Rijeka Carnival 2026 has officially begun: maskers have taken the key to the city, Rijeka enters the “fifth season”
Rijeka officially opened the carnival period on Saturday, January 17, 2026, which has been described in the city for decades as the “fifth season”. After the sounding of the Anton's horn and the first Parade of Carnival Flags, the handover of the Key to the City was held in the City Hall of Rijeka, a symbolic act by which the maskers take power and the carnival gets its formal beginning. According to the announcement of the City of Rijeka, the procession started from Jelačić Square at 11:15 am, and among the participants were the Morčići, the Trsat City Brass Band, the First Rijeka Majorettes, Master Sandi and the then queen Nora Marčelja, along with representatives of carnival associations and protocol groups.
In Rijeka, the carnival has never been just one weekend of masked bustle. The organizers describe it as a space of freedom, satire, creativity, and togetherness, and the program is built through a series of events at various locations, from theaters and dances to concerts and traditional manifestations. For visitors planning to arrive from out of town, the very first days of the season show that the carnival atmosphere is distributed throughout the entire week and several neighborhoods, so
accommodation for visitors in Rijeka who want to stay longer than one evening is also in demand.
Parade of Carnival Flags and handover of the key: symbolism that opens the season
This year's beginning was marked by a novelty in the protocol: the Parade of Carnival Flags, which the City of Rijeka cites as the first such event within Antonja. The idea is clear: the carnival opens visually and collectively, with flags of carnival groups and symbols that are recognized even outside the city. At the same time, it is emphasized that the carnival is not just the central Rijeka stage, but also a network of associations and places in the surrounding area that prepare costumes, choreographies, music, and allegories for months.
A ceremonial program for the handover of the key was then held in the City Hall of Rijeka. According to the official announcement, Mayor Iva Rinčić and Master Sandi addressed the gathered. Precisely that moment, when the key is “handed over” to the maskers, in Rijeka's tradition means that everything that is just a whisper during the rest of the year is allowed: satire, reversal of roles, freer speech, and carnival play in which the city turns “upside down”. In a practical sense, this is also the start of a period in which Rijeka expects a larger number of visitors, an intensified rhythm of events, and greater demand for weekend arrangements, so the interest in
accommodation offers in Rijeka during the carnival logically increases.
The opening program of that day continued with the opening of an exhibition of carnival costumes, allegories, and photographs in the Rijeka Tunnel, which the City of Rijeka lists as part of the same protocol. Such contents remind us that the carnival is not just a momentary spectacle, but also a living archive of the city's identity: costumes and allegorical floats preserve the humor and comments of individual seasons, and photographs document how Rijeka changes, while the carnival remains one of its most recognizable symbols.
First week of the carnival: theater, election of the queen, carnival dances, and Saturday evenings full of programs
Rijeka Carnival 2026 opens a wide range of contents already in the first week: from theatrical comedy as a “warm-up”, through the election of the queen which traditionally gathers carnival associations, to dances and musical evenings that spread the carnival beyond Korzo. The organizers also describe the carnival with the slogan of the season “Be what you want”, emphasizing that it is a period in which the city turns into a stage where it is allowed to be different, louder, and more imaginative.
Quick guide through dates that mark the beginning of the season
- January 21, 2026 – “Testosterone” at HKD on Sušak, as part of the Days of Laughter program
- January 23, 2026 – Election of the Queen of the Rijeka Carnival in the Hall of Youth
- January 23, 2026 – Masked dances in Pašac at the Pašac Home
- January 24, 2026 – workshop “Maskers with K-pop Demon Hunters” at the Croatian Ship Modelers Association
- January 24, 2026 – concert of Prljavo kazalište at Exportdrvo
- January 24, 2026 – 14th Night of Crinolines on Botel Marina
- January 31, 2026 – Children's Carnival Parade on Korzo
- February 15, 2026 – International Carnival Parade on Korzo
“Testosterone” at HKD on Sušak: Days of Laughter as an introduction to the carnival mood
Already on Wednesday, January 21, the hit comedy “Testosterone” is on the program at the Croatian Cultural House on Sušak, within the Days of Laughter manifestation. According to the published information alongside ticket sales, the play starts at 8 pm, and it is announced as an energetic piece that relies on quick replies, recognizable situations, and humor that keeps the audience in rhythm from the first to the last minute. In the carnival context, such a program is not accidental: laughter and irony are the foundation of carnival culture, and the theater provides a space where social themes can be processed through comedy and exaggeration, without pretending that everything is “strictly serious”.
HKD on Sušak has had an important role in Rijeka's cultural life for years, and the carnival season additionally fills that space with an audience that might not otherwise reach for the theater in the middle of January. For guests from out of town, this is also a way to experience the carnival from the inside, through an evening program, and not just through daily parades and street gatherings. If one plans to stay until the weekend,
accommodation near HKD on Sušak is also sought after so that the city can be toured without haste, from the evening play to Saturday events.
