Information & prices
The Zagreb Tourist Office website (www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr) runs a full agenda, regularly updated.
Critics’ choice
Dance Week Festival
Where: Croatian Institute for Motion & Dance, Bijankinijeva 5
When: late May
Tel & website: 01 46 41 154, www.danceweekfestival.com
It its 26th year, in a new base at the former Lika Cinema at Ilica 10, the DWF showcases a wide selection of international choreographers at their new home, now named the Zagreb Centre for Dance. Part of the programme is geared toward showing the works of choreographers up to 27 years of age. Some events also take place outside of Zagreb.
Strossmartre
Where: Strossmayerovo šetalište
When: summer
Website: www.kraljeviulice.com
Run by the people behind Cest is d’Best, this summer-long series of outdoor events comprises free films (part of the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ programme), a mixed offering of concerts and downright unusual happenings (the best mongrel dog show, finest wine-and-soda spritzer competition) in the lovely, leafy setting of Zagreb’s Strossmayer Promenade. Much of what’s on has been arranged at the last minute – check the website for all up-to-date details.
Animafest
Where: cinemas across Zagreb
When: early June
Tel & website: 01 45 01 191, www.animafest.hr
Croatia’s leading festival for short, animated films. Most screenings take place at the Europa, Tuškanac and Movieplex cinemas.
Cest is d’Best
Where: Zagreb city centre
When: early June
Websites: www.kraljeviulice.com, www.cestisdbest.com
This popular celebration of street entertainment is set in the streets and squares of Zagreb city centre. The event is the brainchild of two popular buskers, Pajo and Hadži, who gained fame on national TV performing old-fashioned melodies. Recent performers from several countries have taken the event to a new international level.
INmusic Festival
Where: Lake Jarun
When: June
Website: www.t-mobileinmusicfestival.com
Croatia’s most heavyweight music festival consists of a six-stage, two-day event that takes place on Croatian Youth Island at Lake Jarun in the south-west of the Croatian capital. Headlining acts for 2010 include Billy Idol, Massive Attack and the Flaming Lips.
Eurokaz International Festival of New Theatre
Where: across Zagreb
When: late June-early July
Tel & website: 01 48 47 856, www.eurokaz.hr
Since its inauguration in 1987, Eurokaz has presented hundreds of artists and companies from around the world, with disciplines ranging from theatre to contemporary dance, and body art to new circus. There are also multi-media presentations and visual arts. An eclectic programme is promised at several venues.
Zagreb Film Festival
Where: across Zagreb
When: Oct
Tel & website: 01 45 93 692, www.zagrebfilmfestival.com
A week-long celebration of celluloid, with international directors challenging for the Golden Pram awards. This has become one of the biggest cultural events in the capital’s calendar, with 35,000 visitors descending on the Student Centre and other venues to watch films and party till the early hours.
Nu:Write Theatre Festival
Where: Student Centre, Savska 25
When: Nov 16-Nov 20
Website: www.nuwritefestival.com
The first festival of what seems likely to become an annual fixture Nu:Write runs for five days across multiple stages within the city (Teatar, &TD and the Student Centre) and features an impressive array of British fringe theatre: new writing, physical theatre and modern puppetry complemented by workshops run by renowned British stage writers and performing artists. The after parties will run late too. Recommended.
Zagreb Wine Gourmet Festival
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Zagreb
When: Feb 25-26
Website: www.1001delicija.com
A two day long gourmet’s dream, the Zagreb Wine Gourmet Festival sees more than 500 wines from across Croatia and further afield go on show. You can meet and mingle with their creators, learn more at tastings and workshops, and get stuck into some fantastic food from Michelin-starred chefs alongside fellow foodies and assorted cultural ministers. A belt-tightening gastro delight.
Spring
Jewish Film Festival
Where: Europa Cinema, Varšavska 3
When: May
Tel & website: 01 48 34 900, www.jff-zagreb.hr
Screenings of recent, high-standard films with a Jewish subject matter, some 20 works in all, both foreign and domestic. Screenings take place at the atmospheric Europa Cinema. There will also be workshops, lectures, tuition and a musical element to proceedings.
Dance Week Festival
Where: Croatian Institute for Motion & Dance, Bijankinijeva 5
When: late May
Tel & website: 01 46 41 154, www.danceweekfestival.com
It its 26th year, in a new base at the former Lika Cinema at Ilica 10, the DWF showcases a wide selection of international choreographers at their new home, now named the Zagreb Centre for Dance. Part of the programme is geared toward showing the works of choreographers up to 27 years of age. Some events also take place outside of Zagreb.
