Below is a listing of some of the best events in Zagreb for 2026! Croatia’s capital city has a wonderful variety of events taking place all year round – you’ll really be spoilt for choice for things to attend and enjoy.
Events with confirmed dates are shown in bold. If you know of any events in Zagreb that you’d like to see listed here, contact us!
Events in January 2026
Look out for deliciousness! The exceedingly grand Hotel Esplanade will hopefully be hosting Strukli Days this month. The hotel’s Le Bistro restaurant will be offering two portions of strukli (a dumpling-like dish) for a special promotional price. Just the thing during winter!
Noc muzeja (or “Night of the Museums”) will be held across the country on 30th January 2026, the 21st edition of this very special event. 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 2026
En Primeur on 2nd February 2026 will showcase young Malvasia wine from around 70 winemakers. The event is free, but pre-registration (via the website) is required.
The Zagreb Boat and Sport Show is now in its 32nd 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 18th to 22rd February 2026.
Gast Fair is the largest gastro event in Croatia, and is now held in Zagreb, having previously been held in Split. It is on from 26th to 28th February 2026.
Events in March 2026
The Festival of Lights will take place each evening from 18th to 22nd March 2026 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 towards the end of March. (And again in October.) 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.
Place2Go, the largest tourism fair in Croatia, will be held at the Zagreb Velesajam venue from 20th to 22nd March 2026. Entry is free.
Events in April 2026
Zagreb Dox, an international documentary film festival, will be in its 22nd year in 2026; it will be on from 19th to 26th April 2026. Taking place at the MoviePlex cinema in the Kaptol Center, there are several themed programs as well as a competition for the best documentary.
The exquisite Zagreb Pizza Festival is on in Franjo Tudjman Park from 16th to 26th April 2026. Come down to chow down on the best pizza Zagreb has to offer!
Look out for the Asian Street Food Festival on Strossmayer Square from 13th to 19th May 2026.
The Welcome Spring Festival 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. It normally takes place at the end of April/early May.
Events in May 2026
Look out for the Asian Street Food Festival on Strossmayer Square from 13th to 19th May 2026.
The Floraart Festival – an international flower and garden event – takes place by Lake Bundek each year this month, this time from 14th to 17th May 2026. A great number of Croatian exhibitors and a handful of international ones also take part. 2026 sees the 60th edition of the event take place.
The Zagreb Beer Fest takes place in Franjo Tudjman Park, west of the main square, from 21st to 24th May 2026. Close to 200 beers can be sampled, with lots of good food and music to enjoy too!
C’est is d’Best is a festival in which street performers – musicians, actors, dancers – take part in various performances at assorted locations throughout the city. Taking place from 28th to 31st May 2026, it celebrates its 30th birthday this year!
Ful Kul Flea Market returns to Boogaloo Club on 30th May 2026. Come down from 10am to 5pm to buy, sell or swap items – clothes, shoes, jewellery, books, CDs, DVDs, posters, memorabilia, knick-knacks and much more. Enjoy a coffee or a beer whilst you browse this fun market!
31st May 2026 is the City of Zagreb Day with special celebrations taking place.
Events in June 2026
Pop Up By The Lake is a month-long summer event in June that sees live music, food and drink, film screenings, stand-up comedy and general fun vibes by Lake Bundek. This year it will be on from 28th May to 29th June 2026.
Animafest, as the name might suggest, is a world festival of animated film. First held way back in 1972, it will be on from 8th to 13th June 2026.
The Food Truck Festival should be offering up plenty of tasty delights – food and drink – plus entertainment on Britanski trg this month
The 24th Zagreb Pride will take to the streets of Croatia’s capital this month.
Sting will be performing at the Arena Zagreb on 17th June 2026.
Zagreb Classic – a series of free classical music performances in King Tomislav Square – will run from 19th June to 3rd July 2026.