Election of the Queen of the Rijeka Carnival: the community chooses the face of the season
On Friday, January 23, the ceremonial Election of the Queen of the Rijeka Carnival takes place in the Hall of Youth, a manifestation that is regularly highlighted in the organizers' announcements as one of the key introductory events of the carnival period. The election is perceived in Rijeka as the moment when the carnival gets its “face”: the queen is the representative of the season, a person who participates in public presentations, protocol, and performances, and symbolically represents carnival associations and their values.
According to the presentation of candidates published by Kanal Ri, competing for the title are Pia Vujović from the Carnival Association Siti i pijani, Nika Beletić from the Association Halubajke Viškovo, Matea Seifert from the Carnival Society Zametske maškare i zvončari, Ljiljana Kamenar from the Masked Group Veseli oldtimeri, Vanessa Damiš from the Carnival Association Grobničke štrige, Iva Špegar from the Carnival Association Mesopustari Kraljevice, and Antonia Jurlina from the Association Draške maškare. A distinctiveness of the election is also the decision-making method: the winner is chosen by representatives of carnival groups participating in the Rijeka Carnival, emphasizing that it is a choice “from within”, from the carnival community itself, and not a classic competition dictated by an external jury.
Such a model additionally strengthens the sense of belonging and continuity. At the same time, it reminds of an important fact: the Rijeka Carnival is not the product of a single institution, but a complex network of associations, neighborhoods, and places in the surrounding area that live the carnival for months, preparing costumes, masks, and performances. For those who want to be in the city on that very weekend,
accommodation in Rijeka for the Queen Election weekend is logically sought, because the program on Friday and Saturday takes place in parallel at multiple locations.
Masked dances in Pašac: carnival bustle outside the city center
On the same Friday, January 23, Masked dances in Pašac also start at the Pašac Home. According to the published programs of the carnival calendar, it is an evening event that relies on the tradition of “pusni tanci” (carnival dances), one of the liveliest forms of carnival socializing. Although the central image of the carnival is often tied to Korzo and large parades, dances and carnival parties are key to what makes the carnival from the inside: the mask ceases to be a costume for a photograph and becomes a ticket to social contact, improvisation, and shared fun.
For visitors, this is an opportunity to step away from the usual tourist routes and meet the carnival in its more local, neighborhood form. Such evenings are often remembered just as much as large parades, because the carnival is then experienced as a real social event, and not just as content for observation. If one plans to visit multiple locations throughout the weekend,
accommodation for visitors who want to tour neighborhood programs is practical, especially when events overlap in the same evening hours.
Saturday, January 24: creative workshops, concert at Exportdrvo, and Night of Crinolines on a ship
The Saturday program additionally shows the breadth of the Rijeka Carnival and its ability to fit contents of different genres into the same day: from a workshop that combines carnival motifs and contemporary pop culture, through a concert by a major domestic band, to an event that has been building its identity for years on the border of tradition, elegance, and humanitarian work. In practice, this means that visitors choose what is closer to them: creativity and socializing in a smaller group, a massive concert, or a lavish masked ball.
Workshop “Maskers with K-pop Demon Hunters”: carnival meets anime aesthetics
At the Croatian Ship Modelers Association, at the address Strossmayerova 13b, on Saturday, January 24, from 5 pm, an interactive workshop “Maskers with K-pop Demon Hunters” is being held. According to the announcement of the Rijeka Tourist Board on the event calendar, the workshop is conceived as a blend of carnival themes and Korean pop culture, where participants draw K-pop idols in anime style. The announcement also highlights the element of learning about Korean mythology, through a story that connects with the motifs of “demon hunters” aesthetics and the carnival mask as a universal symbol of disguise.
Content like this speaks to the change of the carnival in the 21st century: tradition remains a mainstay, but new cultural codes are introduced into the program that attract a younger audience and expand the reach of the manifestation. At the same time, it is a reminder that the carnival is not just a mass gathering, but also a series of smaller events in which one participates actively, through creation and learning. For those who come specifically for the Saturday program and want to stay until the evening events,
accommodation near the event venue is often sought so that the day can be arranged without logistical stress.
Prljavo kazalište at Exportdrvo: carnival party with a rock classic
In the evening, January 24, a carnival party with a concert by the group Prljavo kazalište is announced at Exportdrvo. According to information published alongside ticket sales, the program starts at 8 pm, and it is an event that targets an audience eager for the musical highlight of the first carnival weekend. Exportdrvo has profiled itself in recent years as one of the key Rijeka stages for larger concerts and club nights, and the carnival is, by its nature, a period in which the city additionally “rises” in the evening and gets a rhythm that lasts until late.
The concert program is important because it ensures that the carnival mood spills over into the city's nightlife, and does not remain limited to daytime events. For a part of the audience, especially younger ones, concerts are precisely the first touch with the carnival, after which they also join parades and other programs. Whoever plans an evening out and staying until Sunday, naturally looks for
accommodation near Exportdrvo and the center of Rijeka so that the city can be experienced on foot, without unnecessary drives.
14th Night of Crinolines on Botel Marina: tradition, glamour, and humanitarian message
At the same time, on Botel Marina, the 14th Night of Crinolines is being held, a manifestation that stands out in the Rijeka event calendar for its special aesthetics. According to the Rijeka Tourist Board, it is a lavish masked ball that brings back the spirit of historical carnival dances and the elegance of “crinoline” evenings, with costumes that combine tradition and glamour. The announcement emphasizes that the manifestation also has a humanitarian character, because the collected funds are directed to charitable purposes, and the event is carried out in cooperation with the carnival association Veseli oldtimeri.
