May the 26th, 2026 – Zagreb City Day is fast approaching, and the quirky Croatian capital is set to celebrate with music, art, and free city tours.
May the 31st marks Zagreb City Day. What better way could there be to pass the time on a Sunday than enjoying a programme to celebrate the Croatian capital city? It is a city that has transitioned multiple times and worn many a hat, now being discovered by visitors from far and wide keen to experience the country’s character away from the traditional sunshine and sea image.
let’s dive into zagreb’s long (and turbulent) history
Before we get into what’s on offer this year, let’s delve into just a bit of Zagreb’s very long history.
Turning the pages of the history book backwards, we’ll notice multiple significant dates. There are too many to delve into, but there are two that need to be noted. First, we need to go firstly to 1094, when the Zagreb diocese was established in Kaptol, and then fast-forward a little to 1242, when the Golden Bull was issued by King Béla IV of Hungary and Croatia. The former king granted the settlement of Gradec (an ancient hilltop settlement that eventually became part of the City of Zagreb’s formation as we know it today) the status of a free royal city when Europe was overrun during the Mongol invasion. It resulted in much greater self-governance and autonomy for Gradec, on which Zagreb’s (later) civic identity became largely based.
why may the 31st?
Fast-forwarding further, we’ll eventually land on the 31st of May, 1731. It was on this date that a painting of the city’s divine patron Our Lady of the Stone Gate miraculously survived a large fire. In memory of this event, there is an annual candlelit procession carrying the painting of Our Lady of the Stone Gate starting from the Cathedral, moving across Ban Josip Jelačić Square, via Radićeva Street, with the final stop is at the Stone Gate and the votive chapel.
Of course, since then, the Croatian capital has donned the glossy pages of all sorts of international travel mags as one of Europe’s top new city breaks, finding a place for itself on Croatia’s increasingly popular tourism map.
a celebration of zagreb, from 1242 to the present day
In cooperation with its partners, the Zagreb Tourist Board (TZGZ) has been busy preparing a rich and abundant programme for residents and visitors alike. Visitors can expect all sorts of cultural, musical and tourist events at various city locations, from a dance party in the atrium of the Klovićevi dvori Gallery and free exhibitions to organised city tours and excursions to Medvednica, the city’s mountainous “lungs”.
The Klovićevi dvori Gallery will host a programme called Dance in the Gallery. Quite unlike what you might expect from an art gallery, it will be a dance party beginning at 19:00 with a performance by the Tango Appassionato band with tenor Tvrtko Stipić, who will perform Zagreb classics. From 20:30 onwards, the Louise band will entertain the audience with a pop dance repertoire. In addition to the aforementioned, visitors will be able to view the current exhibitions of the Klovićevi dvori Gallery for free throughout the day – the 8th Biennial of Painting (2nd floor), The Artist’s Castle in the Sky of Clouds (1st floor), and In the Beginning Was a Drawing (basement).
“Zagreb City Day is an opportunity to celebrate the identity, creativity and birthday of Zagreb together, and the Dance in the Gallery programme, which we’re organising with the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery in their atrium, will combine music, art and socialising in this unique setting in a special way. I believe that many Zagreb residents and visitors will enjoy the content we’ve prepared, and I’d like to sincerely congratulate all of Zagreb’s residents on the Day of our City,” said the director of the Zagreb Tourist Board, Martina Bienenfeld.
medvednica is perhaps the best way to see (all of) zagreb at once!
For lovers of nature and active holidays, a half-day excursion “Above Zagreb” to Medvednica is also being organised. The programme includes a tram ride and a Sljeme cable car ride, a tour of Brestovac and the Sljeme 360 viewpoint, and a break with traditional Zagreb štrukli. The departure is scheduled for 10:00 in front of the monument to Ban Jelačić in the main square. The excursion lasts five hours, will be conducted in Croatian, and applications are accepted via e-mail: hello@exploremorecroatia.com until the group is full.
The programme of celebration for Zagreb City Day this year will, as usual, include numerous free city tours. It should be noted that most of these will be conducted in Croatian, though there are English options!
Street art in Novi Zagreb
Tourist bike ride with participation with your own bike
Departure time and place: 10:30, Rotor Savski Gaj
Registration: sokre1973@gmail.com
The Vranyczanys and their legacy to Zagreb
Departure time and place: 11:00, Ilirski trg
Registration: gordana.skeljo4@gmail.com
Zagreb Green Walk – Maksimir
Departure time and place: 10:00, main entrance to Maksimir
Registration: kristina.andrei@gmail.com
Walk through Kaptol and Gradec
Departure time and place: 18:00, Manduševac
Registration: marija.tizic@gmail.com
free tours conducted in english
Walk through Kaptol and Gradec
Time and place: 18:00, Manduševac
Registration: marija.tizic@gmail.com
In addition to the aforementioned programmes, residents and visitors can expect plenty other events during this year’s Zagreb City Day, including the celebration of the 30th edition of the Cest is d’Best festival, the Changing of the Guard of the Honorary Company of the Kravat Regiment, the ZET Musical Control, and all kinds of cultural, entertainment, and tourist activities.
The entire program of the Zagreb City Day celebration is available here.
It should be noted that in case of bad weather, the outdoor programmes will unfortunately need to be cancelled.
