So you are on these pages because you’re in a festival frenzy and you were looking for a guide to lead you through the labyrinth. Well buckle up and hold on tight. We’ll lead you through the adventurous days and nights of the summer accompanied by a soundtrack of techno, house, trance, bass, tech-house (or no soundtrack at all if you prefer)... We’ll attempt to give you a clear and concise run through of the best festivals this beautiful country has to offer from north to south and will make sure you know the place, the date, and the headliners.
As for the festivals themselves, as an institution in the past they served the purpose of strengthening the bonds among the community in the era before mass media. That time has passed but the need to be a part of something bigger than yourself, a part of the community, is still very much alive. This is the summer you’ll get everything you ever wanted so no matter what happens just keep on dancing and living!
ZAGREB
Our most northern destination and also the only continental location is the capital, Zagreb, but the party is just too good to leave out. If the capital of the country calls, you answer. It starts with urban electronic music and LMF Festival from June 7th to 8th, followed by the INmusic Festival, featuring the event of the season and a grand lineup from June 24th to 26th, showcasing renowned acts such as The National, Röyksopp, Dogstar, and Gossip, to name just a few. So if you are planning to go deeper into the continent, plan your visit to coincide with this bomb. Then it’s time to move a few miles south, to Primišlje, near Slunj, that will host two trance festivals this summer and make you dancing and swinging amongst the trees deep in the forest with psychedelic and goa trance DJs, live acts, and cutting edge visual and experimental art. First is Bear Stone Festival from 04th to 7th July and from 5th to 11th of August it will become a home of Mo:Dem Festival.ISTRIA & KVARNER
We now shift our focus to the Istria and Kvarner region. The Sea Star Festival in Umag will immerse you in sound from May 24th to 25th, transporting you to a fresher and more enjoyable perspective on life with tech house giants Artbat as leading act, followed by Iniko, HS82, Deborah, Joker Out, Buč Kesidi and more TBA.NORTHERN DALMATIA
So we take our journey a bit more south and arrive at Zrće beach on the Island of Pag, the most famous party destination in Croatia often dubbed The Second Ibiza.From Jun 23rd to 27th you’ll be able to enjoy The Hideout festival and find your own shelter from the world with names such as Ammara, Conducta, Eliza Rose, Jakkob, and Sam Divine. Hard techno enthusiasts will converge on Zrće Beach for a new festival in 2024, Verknipt Croatia, running from June 30th to July 4th. Following that, you can join the energetic crowds at Dropzone, a festival for hard dancers, taking place from July 7th to July 12th, featuring DJs such as Braxx, Devin Wild, Sub Zero Project, and Vexxed. The renowned Day & Night Festival returns to Zrće with headliners Maddix, Blasterjaxx, Vida Loca, Tujamo, and DJ Antoine from July 15th to 18th. The party continues with Flamingo Republic from July 29th to August 1st, featuring Tiger Lily, Miles, Da Tweekaz, and Vini Vici. Aug 11th to Aug 15th is reserved for one more edition of Barrakud festival with huge headliners such as Draxx, Gordo, Stella Bossi, and Mau P., while Aug 18th through 22nd is designated for Sonus festival, where you will be greeted by the beats of Archie Hamilton, Camelphat, Chelina Manuchutu, Sam Paganini, and Sven Väth. And to top it all off, there is the Summer Peak extravaganza, happening from August 24th to 31st as the grand finale of the season, promising endless fun, and unforgettable memories.
From Pag we move on to Tisno, an enchantingly wonderful location that is one of the fastest growing and most sought after festival destinations in Croatia. Kicking off the season in style is the Hospitality on the Beach Festival, set to host beloved drum and bass DJs like DJ Hype, Winslow, Dillinja, Eva Lazarus, Hoax, and Elipsa from July 2nd to 9th.
From Jul 10th to 16th prepare your ears for seven days of love and joy at the Love International Festival with the sounds of artists like Alex Kassian, Danielle, Job Jobse, and Piers Harrison. Outlook Origins returns to its roots at Tisno from July 25th to 29th, bringing you the hottest lineup featuring artists like Eva Lazarus, Notion, Madam X, DJ Storm, Introspekt, and Youngsta, with more to be unveiled! This is the ultimate celebration of dubstep, dub & reggae, drum & bass, jungle, and grime under the summer sun! Defected Croatia, famous by bringing together a stellar lineup of main-stage house legends, disco icons, and underground heroes is ready for 2024 (August 1st to 4th) as Phase 1 of the lineup drops, featuring an electrifying roster including The Shapeshifters, Horse Meat Disco, Mousse T, Crazy P Soundsystem, Monki, Masters at Work, Fat Tony, Dimitri from Paris, and many more! Dekmantel Selectors from August 22nd to 26th in a more intimate atmosphere will dance yours feet off to artists like Avalon Emerson, Kampire, SHERELLE, Yu Su and Freddy K.
Dimensions festival from Aug 29th to September 2nd with world class names from house to techno such as Admo, Garret David, Jorg Kuning, and Phone Trexx will round the festival season in Tisno.
Our last stop in the Northern Dalmatia region is Šibenik that brings up the Sea Sound Festival, happening from July 18th to 21st. This unique festival brings together a diverse lineup of internationally renowned dub scene giants and local talents. Vibronics, Paolo Baldini, Deekline, Wicked Dub Division, One Dread, and Dr.Obi meets Anja G, Roo T & Sistah Tena are set to kick off the festivities. With hot summer nights and the pulsating beats of bass, get ready for a dynamic lineup that guarantees plenty of dancing and fun in the magical pine forest overlooking Šibenik. Šibenik will also host the 9th edition of the Membrain Festival, underground bass culture festival from Aug 1st to Aug 4th.
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