When summer arrives, Slovenia and Croatia are transformed into living stages where music, art and nature intertwine to offer unforgettable experiences. From tranquil mountain landscapes to the Adriatic lapped coasts, the region hosts a vibrant diversity of festivals that celebrate the creative spirit and collective joy. Here is a list of the most interesting summer festivals.
FESTIVALS IN SLOVENIA
Ljubljana Festival
The Ljubljana Festival is one of the most outstanding cultural events in Slovenia. It is held every summer in the country’s capital. For several months, internationally renowned artists fill the city’s stages with classical music, opera, ballet, and theater concerts. The performances are placed in historic and open-air venues, such as the Križanke Summer Theater, creating a magical atmosphere. It is an unmissable event for lovers of the performing arts and European culture.
Lent Festival, Maribor
Held in late June and early July in Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city, the Lent Festival is one of the largest open-air festivals in Europe. For two weeks, the streets, squares, and banks of the Drava River are transformed into stages for music performances, theater, dance, street art, and much more. A celebration of creativity and community, where local and international artists share their talent with thousands of visitors.
Pivo in Cvetje, Laško
Literally “Beer and Flowers,” this festival takes place in Laško every July and combines Slovenian brewing tradition with music, parades, and flower shows. With a history dating back more than 50 years, it is one of the most popular events in the country. The festive atmosphere, accompanied by good beer and live concerts, attracts families, young people, and visitors from all over Europe.
Soča Festivalley
This festival is held in the stunning valley of the Soča River, known for its unspoiled nature and emerald-colored waters. Although the name “Soča Festivalley” does not correspond to a single official event, festivals such as Soča Reggae Riversplash or Overjam Festival are organized in this region, usually between July and August. They focus on alternative, reggae, and electronic music, and offer a unique experience that blends nature, music, and free spirit.
Gora Rocka, Tolmin
Gora Rocka is a charity rock festival held at the end of June in the small town of Tolmin in Šentviška Gora in western Slovenia. In addition to featuring concerts by well-known Slovenian and international rock bands, the festival stands out for its charitable approach: the funds raised go to social causes and community projects. With an authentic atmosphere, passionate volunteers, and a strong collective spirit, Gora Rocka demonstrates how music can be a force for good.
Okarina Festival, Bled
The Okarina Festival takes place in August in the picturesque village of Bled, famous for its island lake. This world music festival brings together artists from different cultures and traditions, offering unique concerts in a magical setting. This event promotes understanding between cultures through music, with an intimate and deeply spiritual atmosphere.
Seviqc (different venues)
Seviqc Brežice is one of Central Europe’s most important early music festivals, held mainly in historic castles and cultural monuments in Slovenia. Every summer in August, it offers concerts with high-level performers specialized in Baroque, Renaissance, and medieval music. The festival not only revives the music of the past but also places it in venues that enrich it with historical authenticity and architectural beauty.
Enjoy Slovenia in other seasons.
Don’t miss the carnivals!
Tartini Festival, Piran
Held between August and September in the picturesque seaside town of Piran, the Tartini Festival honors the legacy of the virtuoso violinist Giuseppe Tartini, born there in the 18th century. This international chamber music festival brings together leading musicians from Europe and beyond, offering intimate performances in historic settings such as Tartini’s House and the Franciscan church. It is a refined musical experience deeply tied to Slovenian cultural history.
Plavajoči Grad Snežnik
Plavajoči grad (the “Floating Castle”) is a multidisciplinary festival held in July in the majestic natural setting of Snežnik Castle. For several days, the castle and its surrounding forests are transformed into a fantastic world populated by musicians, actors, storytellers, and visual artists. The festival invites the active participation of the public and creates a magical atmosphere where art and nature merge into a unique and immersive experience.
Jazzinty Novo Mesto
Jazzinty is much more than a jazz festival: it is a platform for training, experimentation, and encounters between musicians from different backgrounds. Held in August in the city of Novo mesto, it combines an intensive week of musical workshops with evening concerts that fill the city with rhythm and creativity. It is a space where emerging talent and jazz masters meet to share knowledge, explore new ideas, and offer unforgettable performances.
Castle Festival, Fara Kostel
Located in the charming village of Fara near the Kolpa River, the Castle Festival combines music, nature, and community in an outdoor event held every July. With a mix of concerts, recreational activities, riverside camping, and evening parties, the festival attracts young people and families looking for a relaxing cultural getaway. The connection to the natural environment and the friendly atmosphere makes it a special destination for Slovenian summer lovers.
