Špancirfest 2026 introduces secret concerts: locations will be revealed only shortly before the performances begin
Špancirfest 2026 is introducing a new musical concept that deliberately cannot be found in full on the festival map. During the ten-day event in the historic centre of Varaždin, intimate concerts will be held at locations that remain hidden for now, and the organisers will announce the venue of each performance only shortly before it begins. The audience will not be able to reserve a place in advance or purchase a ticket, meaning that the limited capacity will be available to those who arrive at the location first after the announcement. In addition to a concert in a specially selected urban setting, a welcome drink has also been announced, while the performers and exact addresses are still being kept secret. The concept has been designed as a one-off experience with no repeat performances, which is why following Špancirfest's official website and social media channels will be essential for everyone wishing to participate.
The new format is part of the much broader programme of the 28th Špancirfest, which will take place in Varaždin from 21 to 30 August 2026. According to information provided by the City of Varaždin and the organisers, approximately 600 programmes will be distributed across 23 festival zones, ranging from large concert stages to streets, squares, palaces, courtyards and parks. More than 200 events belong to the musical part of the programme, but the festival also includes street performances, theatre, workshops, children's programmes, exhibitions, creative and sales zones, and a gastronomic offering. The Varaždin Tourist Board states that the event attracts more than 300,000 visitors every year, meaning that in 2026 the historic centre will once again become a large open-air stage where the programme is followed by walking from one zone to another.
Four secret musical themes, but no addresses known in advance
By 1 August, the organisers had revealed the thematic framework of four secret musical experiences, but not their performers, dates or locations. The programme A Night in Paris will be inspired by French chansons and the Parisian musical atmosphere, while Love Songs will bring together timeless love songs. One evening will be dedicated to music from the cult film "One Song a Day Takes Mischief Away", while a separate programme will present a selection of well-known film music works. The idea is not to create another standard festival stage, but to use smaller and atmospherically distinctive spaces in historic Varaždin, where the proximity between performers and the audience changes the way a concert is experienced.
The participation rules are simple, but require a quick response. There will be no reservations or ticket sales for the secret performances, the number of places will be limited, and the location will be announced shortly before the beginning. The organisers have not announced repeat performances for members of the audience who fail to gain entry, giving every concert the character of a one-off event. Visitors are therefore advised to follow official announcements on their mobile devices during the festival and to expect to travel on foot within the city centre. Since the locations have not yet been confirmed, it is not possible to state in advance the accessibility of each venue, its distance from the main zones or any possible entry rules, so this information will need to be checked with every specific announcement.
Free concerts on the PAN stage near the Old Town
While the secret stages will remain unknown until the last moment, the schedule of the largest concerts on the PAN stage at the Old Town has already been published. All listed concerts on that stage are free of charge. The programme opens on 21 August at 10 p.m. with "Following Oliver", a musical tribute to Oliver Dragojević featuring Tedi Spalato, Goran Karan, Petar Dragojević and the group Delfini. The following day, 22 August from 9 p.m., Plavi Orkestar will arrive at Špancirfest for the first time, a band whose catalogue has been present in regional popular music for decades. On Sunday, 23 August at 9 p.m., the British electronic band Kosheen will perform, also making its first appearance at the festival.
On Tuesday, 25 August, the PAN stage will host a double concert programme. Seine will perform from 9 to 9.45 p.m., followed by the Mostar band Zoster from 10 to 10.45 p.m. After two days without an announced programme on that stage, the concert series continues with Zabranjeno pušenje on 28 August from 9 p.m. Dubioza Kolektiv will return to the Varaždin audience on 29 August at 9 p.m., while Silente will perform on the final festival evening, 30 August from 9 p.m. According to the official schedule available on 1 August, no concerts are listed on the PAN stage for 24, 26 and 27 August, but the festival programme may be supplemented, which is why the schedule should be checked again shortly before arrival.
Vila Bedeković: concerts and theatre with mandatory tickets
The programme at Vila Bedeković is the only part of the official festival programme for which tickets are required. The musical series begins on 21 August at 8 p.m. with the Gala Opening, combining classical music, jazz, swing, tango and popular compositions. According to the official announcement, the performers will be Zagrebački solisti, soprano Evelin Novak, Varaždinski trio, Nikola Hrupek, Gelato Sisters, Zdenka Kovačiček and Robert Mareković's Swingers. Tickets for the opening cost between 25 and 30 euros. Amira Medunjanin will perform on 22 August at 8.30 p.m., and the ticket price is 25 euros.
From 23 to 28 August, Vila Bedeković becomes a theatre stage. Each performance begins at 8.30 p.m., and an individual ticket costs 16 euros. The schedule includes "Pensioners Go Wild" by Kerekesh Teatar on 23 August, "Iva and Gloria" by the same theatre on 24 August, "How It All Began" with Aleks and Bara on 25 August, "Ljubaf" by Kerekesh Teatar on 26 August, "Uspješna.hr" by Kazalište Moruzgva on 27 August, and "Muškarci.hr" produced by Virido on 28 August. Music returns on 29 August at 8.30 p.m. with a concert by Doris Dragović, for which tickets cost between 25 and 30 euros. The closing programme "From Sanremo to Varaždin" will be held on 30 August at 8.30 p.m. with the Varaždinski tamburaški orkestar and soloists Gabriela Hrženjak, Filip Hozjak and Neven Stipčić, and the ticket costs 20 euros.
The organiser states that tickets are available through the festival's official website, the Eventim system and authorised points of sale. The issuing fee is 1.50 euros per ticket for the musical programme and one euro per ticket for a theatre performance. Since considerable interest has already been recorded for certain programmes, especially the concert by Doris Dragović, availability should be checked before travelling. Visitors planning to attend several days of the festival can consider accommodation in Varaždin during Špancirfest in advance, especially for the final weekend featuring concerts by Zabranjeno pušenje, Doris Dragović, Dubioza Kolektiv and Silente.
