Croatia kick‑starts summer with International Folklore Festival in Velika Gorica and medieval fair in Privlaka

The 25th International Folklore Festival opened in Velika Gorica on 10 July 2026 and ran through 11 July at Park dr. Franje Tuđmana. The free‑entry event featured performances by Croatia’s own Folklore Ensemble “Turopolje” and international groups from Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Poland, with a program of concerts, award presentations and cultural displays.

From 10 July to 17 July 2026, the town of Privlaka hosted the IX Paški medieval fair, celebrating the region’s historic fishing and soap‑making industries. The fair combined heritage exhibitions with a gastronomy project that offered traditional dishes at five local restaurants, highlighting local ingredients such as sardines, salted anchovies, beans, and island‑aged pork. Organised by the municipality, the tourism board and supported by the Zadar County, the event aimed to promote the area’s cultural identity and attract visitors.

Both festivals were part of Croatia’s summer cultural programme, showcasing regional traditions and drawing tourists to the country’s coastal and inland heritage sites.