Zagreb welcomes the world as 60th International Folklore Festival begins

(Photo: Luka Pešun)

ZAGREB, 16 July 2026 (Croatia Week) – The 60th edition of the International Folklore Festival Zagreb has officially opened, bringing traditional music, dance, costumes and customs from Croatia and around the world to the capital.

The landmark festival began on Wednesday evening with the SmoTRAvno programme at the Mamutica plateau in front of the Travno Cultural Centre, featuring international folklore groups from Taiwan/China, Sicily, the United States, the Czech Republic and Argentina.

Performers included The Joy Dance Culture and Art Group from Taiwan/China, the Città di Aragona folklore group from Sicily, The Cripple Creek Cloggers from Tennessee, the Jasenka Song and Dance Ensemble from Vsetín in the Czech Republic, and KUD Proljeće from Buenos Aires.

Running until 19 July, this year’s festival focuses on the sustainability and resilience of cultural heritage. More than 35 folklore groups are taking part, including groups connected to the first edition of the festival, held in Zagreb in 1966.

Over the coming days, performances will take place at several locations across the city, including the Gradec stage, Ban Jelačić Square and the Zrinjevac Music Pavilion. The programme will also bring traditional culture into the streets through the Folklore Promenade and Pop-up Street Folk Art events in locations including Bogovićeva Street, Zrinjevac and Ban Jelačić Square.

The festival programme features performances by Croatian and international folklore groups, vocal and instrumental ensembles, dance groups, workshops and concerts.

Ansambl song and dance Jasenka – Czechia (Photo: Luka Pešun)

On Thursday, 16 July, Dunja Knebl and Roko Margeta will perform Sako delo konec ima, samo moja ljubav nema at the Zrinjevac Music Pavilion. The concert is based on lesser-known traditional songs from Croatian heritage, arranged for voice and a range of instruments.

The same day will also feature a Folklore Promenade in central Zagreb, while the programme MSF Zagreb izvan Zagreba will bring international folklore groups to Sveta Nedelja.

The central event of the festival will take place on Friday, 17 July, at 9pm on the Gradec stage, with the participation of Croatian folklore groups and groups representing Croats living outside Croatia. The programme will also include groups that performed at the first festival in 1966 and whose intangible cultural heritage has since been entered in Croatia’s Register of Cultural Goods. The event will be broadcast by Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT).

International folklore groups and ensembles will also perform on Friday evening at Ban Jelačić Square and the Zrinjevac Music Pavilion, while the Folklore Promenade will take place in the morning in central Zagreb.

Saturday, 18 July, will feature a full day of activities, including the Folklore Promenade, performances in the city centre, dance workshops for children and adults, and evening concerts at Ban Jelačić Square, the Zrinjevac Music Pavilion and Gradec.

KUD Proljece Argentina (Photo: Luka Pešun)

The MSF Zagreb izvan Zagreba programme will also take place in Donji Andrijevci and Vrbovec.

The festival’s final day on Sunday, 19 July, will include a morning Folklore Promenade, a Mass for festival participants at Zagreb Cathedral, a further MSF Zagreb izvan Zagreba programme in Pleternica, and performances by the ethno band Balkalar and folklore groups at the Zrinjevac Music Pavilion and Gradec.

Citta di Aragona – Sicily (Photo: Luka Pešun)

All festival events are free of charge.

The International Folklore Festival Zagreb has been held since 1966 and is one of Croatia’s most important events dedicated to folklore and traditional culture. It presents and promotes the cultural heritage of Croatian and international participants and continues the tradition of folklore festivals organised by Seljačka Sloga, a cultural, educational and charitable organisation active in Croatia between the two world wars.

The Joy Dance Culture and Art Group (Photo: Luka Pešun)

The festival is part of the wider international movement to preserve cultural heritage, in line with UNESCO-related programmes. In 2014, it was declared a festival of national importance by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb.