The best music festivals in Croatia in 2026

The original is still the best. Returning acts and partygoers always come back to Tisno, where Love International is the highlight of any Croatian summer. Carrying the torch of the pioneering Garden festivals that first brought the music to this particularly idyllic part of the Croatian coast, Love International is a 24/7 party over seven long days and nights showcasing some 150+ artists at the classic sites scoped out and adapted by the Garden crew back in 2012. Boat parties, Barbarella’s, sunset sets on the beach, they all started here. Outlook, Defected, Dimensions and the others all owe a debt to the Garden, which also put in place the top-quality sound system and lighting which have facilitated so many events over so many memorable summers since.

Who’s playing? Nightmares on Wax, Enzo Siragusa, Horse Meat Disco

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno

When: July 8-14

For 15 years now, Hideout has been hosting some of the most revered names in electronic music, playing to sell-out crowds at the multi-stage Zrće site and boat parties from Novalja, occasionally teaming up with BBC Radio 1 to broadcast to those who didn’t get in early enough to snag a ticket. Stamina is the key here, to keep up with the relentless fun over four packed days and nights. Bungee jumping, quad biking and jet skiing are among the extracurricular activities within easy reach of the site.

Who’s playing? Interplanetary Criminal, Paul Woolford, Ewan McVicar

Where: Zrće, Novalja

When: June 30-July 3

The sixth edition of Outlook Origins which began as an Adriatic outlier of Leeds event SubDub in 2008, this quality bass-music fest has always had a strong British connection. Moving from Fort Punta Christo near Pula and its tunnel parties to Tisno in 2020, Outlook still champions UK soundsystems while providing its many regulars with all the benefits of the sea-facing Garden Resort. Boat party tickets go on sale from March 2.

Who’s playing? Goldie, Introspekt, Silkie

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno

When: July 23-27

Now in its tenth year, Defected Croatia brings house heads together at The Garden Resort, Tisno, for four days and five nights of quality DJs, afterparties, boat parties and daily yoga sessions to balance out the hedonism. Arguably the most musically diverse of Croatia’s beach festivals, DC is keen to promote up-and-coming talent while offering its loyal returning partygoers the underground favourites they cross Europe for. Linked to the legendary London label of the same name.

Who’s playing? Carl Craig, Oden & Fatzo, Groove Armada

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno

When: July 29-August 2

Some of the biggest names in the business have trod the boards by this pretty lake in south-west Zagreb, accessible by tram from the city’s main square. Since 2006, Arcade Fire, New Order and Franz Ferdinand have all trod the boards as improved facilities and attractions have helped earn INmusic three annual NME nominations for best fests. You can swim, cycle or rollerblade by day before letting loose after dark. On-site camping available.

Who’s playing? Jack White, Gorillaz, Kings of Leon, The Flaming Lips

Where: Lake Jarun, Zagreb

When: June 22-24

Three is the magic number for Terminal V Croatia, decamping from Edinburgh to idyllic Dalmatia for its third and biggest-ever edition this July. One sea-lapped site comprising five locations – think Beach Stage, Olive Grove and a sailboat on the Adriatic – host 80+ acts over five days and nights. Yes, location, location, location, but also expertly curated electronica brought to Croatia’s prime partying retreat by two savvy Scots in the festival game since 2017. 

Who’s playing? Restricted, 999999999, Mall Grab, Hannah Laing

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno

When: July 16-20

Wave goodbye to summer at Dimensions, an offshoot of the long-established Outlook. Like its sister event, Dimensions moved from Fort Punta Christo after one last dance party in 2019, to make The Garden Resort’s Tisno site its own just as Croatia melts into another gorgeous September. As per Outlook, Dimensions pushes UK talent to the fore but also showcases interesting acts from continental Europe, granted a setting second-to-none.

Who’s playing? Exit Planet Earth, John Talabot, Moritz von Oswald

Where: The Garden Resort, Tisno

When: August 27-31

Mixing mythology, music, mystery and history, the two-day odyssey of Gates of Agartha is a magical escape to an ancient world, backdropped by a contemporary soundtrack on the melodic house and techno spectrum. This former quarry from Roman times outside the historic city of Pula – with its own near-intact Colosseum, built from this stone – was the site chosen by the team behind the Echoes from Agartha experience in Cappadocia in 2023. Pula was the first of their offshoot destinations. While the line-up for 2026 has yet to be announced, on offer are a two-day festival pass or a full experience package involving four nights in a decent hotel nearby.

Who’s playing? TBC

Where: Cave Romane, Vinkuran, Pula

When: June 5-6

Always the first to usher in festival season in Croatia, Sea Star plays out over three days in Umag, at the country’s north-western corner beside the Slovenian border. Overlooking the Stella Maris beach and lake resort, Sea Star also makes use of the mobile homes and holiday apartments otherwise rented out to holidaymakers all summer. The line-up is usually pretty strong – Prodigy, Wu-Tang-Clan and Sven Väth are past guests – and many come over from Italy and Slovenia.

Who’s playing? Xzibit, Boris Brejcha, Layla Benítez

Where: Stella Maris Resort, Umag

When: May 28-31

Held in a sports stadium close to the centre of Split for three days every summer, Ultra Europe has showcased the likes of David Guetta, Carl Cox and Martin Garrix in its decade or more of activity, playing to a usually younger, urban up-for-it crowd. Boat parties are laid on, too, the Adriatic being close by, as is the atmospheric ruined Roman palace that comprises the heart of Split, Croatia’s second city.

Who’s playing? TBC

Where: Park Mladeži, Split

When: July 10-12