June 13, 2026 – Hvar, the island of culture, is about to welcome the 65th edition of its beloved Hvar Summer Festival.
The grand opening of the 65th anniversary edition of the Hvar Summer Festival will take place on Sunday, June 21, exactly on World Music Day, starting at 8:00 PM on the impressive St. Stephen’s Square, the heart of the town of Hvar, which will be transformed into a unique open-air stage under the stars for the occasion.
The evening will begin with a performance by the Hvar Brass Band, which will present timeless evergreen classics from its rich repertoire—songs that have marked generations.
The main programme starts at 9:30 PM, when the façade of the Loggia will be illuminated by a 3D video mapping show created by acclaimed multimedia artist Ivan Marušić Klif.
The light projections will be accompanied by a performance by the Festival Orchestra, creating a unique audiovisual experience in the historic centre of Hvar. Joining the orchestra will be soloists Dubravka Šeparović Mušović (mezzo-soprano), Roko Radovan (tenor), and Borna Buger (violin). The programme will feature works by Bizet, Offenbach, Saint-Saëns, Gotovac, and de Curtis.
This event officially marks the beginning of a summer filled with a rich cultural programme that, over the course of three months, will bring together renowned Croatian and international artists and offer audiences unforgettable artistic experiences through exhibitions, classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, and dance productions.
In Hvar, summer is not defined only by the sun and the sea—it comes alive through music, theatre, dance, and unforgettable artistic moments.
A Summer of Outstanding Concerts and Performing Arts
This year’s programme presents a diverse lineup of concerts and performances by Croatian and regional artists representing various musical genres. Festival stages will welcome Damirov Django Group, Rambo Amadeus, Josipa Lisac, Pips, Chips & Videoclips, Jasna Zlokić, and Tomislav Bralić & Klapa Intrade. Lovers of ethnic and traditional music will enjoy performances by Dunije and Kries in the enchanting setting of stone hamlet Malo Grablje.
The beauty of classical music will be showcased by pianist Jan Niković, one of the most talented young artists on the Croatian music scene, who will perform in the Loggia.
A special highlight of the programme is the Surprise Concert—an evening filled with music and the magic of a July night. The identity of the performer will remain a secret until the very last moment, but one thing is certain: an unforgettable experience awaits beneath the starry sky. Boat transportation from Hvar Harbour will be organised for all visitors, and the short journey to Galešnik Island will serve as a prelude to an evening that brings together the sea, music, and summer.
The festival will also present contemporary performing arts programmes, including the dance projects Panopticon and Lucid Absurdities, as well as One for All, a new, dynamic and humorous adaptation of The Three Musketeers, and The Birdcage, a boulevard comedy featuring an intriguing plot and a colourful gallery of characters.
Alongside its music and theatre programme, the Hvar Summer Festival will once again offer a rich exhibition programme. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore works by Croatian and international artists through exhibitions by Andrea Musa, Tončica Jelača Marijančević, Helena Schultheis Edgeler, Zoran Miliša and Flora Novak.
A Festival That Shapes the Identity of the Town
Over its 65-year history, the Hvar Summer Festival has grown into an important cultural platform that annually brings together artists, audiences, and visitors from Croatia and abroad. The combination of art, a historic setting, and Mediterranean atmosphere will once again transform Hvar into one of the Adriatic’s premier cultural summer destinations.
Tickets for festival events are available through the Adriaticket.com platform, while additional information about the programme can be found on the official websites of the festival and the Hvar 1612 Public Cultural Institution.
