Balkan and Central European gastronomic and cultural events

Regional gastronomic and agricultural festivals are being held or planned across Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Slovakia to promote local products and rural entrepreneurship.

In Croatia, recent programming includes the 28th Fruit Days of Koprivnica-Križevci County and the ‘Novljanski gušti’ manifestation in Novi Vinodolski. In Slavonski Brod, a free guided tour for World Tourism Day is being hosted to focus on cultural heritage and digital integration. Other Croatian events include the Wine Days in Jastrebarsko, which showcases Plešivica wines, and preparations for the traditional Bela nedeja festival in Kastav.

Upcoming Croatian highlights include the 25th anniversary of Gastro Turopolja in Velika Gorica, running from October 1 to October 11. This 11-day program is described as the longest and most diverse to date, featuring workshops, a fair, and new events such as ‘Mali Oktoberfest’, ‘Mini Gastro’, and ‘Srednji Gastro’. Additionally, the Month of Baranja Cuisine will take place throughout October, starting October 3 in Zmajevac with six practical workshops. The 20th Economic Fair of Cheese, Honey, and Porcini Mushrooms is set for November 2026 in Grubišno Polje.

In Serbia, the 14th Vurdijada is scheduled for October 2026 in Babušnica to promote ‘vurda’, a traditional dairy product with protected geographical status.

In Slovenia, the Dolenjska region is promoting active tourism through cycling, hiking, and thermal experiences. In Slovakia, the final weekend of September features the Ružomberský barlatón charity event in Hrabovo and Malinô Brdo, alongside various cultural and musical performances.