Istria is one of the most interesting regions in Croatia which, in addition to natural beauty and cultural sights, offers a rich program of festivals and events throughout the year that its visitors can enjoy. From gastronomic specialties such as truffles or local wine, to renowned music and film festivals, Istria offers a handful of activities for all generations.

Events in Istria 2023

The most popular events in Istria include the Asparagus Festival in spring and the Truffle Festival in autumn when the aromatic smells of these gastronomic specialties spread throughout the region. In addition, famous film festivals such as the Motovun Film Festival and the Pula Film Festival bring together numerous domestic and foreign film stars. In the summer, the most numerous are music festivals, such as the Lighthouse Festival in Poreč or the Sea Star Festival in Umag. We bring you some of the most interesting Istria events this year that you should not miss.

Rijeka Carnival

The carnival madness that takes place in February, every year provides one day of the year when the world is turned upside down. This is an event for which the city of Rijeka is known not only in Croatia but also in the wider region. The Rijeka Carnival has become the most famous Carnival in Croatia and is visited by numerous masked processions every year. This event takes place on the city's main street named Korzo.

Photo: Diana Kumst, Unsplash

Asparagus Festival in Istria (Croatia)

All lovers of asparagus, a bitter specialty of Istria, will surely enjoy the Asparagus Festival, a unique event that every spring enriches the gastronomic offer of Istria. These wild Mediterranean treasures are one of the most valued foods of the Mediterranean. This year, the Asparagus Festival in Istria takes place in April throughout this region. For example, in Rovinj you will be able to enjoy this specialty at the Weekend Food Festival from April 14 to 16, and in Lovran the main event of 22nd Asparagus Festival will take place on April 15.

Photo: Markus Spiske, Unsplash

Rovinj Photodays

Rovinj photodays is a wonderful art event, which this year includes an exhibition of numerous international artists from the Netherlands, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Slovenia, Russia and Ukraine. Photodays Rovinj includes selected authors from 28 countries with a total of 3200 applied photos for this year's competition. The expert jury selected the 18 best works, and the exhibition of these finalists will be shown at the festival in Rovinj on May 5 and 6. The Grand Prix of the festival will be announced at the Island Hotel Istra at the closing evening on May 6.

Lighthouse Festival in Poreč (Croatia)

The Lighthouse Festival, which takes place every year in the beautiful surroundings of the untouched nature of Poreč, is a real musical paradise that unites music, art and nature. The festival annually visits more than 5000 music lovers, includes a diverse range of musical styles from electronic, hip hop to indie rock music. This year, the festival takes place from 25th to 29th of May in small place next to Poreč called Tar.

Croatian Summer Salsa Festival in Rovinj

If you want to experience the best dancing holidays of your lifetime you must visit Croatian summer salsa festival in Rovinj. Croatian Summer Salsa Festival brings together sensual dance movements and good vibes in the wonderful locations of Rovinj. In 2023. Festival will take place from 12th to 19th of June. Be part of this unique event where best dance teachers will provide you unforgettable experience of salsa dance movements.

Photo: Ardian Lumi, Unsplash

Robbie Williams in Pula (2023)

The world-famous musician Robbie Williams is performing his greatest hits in Pula this year, where he will hold two concerts. One of the world's greatest pop artists will enrich the program of the Pula arena this year, and the concerts will be held on June 27 and 28, 2023. “Tour XXV” for Robbie Williams in Croatia represents 25 years of musical career for this artist and it will take place on the marvelous two-thousand-year-old stage of the amphitheatre in Pula.

Pula Film Festival 2023

The Film Festival Pula is one of the oldest film festivals in Europe and the world, and every year it brings a number of the most successful films to the stage of the Pula Arena. In 2023, the Pula Film Festival will be held from July 15 to 23, and the main competition program consists of feature-length films.

Croatia Open Tennis in Umag

For all tennis fans, summer brings Croatia Open Tennis, the most famous tennis tournament in Croatia I region. Croatia Open Umag is part of the ATP World Tour 250 series, which has been held in this Istrian city since 1990. This year, the tournament will be held from July 24 to 30, which will be accompanied by a Gourmet event.

Photo: Moises Alex, Unsplash

Festivals in Istria 2023

Magical Istria is known for various festivals that gather numerous visitors every year. Festival Istria includes gastronomic, art, music or film festivals. In the beautiful setting of the magical landscape, Istria offers its visitors a variety of Istria Festival programs that they can enjoy throughout the year.

Sea Star Festival in Umag

The Sea Star Festival is a well-known music festival that this year brings to Umag world-renowned music stars such as The Prodigy, Mahmut Orhan and others. The fifth edition of the Sea Star Festival takes place in the Stella Maris lagoon in Umag. The program will be held on May 19 and 20, when numerous musical stars will perform on the main stage.

Motovun Film Festival

The summer film stage of the picturesque town of Motovun in the centre of Istria is known for its independent and short artistic film productions. The Motovun Film Festival, which has been held since 1999, every summer shows feature and short fiction and documentary films. The 26th edition of the Motovun festival this year takes place from July 22 to 29 in the rich ambience of this medieval town.

Photo: Lothar Boris, Unsplash

Vinistra Wine Festival in Poreč

Istria is known for some of the best varieties of local wines, as evidenced by the endless fields of vineyards that adorn this entire region. In Poreč, at the Vinistra Wine Festival, you can taste some of the best varieties of wine, but also other local food and wine specialties such as brandy, olive oil, cheese, prosciutto or honey. The 29th International wine exhibition Vinistra includes guided tastings, presentations and thematic meetings that will be held from May 5 to 7. this year.

Zigante Truffle days in Livade

The traditional gastronomic event Zigante truffle days, where truffles, the underground jewels of Istria, are the main theme is held every weekend in October, during the truffle hunting season. Zigante truffle festival takes place in the very centre of Istria, in the valley of the river Mirna, in Livade and the Motovun forest, where this bitter specialty is naturally found.

Chestnut festival in Oprtalj

In a small town called Oprtalj in Istria, every year at the beginning of the summer the Chestnut Festival takes place. An event dedicated to chestnut products includes various chestnut-based cakes and desserts. Chestnut festivity is also accompanied by an interesting children's and entertainment program.