Events in January 2023
The FIS Ski World Cup Snow Queen Trophy will take place in Zagreb (well, on the mountain above the city!) on 4th and 5th January 2023, with both days hosting women’s races. (There will be no men’s races in Zagreb in 2023!) The event is unique as it is the only Ski World Cup race to take place in – or rather, on the outskirts of – a major city. With around 25,000 spectators lining the slopes for the races, this is also one of the best-attended races on the ski calendar with an amazing atmosphere. If you are wondering about the name, the event is named in honour of Janica Kostelic, Croatia’s greatest-ever skier.
Noc muzeja (or “Night of the museums”) will be held across the country on 27th January 2023, the 18th edition of this very special event. This year, the theme is “Museums are Important!” – wise words! There is free entry to museums, with special exhibitions, workshops, events and more taking place; many of Zagreb’s museums take part.
Events in February 2023
The Zagreb Boat and Sport Show is now in its 30th year and is to be held at the Zagreb Fair (‘Zagrebacki Velesajam’) venue with a variety of boat, yacht and other marine sports exhibitors. It is being held over five days, from 22nd to 26th February 2023.
Zagreb’s Museum of Chocolate is behind the wonderful sounding Days of Chocolate and Coffee (23rd – 26th February 2023). Chocolate producers from Croatia and neighbouring countries will be showing off their amazing chocolate creations (obviously, there’s plenty of opportunity for tastings!) and plenty of coffee will also be available.
Events in March 2023
Zagreb will be the host city of Group A of the Men’s Water Polo World Cup – with preliminary matches between Croatia, Italy, France, Hungary, Japan and United States taking place from 8th to 14th March 2023.
The Festival of Lights will take place each evening from 15th to 19th March 2023 with a number of stunning visual light displays at several prominent locations around the city.
Restaurant Week (or Tjedan Restoran in Croatian) actually takes place over a week and a bit in Croatia’s capital city in March each year. A number of restaurants take part, each offering a special Restaurant Week three-course menu (and sometimes with a glass of wine too!) for a special price. This year, the event will take place from 24th March to 2nd April 2023.
Zagreb Dox, an international documentary film festival, will be in its 19th year in 2023; it will be on from 26th March to 2nd April 2023. Taking place at the MoviePlex cinema in the Kaptol Center, there are several themed programs as well as a competition for the best documentary.
Events in April 2023
Rally Croatia, part of the FIA World Rally calendar, will be held on a 300km course in, around and near Zagreb from 20th to 23rd April 2023.
Events in May 2023
The Welcome Spring Festival (28th April to 7th May 2023) celebrates and promotes nature and protecting the environment and highlights issues regarding climate change through numerous activities – workshops, art programmes, music, kids events and more.
Ljeto na Strosu (“Summer on Strosu”) is a series of musical and other fun events on Strossmayer Boulevard in Zagreb’s Upper Town. It takes place every summer from roughly the end of May to the beginning of September each year.
The Zagreb Beer Fest should take place at Franjo Tudjman park, west of the main square in mid-May. Close to 200 beers can be sampled, with lots of good food and music to enjoy too!
Pizza Festival Zagreb will be serving up some very tasty pizza pies on Strossmayer Square from the 18th to 28th May 2023.
The 32nd Days of Croatian Film will take place over six days in mid-May.
The Floraart Festival – an international flower and garden event – takes place by Lake Bundek in late May each year. A great number of Croatian exhibitors and a handful of international ones also take part.
Events in June 2023
The Food Truck Festival should be offering up plenty of tasty delights – food and drink – plus entertainment by Lake Jarun from 31st May to 18th June 2023.
The 22nd Zagreb Pride should be taking to the streets of Croatia’s capital in early June.
Animafest, as the name might suggest, is a world festival of animated film which was first held way back in 1972. This year’s festival will be held from 5th to 10th June 2023.
Let The Music Be Free is a dance music festival taking place from the 15th to 17th June 2023.
The very first Asian Street Food Festival is taking place in Strossmayer Park from 15th to 25th June 2023; come down to try some very fine Asian cuisine and drinks from top Zagreb restaurants.
C’est is d’Best is a mid-June festival in which street performers – musicians, actors, dancers – take part in various performances at assorted locations throughout the city.
The Pop Up Summer Garden runs from mid-June until mid-September every Zagreb summer. It features live music, film, workshops and food and drink in the pretty Tuskanac woods.
