Events and Festivals

Montenegro’s events and festivals showcase its rich cultural tapestry, from coastal carnivals to mountain races, offering vibrant celebrations year-round that blend tradition with modern entertainment.

Kotor’s Festive Calendar

Each 3rd of February, Kotor celebrates the day of St. Tryphon, the town’s patron saint. This celebration, which started 12 centuries ago, stretches for days, infusing the whole town with festive spirit. While bells from the cathedral and basilica solemnly ring, the proud Boka Navy performs an original routine at the city square—lining up and reporting. Jovial traditional town music walks down the streets, and Boka Navy members, dressed in beautiful black costumes with golden embroidery, perform their dance. Exalted Mass, a procession, and performances by church choirs are only part of the celebration.

The Kotor Winter Carnival features an array of events, including a traditional masked ball, dance of the majorettes, children’s carnival, promotion of local cuisine, and concerts. When Kotor organizes this carnival, it attracts several thousand additional people, gathering locals, Montenegrins, and Europeans alike.

Days of Camellia honors the beautiful camellia flower, brought from the Far East to Stoliv, which decorates almost all gardens in Boka Bay. This event includes exhibitions of flowers, art exhibitions, theater performances, workshops in nature, a “Ball of Camellia,” and the election of the Lady of Camellia, usually a socially engaged woman. Consequently, it gathers a large number of cultural workers, flower admirers, and camellia growers.

Other notable events and festivals in Kotor include:

  • Festival of the Underwater Film: Held in a Kotor square, featuring movies filmed in the depths of the world’s seas and oceans.
  • International Festival of Children’s Theaters: Offers plays for children on open stages in the Old Town.
  • International Summer Carnival: In August, everyone wears masks to join a colorful and jovial crowd.
  • Boka Night: Features boats in disguise cruising the harbor with cheerful music and fireworks.
  • International Fashion Festival: A two-day event gathering fashion designers from Montenegro and abroad.
  • Pro Kotor Arte: A fusion of diverse artistic expressions blending local music heritage with modern sound.

Budva’s Vibrant Celebrations

Budva loves festivities, carnivals, fishermen’s gatherings, and cheerful crowds. Visit during the Spring Masked Ball, an international carnival that attracts many visitors from the region. When the carnival starts, Old City bars come alive, squares turn into concert stages, and the procession includes participants from around the world. Children have their own small international masked parade, with smiling faces behind every mask.

The Sea Dance Festival has hosted top international music stars like The Prodigy and Jamiroquai. It is voted the best European medium-sized festival. Moreover, fans chill out on Budva Riviera’s beach, celebrating life to the rhythm of favorite performers and DJs.

Other events and festivals in Budva include:

  • The Fair of Montenegrin Souvenirs: Held at Hotel Tara in Becici, offering a wide range of keepsakes with Montenegrin motifs.
  • Theater City: A token of theater life on the Montenegrin coast during summer, running from July to mid-August.
  • Petrovac Jazz Fest: In late August, featuring jazz and blues musicians with workshops and audience interactions.

Herceg Novi’s Cultural Highlights

The Mimosa Festival celebrates the mimosa tree, a symbol of freedom and love that flowers in February. During this two-week event, a wind orchestra plays and marches with majorettes. Local ladies fry fish on streets and squares, while masked balls and parades are organized at every corner. Artists exhibit fine art and sculptures, and the festival ends with the burning of a doll representing evil spirits. Indeed, this loving celebration is contagious and fun.

Other events and festivals in Herceg Novi include:

  • HAPS (Herceg Novi April Theater Festivities): Gathers theaters from the region, growing from a small event to a trendy gathering.
  • Days of Music: An International Classic Music Festival held in July at the Park Hall.
  • Entrance Festival of Electronic Music: Features leading European DJs in a lively ambiance at Rose.
  • Herceg Novi Film Festival: Held at a magnificent location, gathering film authors and actors from Europe.

Other Notable Events Across Montenegro

In Tivat, Youth Day on May 25th celebrates Yugoslavia’s former president Tito’s birthday, revoking the spirit of past days with songs, pictures, and concerts. Tivat’s Cultural Summer in July and August features theater plays, concerts, and exhibitions. The Boćanje Olympics, a Mediterranean sport similar to bowling, is held annually in open terrains, allowing participation or spectating.

In Bar, Vladimir’s Cross involves a procession to Rumija’s top in May, symbolizing unity and respect for diversity. Bar’s Chronicle is a festival with theater plays, exhibitions, and concerts scattered throughout the city. The Swimming Marathon in August tests endurance in a 5 km race from Sutomore to Bar. Days of Mrkojevici in late July exhibits tradition and heritage with folklore and gastronomic experiences.

In Ulcinj, the Summer Stage in the Old Town during July and August hosts theater plays, concerts, and exhibitions. In Podgorica, Podgorica’s Cultural Summer turns the city into a stage with numerous events. FIAT (Festival of International Alternative Theaters) gathers troupes from Southeast Europe, offering unique performances.

In Cetinje, Summer in the Old Royal Capital from mid-June to late July features folklore exhibitions, concerts, and fairs. The Hill Car Races in July offer an international competition on a steep and narrow track. In Žabljak, the Golden Eagle of Durmitor in March is a high-quality alpine skiing competition. The Durmitor Ring Cycling Race is an eight-hour international recreational race through beautiful mountain landscapes.

In Bijelo Polje, the Lim Regatta at the end of May or beginning of June gathers rafters and nature lovers for a 130-kilometer rafting adventure on the Lim River.