Croatia has become a renowned destination for music lovers as the music festival scene grew bigger by the year. Whether you’re into the underground scene or your taste leans more towards the mainstream, Croatia surely has something for you. Take a look at the best festivals the country has to offer in August.
1. Sonus Festival, Zrce Beach – Pag Island, Croatia
Sonus is a techno beach festival held since 2013 on Zrće beach, on the Croatian island of Pag. This is a fantastic party destination and has even acquired the moniker “Croatian Ibiza”. Many clubs and beach bars are centered around Zrće, a Blue Flag beach that attracts a considerable crowd year after year, as many internationally renowned DJs like Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Pan-Pot, Ricardo Villalobos and Valentino Kanzyani perform in the famous clubs Aquarius, Kalypso and Papaya. Tickets to Sonus boat parties usually sell out weeks before the event, since it’s a one of a kind opportunity to see a stunning sunset set to the beat of techno. This year’s boat parties are hosted by Grelle Forelle, Thump, Colours and Resident Advisor. Boats take off from Novaljia dock close to Plasica Ulica.
Sonus Festival 2016 starts on August 21 and ends on August 25. The line-up includes some of the best names in techno music: Apollonia, Marco Carola, Rhadoo, Joseph Capriati, Karotte, Luciano, Adam Beyer and Ilija Rudman. Apart from the beach and boat parties, that practically run for 5 days straight, the schedule includes two afterhours sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Find out more about Sonus, including full line-up and ticket prices, here.
During your stay on Pag island we recommend mooring your boat at ACI Marina Šimuni, in the immediate vicinity of Zrće beach.
2. Dimensions Festival, Štinjan – Pula, Croatia
Dimensions is an underground music festival held between August 24 and August 29 in Štinjan, a town close to the Istrian city of Pula. The festival takes place at Fort Punta Christo, an abandoned XIX century fort fitted with a state of the art sound system that makes it a truly one of a kind experience. It’s the perfect place to enjoy electronica, house, techno, disco and dubstep. The other festival venues – with names like Noah’s Ballroom, Mungo’s Arena and The Void – are organized around the fort and beach parties are held daily from midday to sunset. About 15 minutes away from the fort is the festival’s camp site – camping Brioni (formerly Puntizela) – but you can also find accommodation in one of the 180 hotels in Štinjan. The organizers recommend wearing sturdy shoes when attending the concert, so forget about sandals and flip-flops.
This year Dimensions Festival kicks off on August 24 with a concert at Pula Arena, a 2000-year-old amphitheater that hosts many music and film events. Massive Attack, Kamasi Washington and Moodymann are playing at the opening concert, but be aware that this ticket is sold separately from the festival passes. The line-up includes more than 50 names such as Larry Heard, Richie Hawtin, Ron Trent, Nightmares on Wax, Daniel Avery, Intergalactic Gary or Darkstar, and there are also 5 boat parties a day. More information on Dimensions Festival, including full line-up, ticket prices and recommendations, can be found here.
You can have a wonderful time in the Istrian Peninsula and discover its many wonders, including the picturesque towns of Rovinj, Poreč and Motovun, as well as the beautiful Brijuni islands. We recommend ACI Marina Pula, located in the natural harbor of the city with the same name.
3. Soundwave, Tisno, Croatia
Soundwave is an eclectic festival that combines music, street art and light shows and takes place between August 4 and August 8 in Tisno, a town located on the Adriatic coast between Zadar and Split. The festival’s location is known as The Garden, a natural amphitheater with its own bay, sandy beach and crystal clear waters.
Soundwave features a mix of reggae, afro, acid jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, drum and bass with a line-up that includes names like Pharoahe Monch, Fatima & The Eglo Band, Gentlemans Dub Club, Calibre, Mala, The Menendez Brothers, Sounds of Harlowe, Shut The Front Door and Bahia Haze. This year’s festival also includes an open cinema where indie films will be shown. For more information on Soundwave’s schedule, travel tips and tickets take a look at their website.
Coincidentally, Tisno is also the location of the International Donkey Racing Championships that this year will take place in the same weekend as the festival. The area around Tisno is perfect for water sports so, take some time for snorkeling or diving. On the must-see list is also Krka National Park with its impressive waterfalls.
Feel great at ACI Marina Jezera, located in a horseshoe shaped bay surrounded by picturesque hills. The marina is on the north-eastern side of Murter Island, separated from the mainland by a narrow strait.
4. Outlook Festival, Pula, Croatia
The biggest bass music festival in Europe, Outlook, is held in the same abandoned fort as Dimensions Festival, between August 31 and September 4. The connection between both festivals runs deeper than a shared location: they have the same organizers and aim to bring together the most cutting edge names in music. Dimensions focuses more on techno, minimal and house and Outlook is bass heavy and offers many styles including reggae, dub, hip-hop, garage and grime.
The opening concert, on August 31 – for which you’ll have to purchase a separate ticket – will be held at Pula Arena and features Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Slum Village, Iration Steppas and ASM (A State of Mind). Among the artists performing this year at Outlook (about 100 in total) are Andy C, Kano, High Contrast, Channel One, Angel Haze, Artful Dodger, Zed Bias, Twinkle Brothers and Vital Techniques. During the festival there are 6 to 8 boat parties a day and the tickets usually sell out months in advance. Check out the entire line-up and ticket prices for Outlook Festival 2016 here.
We recommend mooring your boat at ACI Marina Pula, located in the natural harbor of the city with the same name.