Zagreb City Day
Where: All over Zagreb
When: May 31
Tel & website: 01 48 14 051, www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
Shows, concerts and exhibitions across a flower-strewn town centre to mark Zagreb City Day.
Animafest
Where: cinemas across Zagreb
When: early June
Tel & website: 01 45 01 191, www.animafest.hr
Croatia’s leading festival for short, animated films. Most screenings take place at the Europa, Tuškanac and Movieplex cinemas.
Cest is d’Best
Where: Zagreb city centre
When: early June
Websites: www.kraljeviulice.com, www.cestisdbest.com
This popular celebration of street entertainment is set in the streets and squares of Zagreb city centre. The event is the brainchild of two popular buskers, Pajo and Hadži, who gained fame on national TV performing old-fashioned melodies. Recent performers from several countries have taken the event to a new international level.
Summer
Strossmartre
Where: Strossmayerovo šetalište
When: summer
Website: www.kraljeviulice.com
Run by the people behind Cest is d’Best, this summer-long series of outdoor events comprises free films (part of the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ programme), a mixed offering of concerts and downright unusual happenings (the best mongrel dog show, finest wine-and-soda spritzer competition) in the lovely, leafy setting of Zagreb’s Strossmayer Promenade. Much of what’s on has been arranged at the last minute – check the website for all up-to-date details.
INmusic Festival
Where: Lake Jarun
When: June
Website: www.t-mobileinmusicfestival.com
Croatia’s most heavyweight music festival consists of a six-stage, two-day event that takes place on Croatian Youth Island at Lake Jarun in the south-west of the Croatian capital. Headlining acts for 2010 include Billy Idol, Massive Attack and the Flaming Lips.
Eurokaz International Festival of New Theatre
Where: across Zagreb
When: late June-early July
Tel & website: 01 48 47 856, www.eurokaz.hr
Since its inauguration in 1987, Eurokaz has presented hundreds of artists and companies from around the world, with disciplines ranging from theatre to contemporary dance, and body art to new circus. There are also multi-media presentations and visual arts. An eclectic programme is promised at several venues.
Puppetry Festival
Where: across Zagreb
When: late Aug
Tel & website: 01 66 01 626, http://public.carnet.hr/pif-festival
Now in its fifth decade, this week-long event encompasses all forms of puppetry, for children and adults, with performances taking place in theatres and open-air stages across the city. Judges choose the best children’s show and best overall play.
Autumn
September Fest
Where: Lake Bundek
When: late Sept
Website: www.rujanfest.com
This is Zagreb’s equivalent of Munich’s beer-sodden Oktoberfest, except far more genteel – and more local. A range of culinary delights are presented at harvest time in this attractive park, as well as a number of musical performances from traditional to contemporary electronic.
Zagreb Film Festival
Where: across Zagreb
When: Oct
Tel & website: 01 45 93 692, www.zagrebfilmfestival.com
A week-long celebration of celluloid, with international directors challenging for the Golden Pram awards. This has become one of the biggest cultural events in the capital’s calendar, with 35,000 visitors descending on venues including the Student Centre to watch films and party till the early hours.
International Jazz Days
Where: across Zagreb
When: late Oct
Website: www.jazz.hr, www.hds.hr
One of two major jazz festivals to take place in the capital – the other is Springtime Jazz Fever in late March (same website details). The most prestigious concerts are staged at the Lisinski Concert Hall.
Winter
Snow Queen Trophy
Where: Sljeme
When: early Jan
Website: www.vipsnowqueentrophy.com
International World Cup slalom events for men and women, at the high-standard ski centre on Sljeme just outside Zagreb.
Zagreb Wine Gourmet Festival
Where: Zagreb
When: Feb
Website: www.1001delicija.com
Two days of wining and dining at a prestigious address in the capital – a recent event was held at the Museum of Arts & Crafts. Chefs, vintners and sundry cultural ministers mingle at this press-friendly event.
Zagreb Dox
Where: across Zagreb
When: late Feb
Website: www.zagrebdox.net
This six-day showcase for documentaries is divided into regional and international works. China picked up awards in 2010
Subversive Fllm Festival
Where: across Zagreb
When: spring
Website: www.subversivefilmfestival.com
Experimental and political works. Each year has a theme – the one for 2010 was Socialism.
Public holidays
As well as the standard holidays respected by all Catholic countries, Croatia observes a number of national days that mainly fall in summer.
New Year’s Day January 1
Epiphany January 6
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Labour Day May 1
Corpus Christi
Anti-Fascist Resistance Day June 22
Statehood Day June 25
Victory Day/National Thanksgiving Day August 5
Assumption August 15
Independence Day October 8
All Souls’ Day November 1
Christmas December 25, 26