Croatians in California to mark 100 years of Fešta Svetog Vlaha

The Croatian community of Northern California will gather in San Jose from 30 January to 1 February 2026 to mark the 100th anniversary of Fešta Svetog Vlaha, the traditional feast honouring St. Blaise, patron saint of Dubrovnik.

The three-day programme combines religious observance, sport, music and community events, reflecting the long-standing Dubrovački tradition within the Croatian diaspora.

All weekend activities will take place at St. Mary of the Assumption Croatian Mission, 901 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose.

The programme begins on Friday, 30 January, with the opening matches of the Sv. Vlaho Soccer Tournament starting at 6:30 pm.

Croatian teams from across North America, including California, Chicago and Vancouver, will take part.

The evening continues with a Pub Night at Willow Den, featuring live music by local klapa group Uvala, with proceeds supporting the parish.

Tournament matches resume on Saturday, 31 January, from 8:00 am, with playoff matches from early afternoon and the championship final scheduled for 4:10 pm.

That evening, a formal banquet will be held at Villa Ragusa in Campbell, with dinner followed by a concert by Sedef from Varaždin. Tournament trophies and individual awards will also be presented.

The celebration concludes on Sunday, 1 February, with Holy Mass and the traditional Blessing of Throats at 11:00 am, followed by a communal lunch at the church grounds.

The centenary celebration is organised by Hrvatsko Dubrovačko Društvo Sveti Vlaho – SF Bay Area, with the Sv. Vlaho Soccer Tournament organised by NK Croatia San Jose.

Those unable to attend can follow tournament updates via Instagram (@nkcroatiasanjose), with matches live-streamed on YouTube.

Marking a full century in San Jose, Fešta Svetog Vlaha remains a key cultural and spiritual gathering for the Croatian community, bringing together generations in the preservation of faith and heritage.