The International Prosciutto Festival, Drniš will be held on August 28 and 29 at the Antun Mihanović Sports Hall. Alongside a rich wine and gastronomy offering, visitors can expect performances by Mate Grgat and Hrvatske ruže.
The ninth edition of the International Prosciutto Festival, Drniš will take place on August 28 and 29, 2026. This two-day event will once again be held at the Antun Mihanović Sports Hall, with organizers preparing a rich program celebrating Drniš prosciutto, a product protected by the European Union's geographical indication label.
The evening program on the first day of the festival, Friday, August 28, will feature Mate Grgat. Saturday evening, August 29, will be closed by Hrvatske ruže. Over the years, the festival has grown beyond local boundaries and become one of the most recognizable gastronomic events in the Dalmatian hinterland.
Drago Pletikosa, president of the Drniš Prosciutto Producers Association, emphasized that behind every piece lies years of experience, knowledge, and effort from producers. "Good prosciutto doesn't come from leaving meat in a corner and letting time do its work," Pletikosa said. He explained that each piece of prosciutto passes through the producer's hands at least 20 times, and achieving top-quality slices requires at least 15 months. Drniš prosciutto, alongside Istrian, Krk, and Dalmatian varieties, carries the European geographical indication label, an international recognition of exceptional quality rooted in tradition.
Drniš Mayor Tomislav Dželalija highlighted that the festival is much more than a two-day event. "It's an opportunity for Drniš to showcase its best-hardworking people, rich tradition, and a product that has made us known far beyond Croatia's borders," Dželalija said. He added that he looks forward to welcoming numerous visitors again this year and confirming that Drniš offers much more than just wine and food, including its rich heritage and unique nature.
Joso Smolić, vice president of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, sees such events as an important platform for preserving domestic production and promoting Croatian indigenous products. "Drniš prosciutto is one of the best examples of how knowledge, tradition, and dedicated work can be turned into a product that carries a European quality label and enjoys a reputation among consumers," Smolić said. He believes festivals allow producers' work to be presented to a wider audience and further linked to the development of the local economy and tourism.
