathedral in Nin – the smallest cathedral in the world – hosts a festival of sun and light on 21st June each year, which is of course the longest day of the year.
The International Children’s Festival in Sibenik will be from 24th June to 8th July 2023; the first event took place in 1958.
Events in North Dalmatia in July 2023
The Musical Evenings of St Donat, held over the month of July and into August in Zadar, are a series of classical concerts by Croatian and international performers and musicians at St Donatus Church and various other locations in the town.
Animation festival SUPERTOON will be held in Sibenik 17th to 23rd July 2023, showcasing short animated films, as well as films for children and other animated features.
Icelandic band Sigur Ros will be playing the magical St Michael’s Fortress in Sibenik on 24th & 25th July 2023.
The 10th edition of the underground techno Moondance Festival will be held in and around Kamerlengo Castle in Trogir from 27th to 30th July 2023.
The Millennium Jump – where hundreds of people jump into the sea from the Riva in Zadar – will be held on 29th July 2023.
Events in North Dalmatia in August 2023
The wonderful Full Moon Festival takes place on the Riva in Zadar on a day in early August each year. Locals turn off their lights and head to the candlelit waterfront to enjoy music and food. A must if you’re in the region at this time of the year.
The 26th Evenings of Dalmatian Chanson are held over two days in mid-August in Sibenik. (A chanson is a special type of lyrical song – I had to look that up!) The event showcases typical Dalmatian singing.
Monoplay is a contemporary dance festival held each year in Zadar in mid-August.
Events in North Dalmatia in September 2023
The TOC Festival is a boutique event taking place in Nin from 7th to 9th September 2023. It combines wine, good food and fun experiences in the beautiful surroundings of the town.
Mountaineering group Highlander – who run events all over central and southern Europe and even further beyond – will be hosting their Highlander Velebit adventure from 12th to 17th September 2023.
The Zadar Outdoor Festival combines a number of sports competitions in Zadar and nearby locations – for example, a kayak race, a surfers challenge, a sunset run and an olive trail on the nearby island of Ugljan. But there will also be much more besides, including live music, film screenings, workshops, yoga and food sampling! To participate, sign up on the website. This year, it will be on the 23rd & 24th September 2023.
The Medieval Fair in Sibenik will be held in late September, with music, dancing, “sports” (knights’ battles and crossbowmen), food and stands with items for sale.
Events in North Dalmatia in October 2023
The Zadar Half Triathlon is held in early October.
The Zadar Street Food Festival will be held from in late September/early October at Beach Bar Bamboo; a number of local restaurants will be taking part.
The 25th Biograd Boat Show will take place 25th to 29th October 2023.
Events in North Dalmatia in December 2023
As with many other towns and cities in Croatia, Zadar will be hosting special Christmas and New Year‘s events. Christmas will see special festivities centred around music, food, markets, and exhibitions – whilst New Year’s Eve will see the typical free ‘party’ on the streets in the centre of town, ringing in the New Year with live music. More details can be found on the Zadar Tourist Board website.