Lake Jarun is home to the INmusic Festival, a three-day music event in a pretty setting in the southwestern part of the city, with a host of international bands and stars performing. It’s a great way of experiencing a music festival right in the heart (just about) of a European city – and is one of the top events in Zagreb each year! 2023’s dates have yet to be announced, but the festival takes place in late June each year. Read more on our guide to the Festival here.
Events in July 2023
The 17th Festival of Tolerance (Jewish Film Festival) should be held in early July.
The Fantastic Zagreb Film Festival is a festival dedicated to “fiction film” – i.e. sci-fi, horror, thrillers, suspense films and similar. Film screenings normally take place in several cinemas in the city in June/July.
Veceri na Gricu (Evenings on Gric or Gric Evenings in English) is a long-running festival (in its 42nd year in 2023) featuring a series of concerts in the Upper Town. The concerts should take place throughout July and August.
The magical Dvorista (“Courtyards”) takes place in those very – normally inaccessible – areas in the Upper Town of Zagreb in mid-July, with music, gastronomic delights and much more.
Depeche Mode will be performing at the Arena Zagreb on 23rd July 2023.
The International Folklore Festival – over the course of five days – brings together folklore groups from Croatia, Europe and further afield for performances, workshops, concerts, exhibitions and a handicraft and souvenir fair. Some performances are held in Ban Jelacic square. This year’s Festival is the 57th edition.
Events in August 2023
Mali Piknik (Small Picnic) is an event taking place on Fridays in July and August at Rokov Perivoj. Bring a blanket and good company for your own little picnic, enjoying good food and drink that is available to buy from local businesses.
FlagArt Zagreb – the International Festival of Art Flags – takes place in August. Flags designed by artists from all over the world will be displayed in several prominent squares in the city, including Ban Jelacic Square.
Okolo Zagreb in August features a number of art installations – both large and small – on the streets of Zagreb by Croatian and foreign artists.
Note: We sometimes get asked why we never – or hardly ever – feature any August events for Zagreb! There are a few – check out some of the listings in the months above for events that, for example, ‘start in June’. Truthfully, there are not many happenings in the city this month as visitors and locals have departed for the coast for the summer holidays!
Events in September 2023
Zagreb Burger Festival will take place in Tudjman Park from 7th to 17th September 2023. All sorts of amazing burger creations will be on offer – from the plain to the “exotic” – as well as drinks, live music, kids activities and more. It’s a very fun – not to mention super tasty – event to attend!
The 56th International Puppet Festival will take place in mid-September with both Croatian and international puppetry groups taking part.
Events in October 2023
The Zagreb Yarn Craft Fest takes place at the Student Centre at the beginning of October. It covers knitting, crocheting, lacemaking and more.
The 31st Zagreb Marathon will be held on the city’s streets on 8th October 2023.
The Zagreb TourFilm Festival – a festival of international tourist films – takes place in early October.
Artupunktura is a (largely outdoor) art festival that stretches out over a month from 12th October 2023; expect to see large-scale art installations are numerous locations around the city.
The Zagreb Jazz Festival takes place in October/November each year.
The highly prestigious Zagreb Film Festival – now in its 21st year – showcases films from debut or new filmmakers from across the world. Held at the end of October, prizes are awarded in several categories.
Events in November 2023
The 17th Pssst! Silent Film Festival – with both domestic and foreign films – takes place in early November.
Events in December 2023
The 21st Human Rights Film Festival takes place in early December in Zagreb (and Rijeka), promoting the subject of human rights as depicted in film.
Bryan Adams will be performing at the Arena Zagreb on 13th December 2023.
As with many other places in Europe, Christmas will take over much of Zagreb in December, with decorations, live outdoor music, festive events and more. Advent Zagreb is a good website to check what’s happening where – if nothing else, head down to the main square (Trg ban Jelacic) to join in with the festive mood there! Zagreb won the European Best Destinations Best Christmas Market in 2016, 2017 AND 2018, so Zagreb’s Christmas celebrations are some of the best in Croatia (if not in the whole of Europe!). It’s a great time of year to be in Zagreb!
Trg ban Jelacic is also the main focus for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with an open-air concert and fireworks.
Upcoming Events in Zagreb
The men’s European Waterpolo Championships will be held in Zagreb (and Dubrovnik) from 4th to 16th January 2024.
Sting will be performing at the Zagreb Arena on the 27th May 2024.
Ed Sheeran will be performing at the Hipodrom on 10th August 2024.