Zagreb, a city that captivates: culture, music and sport all year long

Throughout the year, Zagreb brings new experiences – from light installations and open-air concerts, through jazz nights and summer festivals, to prestigious sports competitions that attract visitors from all over the world.

Every spring Zagreb Festival of Lights brings the city streets, squares and parks to life, turning them into a luminous fairytale that enchants visitors from Croatia and around the globe.
In early summer, Zagreb Classic open-air festival transforms the King Tomislav Square into a magical stage under the starry skies, treating everyone to first-class music out in the open. The audience enjoys free concerts by world-renowned musicians, while the unique atmosphere fuses the music, the city and togetherness into an unforgettable summer moment. The festival is well-known internationally as well: the City of Vienna praises it as one of the most popular open-air classical festivals in Europe, the Live.WorldTourismForum.net portal in cooperation with World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) describes it as a "must-experience cultural event". These endorsements boost its reputation – Zagreb Classic is not merely a festival, but a powerful promoter of the cultural tourism and recognizable musical identity of Zagreb and Croatia.

In December, Zagreb is a true Christmas fairytale. Advent Zagreb wins the hearts of its visitors with a plethora of Christmas markets, lighting decorations and abundant cultural programs. Furthermore, Zagreb has been declared the best Christmas destination in Europe for three years in a row, and even today reputable global portals and media outlets such as CNN, Forbes, The Independent and many others regularly recommend it as a must-visit Christmas destination.

Zagreb on big screen

In the course of the year, Zagreb offers a wide range of cinematic, musical and artistic events that position it as a regional hub of culture and creativity. The season opens with ZagrebDox (19–26 April), an international documentary film festival. Summer brings Animafest (8–13 June), one of the oldest animation festivals in the world, gathering the best authors and studies from across the globe, and it is a key platform in the promotion of animation art and innovative techniques, as well as an indispensable meeting spot for authors and audiences. The season closes with Zagreb Film Festival (9–15 November), the biggest film festival in Croatia. ZFF shows a diverse program, combining top international titles with home talent, asserting Zagreb's status as a dynamic city of film.

Summer in Zagreb

Warm summer months bring vibrant atmosphere to the city streets, where locals and visitors meet at art performances and festivals. Cest is d’Best in June celebrates city culture and street art, while Okolo//Around in August turns the city into an open-air gallery. Hang out, enjoy music and dance under the open sky – from jazz, swing and classical to tango, salsa and waltz – this is what Dance Parties at Zrinjevac Park are all about.

Grič Evenings feature classical and jazz music as well as smaller-scale theatrical and dance performances in the historical ambiance of the Upper Town, creating an intimate experience, while Amadeo Scene offers added cultural diversity through concerts, performances and multimedia programs. The Zagreb International Folklore Festival in July gathers ensembles from all over the world, while Zagreb Museum Weekend – MUV in September opens up museums and galleries for special programs, making Zagreb an exciting summer destination.

Music shows and concerts

All year long, Zagreb offers music to every taste – from jazz and funk to indie, rock and spectacular open-air concerts.
Top Croatian and international jazz artists regularly appear in Zagreb, in clubs, concert halls and out in the open, contributing to the wealth of the city's musical and cultural scene. The lineup of the 18th INmusic Festival (22–24 June) includes international stars such as Manic Street Preachers, Kings of Leon, Jack White, Gorillaz and others. Artists on big solo tours will not miss Zagreb either: SRC Šalata will host Empire of the Sun (10 June), The Offspring (14 June) and A Perfect Circle (16 June), Arena Zagreb will see Eros Ramazzotti (28 April), Sting (17 June) and Marilyn Manson (16 July), while Black Eyed Peas will thrill their fans at Bundek Lake (26 June).

Spectacular shows like K-POP FOREVER! (20 and 21 March) and Lord of the Dance (25 March) will leave us breathless with their energy and choreography, and Sarah Brightman – A Winter Symphony (22 November) will provide that classical music magic.

Besides culture, Zagreb is a focal point for sporting events. The city regularly hosts traditional events such as the Boris Hanžeković Memorial (26 –28 June) and Zagreb Marathon (11 October), and in 2026 it will host the Beach Handball Championship (23 –28 June), European Gymnastics Championships (August) and numerous international competitions, confirming its status as a top sporting destination and offering its visitors some unforgettable experiences.

All event info is available at infozagreb.hr

Zagreb, a city that captivates: culture, music and sport all year long

Throughout the year, Zagreb brings new experiences – from light installations and open-air concerts, through jazz nights and summer festivals, to prestigious sports competitions that attract visitors from all over the world.

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