Grossman Festival Ljutomer
The Grossmann Festival is a unique event that pays tribute to fantastic, horror, and cult cinema, held every July in the town of Ljutomer. In addition to high-voltage film screenings, the festival includes exhibitions, workshops, book presentations, and a unique pairing of film and local wine. With a bold, creative, and sometimes provocative approach, the Grossmann Festival has gained a reputation as one of the most original cultural events in the region.
Visit Croatia and enjoy their summer festivals
FESTIVALS IN CROATIA
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
One of the oldest and most prestigious cultural festivals in the Adriatic, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is held every summer in the historic walled city of Dubrovnik. Since 1950, the festival has offered a carefully chosen selection of theater, classical music, dance, and opera in unique settings such as palaces, squares, and medieval fortresses. Its combination of monumental heritage and artistic excellence makes it a cultural jewel of the Mediterranean.
Ultra Europe Festival – Split
Ultra Europe is one of the largest electronic music festivals on the continent, attracting tens of thousands of young people from all over the world to the coastal city of Split every July. With some of the most famous DJs on the planet, spectacular light stages, and parties on nearby islands like Hvar or Brač, the festival turns the Dalmatian coast into the epicenter of European summer dance culture.
Ulysses – Summer Theatre in Brioni
The Ulysses Theatre is a unique theatrical experience that takes place during July and August in the majestic setting of the Brijuni National Park, an archipelago off the coast of Istria. Founded by renowned actor Rade Šerbedžija, the theater offers contemporary and classical dramatic performances on open-air stages, surrounded by sea, history, and nature. It is a festival where performing art merges with the magical atmosphere of the islands.
INmusic festival, Zagreb
Held in the Croatian capital in June, the INmusic Festival is the largest rock and alternative music festival in the country. Located on the island of Lake Jarun, the event has hosted big international names such as Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, Nick Cave, and Florence + The Machine. With its relaxed atmosphere, urban nature, and quality line-up, it is the meeting point for music lovers from all over Eastern Europe.
Špancirfest, Varaždin
Špancirfest is the largest and most dynamic urban festival in northern Croatia. It transforms the Baroque town of Varaždin into a cultural melting pot during late August and early September. The streets are filled with street performers, musicians of various genres, art exhibitions, food fairs, and workshops for all ages. In addition to offering open-air concerts, the festival creates a space for conviviality, discovery, and shared joy. Špancirfest is a vibrant celebration that unites tradition and modernity, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Bear Stone Festival, Slunj
In the heart of Croatian nature, the Bear Stone Festival in Slunj offers an authentic encounter with local traditions and folk music during July. With stages located near the famous Rastoke waterfalls, the main idea of the festival is to combine its stunning riverside scenery, and fuzzy guitar genres with psychedelic art installations and projections made with analog techniques. It is a celebration of rural culture that invites you to connect with your roots in a picturesque setting.
Hideout Festival, Pag
The Hideout Festival on the island of Pag is synonymous with summer, partying, and high-quality electronic music. During July, the island fills up with thousands of visitors looking to combine sun, beach, and boat parties with sessions by world-renowned international DJs.
The stages, located at iconic venues such as Zrće Beach, offer everything from house and techno sets to drum & bass and experimental electronica. Hideout is a meeting point for the global dance music community, with an energetic and vibrant atmosphere that lasts day and night.
Summer Festival, Pula
The Adria Summer Festival is held in the historic town of Pula, known for its impressive Roman amphitheater. This festival brings together some of the most popular pop, dance, and urban music artists in Croatia and internationally. With open-air concerts, light shows and a vibrant seaside atmosphere, the Adria Summer Festival offers rhythm-filled nights by the Adriatic Sea. It is a must-attend event for those looking for a combination of sun, culture, and good music during the summer in Istria.
Half New Year Celebration Carnival
The Half New Year Celebration Carnival on the island of Korčula is a vibrant festival that celebrates a sort of “halfway new year” during June and July. This colorful celebration fills the medieval streets of Korčula with spectacular parades, elaborate masks, live music, and traditional and modern dances. The carnival creates a magical and festive atmosphere in the middle of summer, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the joy, creativity, and folk traditions of the island.
RetrOpatija
RetrOpatija is a nostalgic journey into Croatia’s musical past, held in the sophisticated town of Opatija in September. The festival revives the sounds of classic rock, pop, and popular music from previous decades, with cover bands and originals evoking golden eras. In addition to concerts, the event includes themed activities and gatherings for lovers of vinyl and retro culture. RetrOpatija is an intergenerational meeting point, celebrating music and history with style and passion.
As you can see, the choice is huge and diverse. Who says you can only sign up for one festival? Summer is long!
