Carnival
February
A week-long Mardi Gras-style celebration complete with brass bands, masked balls and noisy parades, traditionally ending with a mammoth part at Revelin Fort. Its roots stretch back to the 14th century.
Festival of St Blaise
February
Marked to commemorate Dubrovnik’s patron saint, the Festival of St Blaise combines religious observances with traditional costumes and a spirit of revelry. The relics of Saint Blaise himself are paraded along Stradun, the main street in the Old Town.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival
July-August
Held every summer, this is the longest-running cultural festival in Croatia, showcasing theatre, opera, dance, classical music and all manner of other performances. International names often feature on the schedule.
Wild League
July-August
Running since 1983, this water polo tournament is the focal point of the city’s passion for the sport. It usually involves more than 50 separate clubs, with matches held over the course of several weeks off Dubrovnik’s beaches.
New Year’s Eve
31 December
Dubrovnik’s Stradun (main street) comes alive with late-night parties as each New Year rolls around, with the Old Town’s picturesque setting lending itself well to a memorable celebration. It’s usually less chilly than many other parts of Europe, too.