The beginning of June in the Croatian metropolis traditionally brings an explosion of flavors, sounds, and good vibes, and the epicenter of these events is located in the green heart of the city. For all true lovers of premium beer and quality urban music, Zagreb Beer Fest represents an unmissable event that year after year confirms its status as one of the most anticipated open-air festivals. Ahead of us is the eighth edition of this popular event, which will be held from Thursday, June 5th, to Sunday, June 8th, 2025, once again transforming the spacious Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana into a vibrant oasis of hedonism.

This festival is not just an opportunity for beer tasting; it is a complete experience that celebrates the culture of craft brewing, gathers a diverse audience, and offers free concerts by renowned musical names. Four days dedicated to socializing, discovering new beer styles, and enjoying live performances make this event the perfect introduction to the summer season in Zagreb.

A Dizzying Offer of Beer: A Paradise for Beer Lovers

What sets Zagreb Beer Fest apart is its impressive and carefully curated selection of beers. Visitors can expect a real beer adventure with more than 180 different types of beer available for tasting. This number itself testifies to the diversity and richness of the offer that satisfies the tastes of both long-time beer connoisseurs and those just discovering the charms of this popular beverage.

At the stands, you will find products from large, established breweries, whose beers are well known to the general public, but the real focus of the festival lies in promoting the growing and extremely dynamic Croatian craft scene. Small, independent breweries from Zagreb and the rest of Croatia will present their best creations, offering a unique opportunity to get acquainted with innovative and bold approaches to brewing. Craft beers, produced with an emphasis on ingredient quality, flavor authenticity, and brewing passion, have experienced a real boom in Croatia over the last ten years, and Zagreb Beer Fest is the ideal platform for their presentation.

Visitors will be able to choose from a wide range of styles: from refreshing lagers and easy-drinking pilsners, through popular pale ales (APA) and rich India Pale Ales (IPA) in various variations (Session IPA, New England IPA, Double IPA), to dark and complex stouts and porters. There will be no shortage of wheat beers, fruit beers, sour beers, as well as seasonal specials prepared just for this occasion. Each brewery brings its unique signature, whether it's classic interpretations of styles or bold experiments with hops, malt, and yeast. For those looking for something different, popular hard seltzers will likely also be on offer.

Croatian Craft Revolution in Action

The festival mirrors the fascinating development of the Croatian craft beer scene, which has grown from humble beginnings about ten years ago into a respectable industry. Numerous small breweries, often started out of the enthusiasm of home brewers, today produce world-class beers, winning awards and recognition. Zagreb Beer Fest gives them the opportunity to reach a wider audience and showcase the diversity and creativity that defines domestic craft brewing. Visitors can thus directly support local producers and discover new favorite flavors, far from the uniformity of industrial production.

Music Stage: The Festival's Soundtrack

Alongside beer, music is the second key element of Zagreb Beer Fest. The festival is known for its high-quality and diverse music program, which is completely free for all visitors. Over four days, the large stage in Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana will host numerous solo artists and bands, covering a wide spectrum of urban music genres.

We can expect performances by proven names from the domestic rock, pop, and hip-hop scenes, but also the opportunity to discover new, promising musicians. The program is designed to satisfy different musical tastes, creating an energetic and positive atmosphere that lasts from the afternoon hours until late at night. In previous years, the stage has featured some of the most significant names in regional music, such as TBF, Vojko V, PipsChips&Videoclips, Daleka obala, Hladno Pivo, Urban&4, Edo Maajka, Krankšvester, Silente, Kawasaki 3P, and many others, guaranteeing a high level of musical experience at the upcoming edition as well.

The combination of great live music and relaxed outdoor socializing creates the unique charm of the festival. The audience can freely circulate between the beer stands, the food zone, and the area in front of the stage, enjoying top performances under the open sky.

Gastronomic Corner: Flavors That Accompany Beer

No festival is complete without good food, and Zagreb Beer Fest does not disappoint in this regard. Along with the rich beer offer, visitors can expect a diverse selection of gastronomic delicacies that perfectly complement the beer experience. The organizers strive to provide a varied range of flavors, from classic festival food to slightly more refined bites.

Food trucks and food stalls will offer popular dishes such as juicy burgers prepared in various ways, tasty pulled pork/beef sandwiches, various types of grilled meats, crispy fries, and other street food specialties. An offer is expected that can satisfy different preferences, including options for those looking for something spicier or specific flavors, such as offerings inspired by Asian or Mexican cuisine. Attention is also paid to food and beer pairing, so more experienced visitors will be able to experiment with flavor combinations, finding the ideal bite to go with their chosen beer style.

Venue: Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana

Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana, located relatively close to the city center, has proven to be an ideal location for hosting such a large open-air event. Its spaciousness allows for the accommodation of numerous stands, a large stage, and receiving a large number of visitors, while maintaining a sense of comfort and space for movement. The park is easily accessible by public transport, and its green area provides a pleasant ambiance for all-day socializing.

During the festival, the park transforms into a lively festival hub, filled with stands, colorful lights, music, and the buzz of thousands of people. Its role as a venue for popular city events, such as Zagreb Beer Fest or Wine Town (Vinski grad), confirms its importance as a key point in the social and cultural life of Zagreb.

Festival Experience and Attendance

Zagreb Beer Fest is not just about beer and music; it is primarily a social event. The festival attracts an extremely large number of visitors, with previous editions recording over 15,000 to 20,000 people in a single evening. This massive attendance testifies to the popularity of the concept and the quality of the offer. The atmosphere is always relaxed, friendly, and full of positive energy, making it an ideal place to hang out with friends, meet new people, and simply enjoy the early summer evenings.

The success of the festival lies in the carefully balanced combination of a top-notch beer selection, an attractive and free music program, and an excellent location and organization. It has become an unmissable spot on Zagreb's event map and a kind of ritual for many city residents and their guests.

Planning Your Visit and Accommodation in Zagreb

Given the great popularity of Zagreb Beer Fest, visitors coming from outside Zagreb are advised to plan their accommodation in advance. Fortunately, Zagreb offers an extremely wide range of accommodation capacities that can meet different needs and budgets.

Near Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana, as well as in the wider city center, there are numerous hotels of various categories available, from more affordable options to luxury accommodation facilities of well-known chains. For younger visitors or those looking for more affordable accommodation, hostels are an excellent choice, many of which are located in the center and surrounding areas, offering both private rooms and beds in dormitories. An increasingly popular option is private accommodation in the form of apartments or rooms that can be found via online platforms. These options often offer greater flexibility and a feeling of staying at home.

When choosing accommodation, it is worth considering proximity to public transport (tram lines) which allows easy access to Park Dr. Franje Tuđmana from almost all parts of the city. Early booking, especially if you plan to arrive for the weekend during the festival, is a smart decision to secure your desired accommodation at a more favorable price.

The eighth edition of Zagreb Beer Fest promises to continue the successful tradition, offering Zagreb residents and their guests four days filled with premium beer, excellent music, delicious food, and unforgettable socializing in the heart of the city. Get ready for another edition of the festival that celebrates the best of urban culture and brewing craft.