Retro, world music and dance in the Food & Party zone
The musical programme does not end at the Old Town and Vila Bedeković. The official schedule for the Carlsberg Food & Party zone combines concerts and DJ programmes, with a stronger emphasis on retro sounds. On the first evening, 21 August from 10.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m., Luiku will perform. ET will present a programme inspired by the 1990s on 22 August from 10.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m., while DJ Krnya has been announced for 23 August from 8 p.m. until midnight. DJ Pucko will perform on 25 August from 8 p.m. until midnight, Cargodusjet on 26 August from 9 to 11 p.m., and Bosak & The Second Hand Band on 27 August during the same time slot.
Cat Paws will perform on 28 August from 10.30 p.m. until midnight, while The Bestbeat, a tribute band dedicated to the Beatles, will play on 29 August from 10.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. The organisers highlighted the symbolism of the date because the performance is taking place on the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' final concert. This zone also offers street food and a beer hall, and has therefore been designed as a place where the concert programme connects with evening socialising. Exact times may be changed or supplemented, so the official daily schedule is the most reliable source to check before heading to a particular stage.
Music in the streets, in a camper van and at workshops
One of Špancirfest's fundamental characteristics remains a programme that does not require the traditional arrival in front of a stage. The Heroes of the Streets will perform at various locations throughout the historic centre, while the Musical Camper Van will once again serve as a mobile and immediate concert point. Free workshops organised by Glazbena Klinika will connect education with mini concerts by participants and mentors. It is precisely within this layer of the programme that the secret concerts naturally continue the festival tradition of chance encounters, as the audience may come across performers during a walk whom they had not planned to see.
The 2026 street programme brings together artists from approximately ten European countries. In its official announcement, the City of Varaždin highlights the French collectives Moz Production and Compagnie Remue Ménage, Spain's Brincadeira, Italy's Parola Bianca, Bulgaria's Nov Cirk, Austria's Flame Rain Theatre and the German groups Stelzen Art and Dulce Compania. Drumming and light performances, characters on stilts, acrobatics on tall flexible poles, fire scenes, living statues and costumed parades have been announced. Hungary's LaLuz Visuals will transform façades in the city centre with projections, while Spain's Sidral Brass Band will connect street movement and music. The audience will not merely be an observer, as numerous programmes use passers-by as part of their improvisation and choreography.
New zones expand the festival beyond the concert schedule
Špancirfest 2026 includes a series of zones conceived as separate daytime and evening experiences. Preloved Market returns at a new location in Ankice Opolski Street, connecting sustainable fashion, small entrepreneurs, content creators, workshops and music. Kooglach opens for the first time on Freedom Square, a zone dedicated to ice cream, summer snacks and programmes for different generations. The courtyard of Sermage Palace becomes Dolce Vita Garden, a space inspired by Italy, canzoni, cabaret, a fashion show and gastronomy. Beneath the walls of the Old Town, Wine Town brings together around forty winemakers from Croatian wine regions for the twelfth year, while Flavours of the World offers street food inspired by international cuisines.
For children and families, the organisers have announced Vindiland, Park kreative and the return of Baltazargrad. The programme includes interactive play equipment, LEGO workshops, STEM activities, artistic and sensory content, board games and theatre performances. Baltazargrad will present the Baltazar Academy and educational boxes, together with already familiar installations inspired by Professor Balthazar. The gaming zone will include tournaments, presentations of new games and retro titles. Such a broad programme means that a visit to Špancirfest does not depend exclusively on an evening concert, but can be planned as a full-day tour of the historic centre.
Arrival, parking and planning a visit
The City of Varaždin has announced free parking areas at four locations outside the immediate festival area: near Roto Dinamic at 157 Optujska Street, near Gumiimpex GRP in Mihovila P. Miškine Street by house numbers 64B and 64C, near the Varaždin City Swimming Pools at 85A and 89 Zagrebačka Street, and near the Varteks Automobile Club at 3 Biškupečka Street. Free city public transport to the centre will be organised from these locations. The aim is to reduce traffic pressure on the historic centre, where a large share of movement during the festival will take place on foot.
For the secret musical experiences, it is particularly important to allow sufficient time to arrive after the location has been announced. Since there are no reservations, simply following the announcement is not enough; it is necessary to assess the distance, crowds and the time required to pass through the festival zone. For standard concerts, arriving earlier is recommended, especially for the free performances near the Old Town, where a large number of people is expected. Visitors staying for several days can combine the musical programme, street performances and daytime zones, and choose accommodation close to Varaždin's historic centre to reduce the need to drive during evening events.
The official programme available on 1 August shows that Špancirfest 2026 will simultaneously offer prearranged large concerts and events whose key details will remain hidden almost until the very beginning. The secret performances will not replace the main stages, but will add a layer of spontaneity to the festival in which the venue, performer and audience become part of one unrepeatable evening. For visitors, the most important practical distinction is clear: concerts on the PAN stage and most street events are free of charge, the programme at Vila Bedeković requires a ticket, while entry at the secret locations is free but depends on the speed of arrival and the available capacity.
Sources:
- Špancirfest - official programme by day and festival location (link)
- Špancirfest - official schedule for the PAN stage at the Old Town (link)
- Špancirfest - official musical programme with times by stage (link)
- Špancirfest - prices, times and ticket sales for Vila Bedeković (link)
- City of Varaždin - presentation of the programme of the 28th Špancirfest, festival zones, street performers and free transport (link)
- Varaždin Tourist Board - event dates and description (link)