The Night of Crinolines is often described as an evening in which the carnival shows itself in its different face: instead of street satire, the emphasis is on costumes, protocol, atmosphere, and the feeling of a special occasion. Such a program also attracts guests who may not want the crowds of large parades, but want to experience the carnival idea through a ball and a mask. Because of this, on dates like this one,
accommodation for guests of the Night of Crinolines is additionally sought, especially when the weekend combines with other events in the city.
Broader picture of the season: large parades, increased tourism, and carnival as the city's identity
Although the first week brings a series of contents, the main peak dates are yet to follow. According to announcements by organizers and the tourism sector, the carnival period culminates with the Children's Carnival Parade on January 31 and the International Carnival Parade on February 15. These are the days when the largest number of participants and visitors come to the city, and the organization requires the most work: from the coordination of carnival groups and allegorical floats to traffic regulation and public safety. Due to great interest, arrivals and reservations are already being planned, and many visitors look for
accommodation in Rijeka and the surroundings in advance to secure a place for the most visited weekends.
The carnival in Rijeka also has a strong identity dimension. Mayor Iva Rinčić, according to the announcement of the City of Rijeka, pointed out that for 43 years the carnival has represented the heart of Rijeka's identity and a space of freedom, satire, creativity, and openness. The director of the Rijeka Tourist Board, Petar Škarpa, according to the same announcement, emphasized that the carnival is not just a parade, but the “identity, character, and attitude” of the city and that the manifestation generates arrivals, overnight stays, and visibility outside the main season. In practice, this means that Rijeka in January and February turns into a destination that combines tradition and contemporary programs, and visitors get a reason to stay longer and experience the city in a different edition.
Carnival between tradition and new trends: why the program increasingly expands the audience
Contents like the workshop with K-pop aesthetics, theatrical comedies at HKD, or large concerts at Exportdrvo show that the carnival does not close itself in the past. On the contrary, the program is built to attract different interests: traditional associations and customs preserve continuity, while contemporary formats open doors to a new audience. A broader social change is also seen in this: the carnival becomes a platform where different generations and cultural practices meet, and the mask functions as a universal sign of freedom to be someone else at least for a short while.
At the same time, Rijeka and the surrounding area remain recognizable by strong carnival identities of carnival groups, which carry local motifs, dialects, humor, and recognizable symbols through their performances. Precisely that combination of tradition and contemporary rhythm makes the Rijeka Carnival attractive to those who come for the first time, but also to those who return year after year, always looking for a new face of the same idea.
Practical for visitors: how to plan a stay in carnival Rijeka
Given that the program takes place at multiple locations and often simultaneously, visitors are recommended to plan their arrival and stay in advance, especially for weekends with larger events. This includes choosing dates, following organizer announcements, and reserving transport and overnight stays. As a rule,
accommodation in the center of Rijeka is most in demand, but locations that allow quick access to Sušak, Exportdrvo, or Botel Marina also suit many, depending on the plan.
For those who want to experience the carnival outside postcard spots, it pays to follow neighborhood programs like carnival dances (pusni tanci), because precisely there the most authentic atmosphere often arises. On the other hand, for visitors coming to Rijeka for the first time, a combination of central events and programs in halls offers a balanced experience: the carnival can be felt both on the street and indoors, depending on the weather and preferences.
Rijeka Carnival 2026 entered its first chapter with a flag parade and handover of the key, and already in the following days, it expands through theater, election of the queen, dances, workshops, and large evening programs. If judged by the rhythm of announced events, Rijeka will live in the sign of masks, music, and satire all the way to Ash Wednesday, which in 2026 falls on February 18, when the carnival period traditionally ends and the city slowly returns to the usual rhythm.
Sources:- City of Rijeka – announcement of the Parade of Carnival Flags, handover of the Key to the City, and exhibition in the Tunnel (link)- City of Rijeka – announcement and key events of the Rijeka Carnival 2026, including parades and statements from organizers (link)- Rijeka Tourist Board / Visit Rijeka – announcement about the program and key dates of the Rijeka Carnival 2026 (link)- Visit Rijeka – information about the event Night of Crinolines on Botel Marina (humanitarian character, start of the program, organizer) (link)- Visit Rijeka – information about the workshop “Maskers with K-pop Demon Hunters” (date, time, location) (link)- Kanal Ri – presentation of candidates for the Queen of the Rijeka Carnival 2026 (names and associations) (link)- Entrio – information alongside ticket sales for “Carnival party with Prljavo kazalište” at Exportdrvo (date and time) (link)- MojeKarte – information alongside ticket sales for “Testosterone” at HKD Sušak (date and time) (link)- Torpedo.media – overview of the event calendar of the Rijeka Carnival 2026 (dates and locations of multiple programs) (link)- GCatholic (liturgical calendar for Croatia, 2026) – Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026 (link)
Find accommodation nearby
Creation time: 2 hours ago