Get ready for a musical and stylistic journey that erases the boundaries of time! From Thursday, June 26, to Saturday, June 28, 2025, Opatija once again transforms into the epicenter of retro culture, becoming the largest and most dazzling open-air stage. The RetrOpatija event, now a cult happening that celebrates the golden decades of the last century, promises three days of unforgettable fun, dance, and nostalgia. The entire city, from Slatina to the Opatija harbor, will turn into a vibrant backdrop filled with the sounds, fashion, and spirit of the times that shaped generations. A complete immersion into the past awaits you, where every corner of the city will tell its own unique retro story.

Imagine walking through a city where shop windows and bar terraces are not just decorated, but are faithfully recreated portals to past times, exuding the atmosphere of old dance halls and elegant evenings. More than 40 carefully selected locations will become the scene of musical, fashion, and cultural experiences. The organizers announce the participation of over 150 performers, including 23 bands and 15 DJs, who will satisfy even the most demanding musical tastes with their performances. It is expected that more than 40,000 visitors from home and abroad will flood the streets of Opatija, creating a unique energy and a collective celebration. The dress code is, of course, mandatory, so it's the right time to peek into your parents', grandparents' wardrobes and find inspiration for your perfect vintage look.

A city dancing through the decades

RetrOpatija is not just a festival; it is a complete transformation of the city into a living museum of popular culture. Each location will carry the spirit of a specific decade, creating a dynamic mosaic of experiences. Visitors can expect open-air concerts that will bring to life the sounds from the swing of the twenties, through the rebellious rock and rockabilly of the fifties, to the psychedelic sixties, the glamorous disco fever of the seventies, and the energetic electropop of the eighties and nineties. The streets will become dance floors where swing and rockabilly dancers will alternate, and the air will be filled with the scents of retro street food delicacies and the tastes of classic cocktails. The entire city becomes a stage, and finding the ideal accommodation in Opatija is key to fully immersing yourself in the three-day magic that awaits you.

Besides music, visitors will be able to enjoy exhibitions of vintage cars that will proudly adorn Opatija's squares, admire pin-up models who will revive the spirit of Hollywood's golden age, and explore the rich offer at antique and vintage photo equipment fairs. It is an opportunity to return to a time when things had a soul and when every object told its own story.

Music program: From Rock'n'Roll to disco fever

The three-day spectacle begins on Thursday, June 26, when the first wave of musical euphoria will spread through the city. On the Opatija pier, overlooking the Kvarner Bay, the energetic SuperCover band will warm up and get the audience dancing, while at the same time, on the Small Summer Stage, a tribute to the king of rock'n'roll will be paid through the charismatic "Elvis Show – The King is back". The area in front of the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion will become a stage for the band Vinyl, and just a few steps away, in front of Villa Angiolina, Martina Majerle will perform the timeless hits of the legendary Indexi with her unique voice. The Mystic Rose Ensemble will provide a more refined atmosphere on the terrace of the Kvarner Hotel, while the city market, the popular "mrkat," will become a real oasis for fifties lovers with the authentic rockabilly rhythms of the band Joe & Stacey with the Rhythm Boys. The first day of the festival will also be filled with numerous open-air dance performances, creating the perfect introduction to the wildest weekend on the Adriatic.

Friday brings a real explosion of rhythm and color. In the Opatija harbor, all singing talents will get their chance at Retro Karaoke, while an energetic rockabilly workshop will be held at the market, after which the band The River Sharks will take the stage. The musical magic will spread throughout the city: Night Express will perform in front of the Juraj Šporer Pavilion, Velvetto will create the atmosphere on the terrace of the Kvarner Hotel, and Joe & Stacey with the Rhythm Boys will move their performance to Slatina. It is Slatina that, under the spotlights, will become a real retro skate zone. Visitors will be able to witness attractive demonstrations by local skaters and enjoy a program that celebrates the golden days of skate culture, with the indispensable musical backdrop of the eighties and nineties. The evening will be rounded off by numerous DJs whose sets will get all generations dancing late into the night.

Grand finale on Saturday

The climax of RetrOpatija will take place on Saturday, June 28, when the city center, from 5 p.m. until the early morning hours, will be closed to traffic and transformed into a unique pedestrian zone dedicated exclusively to entertainment. This is the night when Opatija fully becomes what the festival promises – a time machine without limits. For all those who want to complete their retro look, a "Dress Up Corner" with fashion accessories will be available, while teams of hairdressers, barbers, and makeup artists will offer a complete makeover in a vintage style. The central event of the evening is undoubtedly the big disco party under the starry sky at the Summer Stage. This legendary space will be transformed into the largest open-air disco floor, and DJ Luca Montecchi will be in charge of the musical fever, with vocal accompaniment by Sabrina Hebiri and attractive dance performances by the Trinity & Co. studio. Dancing and fun are expected until dawn, a truly spectacular finale to a three-day celebration.

More than music: A complete retro experience

The retro atmosphere will not be reserved only for the main stages. Life will also pulsate on the terraces of the Kvarner, Agava, Bristol, and Continental hotels, as well as in numerous Opatija cafes, restaurants, and bars. Visitors can expect themed evenings inspired by the style of Frank Sinatra and the glamour of The Great Gatsby, with specially designed menus and cocktail lists. A special treat has been prepared for the youngest visitors – a children's fire station, where little ones can try their hand at being firefighters, enjoy face painting, and participate in various creative and fun activities, making RetrOpatija an event for the whole family.

Organization and logistics for a perfect time

"RetrOpatija is not just a festival – it is an experience that is remembered. It is the party of the century where we create new memories by celebrating the old ones. Join us and be a part of this unique story," said Suzi Petričić, director of the Opatija Tourist Board. She also expressed her gratitude to all who supported the project, including the City of Opatija, Festival Opatija, the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Kvarner Tourist Board, the Croatian Museum of Tourism, Zagrebačka banka, Aura Distillery, and Frederiko jewelry. To ensure visitors can enjoy themselves without a care, free parking is provided at the fenced parking lot of the Opatija 21 company in Preluk. For transport on the route Preluk – the intersection near the Ambasador Hotel, taxis will be available at affordable prices: a ride in a passenger car (up to 4 people) will cost 12 euros, while the price for a taxi van (up to 8 people) will be 20 euros. Given the high attendance, it is recommended to secure accommodation in Opatija in time and surrender to an unforgettable weekend.