The grape harvest festival in Pregrada, which is held this year for the 53rd time, is one of the most important cultural and tourist events in Croatian Zagorje. This multi-day celebration, which will last from September 15 to 24, 2024, gathers numerous visitors and enthusiasts of tradition, culture, and gastronomy. The festival celebrates the joy of life associated with grape harvesting, and its goal is to nurture customs related to viticulture, a distinctive activity of this region.

This year's festival program will be exceptionally rich, featuring numerous cultural, entertainment, sports, and eno-gastronomic events. The festival opening will take place on September 16 at the vineyard of one of the local winemakers, with accompanying activities such as traditional wine harvest practices, barrel pushing, and the preparation of the "wine pot," a specialty that brings together local enthusiasts of fine wine and home-cooked food. A highlight of this year's program is also the opening of the square named "Dobra kaplica," where local winemakers will present their wines. More than 50 different types of wine are expected to be available for visitors to taste.

The music program is also very diverse, covering various musical genres. On the first day of the festival, visitors will be entertained by the famous Croatian singer Zsa Zsa, while in the following days, numerous bands such as Pravila igre and Ljubavnici will perform, with a special highlight being the guest appearance of the band Novi fosili. For fans of alternative music, a concert named GIG @The Cinema will be organized, held in front of the cinema hall, which will attract visitors eager for urban and alternative music.

In addition to all this, the festival includes numerous activities for children and families. Saturday is reserved for children's workshops called 'Paint and Fun,' where little ones will draw while enjoying juices, while parents will enjoy a glass of local wine. On Sunday, a traditional parade of grape pickers is planned, an event that has become a symbol of the festival, and a book on the history of viticulture in Varaždin County will also be presented as part of the festival. Additionally, visitors will be able to enjoy a performance and an exhibition of traditional costumes, contributing to the preservation of the cultural heritage of this region.

A special part of the program is dedicated to sports enthusiasts. The festival will also feature traditional tournaments in football, tennis, chess, and belote. Hikers will organize joint excursions through the hills of Pregrada, while cyclists will have the opportunity to participate in bike races. The entire festival offers a rich content that connects people of all generations, allowing them to celebrate the grape harvest together, the most important agricultural event in this region.

In addition to all of this, the rich eno-gastronomic offer should not be forgotten. The square will feature numerous local products, and visitors will have the chance to taste indigenous dishes prepared according to old recipes. One of the main events is the preparation of wine goulash, which will be served outdoors. This gastronomic delight brings together the best chefs from the region, and visitors will also be able to taste many other delicacies connected with the tradition of this area.

The grape harvest festival in Pregrada represents a unique opportunity to enjoy a rich cultural, entertainment, and eno-gastronomic program, and the organizers expect a large number of visitors from all over Croatia, as well as from abroad. The festival is not only a celebration of the grape harvest but also a celebration of life, togetherness, and tradition, which will surely remain in the memory of all visitors.