Korčula Island’s Half New Year Celebration Tradition this Weekend

Korcula (Photo credit: Ivo Biocina/HTZ)

If you happen to be on the Croatian island of Korčula this weekend you have the opportunity to take part in a tradition which has taken place for close to two decades.

Once again locals and tourists will be seeing in the new (half) year – exactly 6 months into the year.

The ‘Half New Year’s Eve’ has been celebrated on the island on 30 June since 2001, and the tradition is growing from strength to strength each year as the streets in the town turn into one big dance floor.

(Photo: Neven Fazinić)

A masquerade procession pageant parade, attracting hundreds of locals and tourists, takes place around the streets of the gorgeous old town before fireworks, live music and dancing take over the ‘Plokata’ square till the wee small hours of 1 July.

Some events on the island of Korčula in the lead up to the event if you are on the island:

June 27 – Flavours of Korčula – tasting of the island’s homemade products at 7 pm
June 28 – Moreska Sword Dance in Korčula at 9 pm

Moreska

June 29 – St. Peter’s Day Kumpanija Sword Dance at 8:30 pm in Cara
June 30 – Masked group parade through the town of Korčula starts at 8 pm. At midnight the magnificent firework and the party until the dawn.