The island of Cres, the pearl of Kvarner, turns into an epicentre of summer bustle, culture, and unforgettable fun in the second half of July. The rich and diverse program of events, which extends until the end of the month, offers something for everyone, from lovers of theatre and classical music to admirers of tradition and carnival splendour. The entire island breathes at full capacity, and the streets and squares of its picturesque towns become open-air stages, filled with music, laughter, and an authentic island spirit.

July events on the island of Cres offer a unique blend of tradition and contemporary cultural expressions, creating an atmosphere where every visitor feels welcome. From morning fairs of local products to evening concerts under the starry sky, the rhythm of the island promises a fulfilling and eventful holiday.

Theatrical magic under the stars: Teatar na Pjaceti

In the very heart of the historic core of the town of Cres, in the picturesque square known as Pjaceta, theatrical magic is reborn from July 17 to 26, 2025. The event Teatar na Pjaceti, known for its intimate and charming ambience, transforms this ancient space into a unique open-air stage. The stone facades of old houses become the backdrop, and the summer breeze carries the laughter and applause of the delighted audience. This year, the festival brings a rich and varied program intended for all generations.

The grand opening of this year's edition is scheduled for Thursday, July 17, when Mali Teatar will perform a play for the youngest audience titled "Adrianovo obećanje". The very next day, July 18, a treat for the adult audience is on the schedule – the play "Dnevnik nogometaša" performed by Recišou, which humorously explores the world of sports and human relationships. Saturday, July 19, is again reserved for children, with the play "Tri brata i tri kule", also produced by Recišou.

The beginning of the new week brings new theatrical adventures. On Monday, July 21, Ri Teatar will make the audience laugh with a play for adults "O, Jupiteru svemoćni, što uradismo?", and the same theatre will delight children a day later, on July 22, with a performance of "Bugo i jura". The program continues on Thursday, July 24, when the theatre company Susret performs the children's play "Cirkus.Doslovno". The grand finale of Teatar na Pjaceti will take place on Saturday, July 26, when Teatar To Go will perform the play "Majstori", thus lowering the curtain on another successful edition of this beloved summer festival in Cres.

The peak of summer: The Grand Summer Carnival in Cres

Saturday, July 19, is a day that will be written in golden letters in the island's summer calendar. On that day, the town of Cres hosts one of the most anticipated and colourful events – the Summer Carnival. This unique event, organized with great enthusiasm by the carnival association Vežgani in collaboration with the Cres Tourist Board, revives the spirit of the traditional winter carnival in the heart of the tourist season.

The carnival fever will begin at exactly 20:00, when a colourful and noisy procession, composed of several hundred costumed participants from Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, will set off from the Šetalište 20. travnja. Creative masks, allegorical floats, and infectious energy will flood the Cres waterfront, creating a sight to remember. The procession will move towards the main town square, where the central part of the program will take place – the presentation of the carnival groups. Each group will try to win the audience's affection with its choreography and costumes. After the presentation, the party continues late into the night with an energetic performance by the grupa Point, whose rhythms will get both locals and numerous tourists dancing, confirming Cres's status as an unmissable summer destination.

Music, tradition, and culture across the island

The musical offer of the island of Cres in July is equally impressive. The prestigious festival 36th Lubenice Music Evenings, known for the unique ambience of ancient Lubenice, continues its program. On Friday, July 18, in the church of St. Anthony the Abbot, a duo consisting of Divna Šimatović on guitar and Marta Šomođi Homan on flute will perform. The specialty of this festival lies in the combination of top-quality classical music and a surreal environment, providing the audience with an unforgettable acoustic and visual experience. To bring the magic of Lubenice closer to a wider audience, on Sunday, July 20, in the beautiful setting of the Monastery of St. Francis in the town of Cres, a special concert will be held as part of the festival, featuring the esteemed Ardemus Quartet.

Traditional klapa singing also echoes throughout the island. Every Monday in front of the Cres Museum, visitors can enjoy the melodic sounds of klapa Burin, whose performances preserve the rich heritage of Dalmatian and coastal melodies. Klapa Burin will also bring their song to the northern part of the island, where they will hold a concert in idyllic Beli on Friday, July 18.

At the same time, the concert series "Pod zvijezdama" brings popular melodies to smaller island towns. On Thursday, July 17, the grupa Versi will entertain the audience in Valun, and a week later, on July 24, the same band will perform in Martinšćica. It will also be lively in Martinšćica on Friday, July 18, when the coast will be flooded with the cheerful sounds of the street musicians GuggeFaFraia from Trieste, bringing a touch of international flair.

The weekly rhythm of Cres: Workshops, tours, and local products

In addition to major events, the island of Cres also offers a rich weekly program that allows visitors to immerse themselves deeper into the local way of life. Every Tuesday and Friday, the main town square in Cres comes to life thanks to Creska butega. This is a charming fair of indigenous products where local producers proudly display their delicacies – from olive oil and sheep cheese to sage honey, traditional sweets, and handicrafts. It is the perfect opportunity to taste and buy authentic souvenirs.

For those eager for knowledge and new skills, various workshops are organized. On Wednesdays, creative wool felting workshops called "Ovčje ludorije" are held, where one can learn this ancient technique of wool processing, deeply rooted in the island's tradition. On Mondays and Fridays, Craft & Wine workshops by Crearta are on the schedule, combining creativity with oenology, while Tuesdays are reserved for the youngest at the Crearta kids workshops. On Tuesdays, all interested parties can also participate in free costumed guided tours through the town of Cres, which bring the rich history of the town to life in a fun and interactive way.

Exploring the rich heritage

July is also the ideal time to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of the island. Just today, July 15, an intriguing exhibition "Illuminous - Let there be light" by the author Bojana Vuksanović opens in the city tower in Cres. The opening will be accompanied by a special astronomical event 'Celestial' Creska kula, which includes a lecture by Zlatko Ciganj from the Academic Astronomical Society of Rijeka and a guided observation of celestial bodies through a telescope.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the island's maritime past at the Creski kaić Interpretation Centre. In the Cres Museum, located in the Gothic-Renaissance Arsan Palace, they can view the permanent exhibitions "Heraldic Cres", "Three Stories about the Arsan Palace", and "Cres Cuisine". The prestigious Moise Palace offers insight into contemporary art through the exhibition "One quite ordinary, Cres, summer day".

The northern part of the island, known as Tramuntana, offers unique experiences. In Beli, at the Visitor Centre and Griffon Vulture Rescue Centre, you can learn all about these magnificent birds, which are a symbol of the island, through a multimedia display. The Days of Tramuntana, an event dedicated to this special area, officially opens on July 26 in Beli with a concert by Karin Kuljanić "Melodije s duše". In Martinšćica, you can visit an exhibition about Andrija Linardić, a pioneer in distilling essential oil from immortelle, while Lubenice houses the fascinating Museum of Sheep Farming, which tells the story of the centuries-old tradition that has shaped the life and landscape of the island. The month ends with the traditional feast of Anina in Vidovići on July 26, celebrating the feast day of Saint Anne.