Lake Jarun is home to the excellent INmusic Festival. A three-day (22nd to 24th June 2026) music event in a pretty setting in the southwestern part of the city, there’s a host of international bands and stars performing. This year’s acts include Kings of Leon, Jack White, Gorillaz and The Flaming Lips. It’s a great way of experiencing a music festival right in the heart of a European city. It’s also one of the top events in Zagreb each year. Read more on our guide to the Festival here.
The Beach Handball World Championships will be held by Lake Jarun in Zagreb from 23rd to 28th June 2026.
Wine City (late June/early July) is an excellent place to enjoy local wine! Come down to Franjo Tudjman Park to wine in a great atmosphere; you can also enjoy some wine workshops.
Pivovara Medvedgrad (Medvedgrad Brewery) should host its annual celebration of craft beer and music – Brudanje – at the end of June.
Events in July 2026
Veceri na Gricu (Evenings on Gric or Gric Evenings in English) is a long-running festival (in its 45th year in 2026) featuring a series of concerts in the Upper Town. The concerts will take place in 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 take place in several cinemas in the city in June/July.
In mid-July, the magical Dvorista (“Courtyards”) takes place in those very areas in the Upper Town of Zagreb, normally inaccessible to the public. There will be music, gastronomic delights and much more.
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 60th edition.
Events in August 2026
There will be a Dance Party in Zrinjevac Park every Friday and Saturday throughout August (starting on Friday 31st July 2026). A one-hour “lesson” will take place at 6pm, with a concert at 8pm. Both sessions are free!
Enjoy wine and live music every Saturday evening in August at the Le Gric event next to Park Gric in the Upper Town.
Okolo Zagreb in August features a number of art installations by Croatian and foreign artists – both large and small – on the streets of Zagreb.
Zagreb will be the host city of both the Women’s (13th – 16th August 2026) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics European Championships (19th – 23rd August 2026). Both events will be held in Zagreb Arena.
Events in September 2026
Zagreb Museum Weekend returns early this month (3rd – 6th September 2026), celebrating the city’s many museums, with additional special events also being held. Entry to everything is free, but some events require prior sign-up.
The 18th edition of the ZeGeVe Festival, dedicated to all things vegan and eco, will be held on Europski trg from 4th to 6th September 2026.
Baš Naš Festival (4th – 20th September 2026) celebrates good times by Lake Bundek. Enjoy music, drinks and good food, especially BBQ!
Zagreb Design Week will take place from 8th to 20th September 2026, with all sorts of designs from Croatian and international designers showcased all over the city..
The Zagreb Burger Festival takes place in Tudjman Park in early/mid-September. 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 59th International Puppet Festival will be on in September with both Croatian and international puppetry groups taking part.
Events in October 2026
The Zagreb Jazz Festival is a series of concerts in Autumn and Winter each year; the first concert normally takes place in early October.
The 34th Zagreb Marathon will take to the city’s streets on 11th October 2026.
The Zagreb TourFilm Festival – a festival of international tourist films – takes place this month.
Zagreb Open House – which allows members of the public access to buildings that are normally private or closed off – takes place 16th to 18th October 2026.
Oktobeerfest was a brand new event last year – keep an eye out for whether it will return this year too!
Events in November 2026
The highly prestigious Zagreb Film Festival – now in its 24th year – showcases films from debut or new filmmakers from across the world, with prizes awarded in several categories. It will be held from 9th to 15th November 2026.
The 20th Pssst! Silent Film Festival – with both domestic and foreign silent films – takes place in early November.
Events in December 2026
The 24th Human Rights Film Festival takes place in early December in Zagreb (and Rijeka), promoting the subject of human rights as depicted in film.
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 with the truly spectacular Advent in Zagreb! The official Advent in 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 the city, and truly one of the best events in Zagreb – see my review of the 2024 Advent in Zagreb and the 2025 Advent in Zagreb. Spoiler alert – I loved it!
Trg ban Jelacic is also the main focus for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with an open-air concert and fireworks.
Sting will be performing at the Arena Zagreb on 17th June 2026.
The Beach Handball World Championships will be held by Lake Jarun in Zagreb from 23rd-28th June 2026.