From August 21 to 30, Varaždin becomes the hub of music, theater, and street art. The PAN stage will feature Plavi orkestar, Dubioza Kolektiv, and Zabranjeno pušenje, with free parking available for visitors.
From August 21 to 30, 2026, Varaždin will once again transform into Croatia's largest open-air stage for the 28th time. This year's Špancirfest offers as many as 600 diverse programs spread across 23 festival zones within the historic core, reaffirming its status as one of the country's most beloved and best-attended festivals.
The main festival stage at the Old Town is once again reserved for the biggest musical names. The festival opens on August 21 with the emotional concert "Tragom Olivera", a tribute to Oliver Dragojević, whose performance beneath the Old Town remains one of the most attended moments in the festival's history. His timeless songs will be performed by close associates and friends Tedi Spalato, Goran Karan, Petar Dragojević, and the band Delfini.
The following day, August 22, the legendary Plavi orkestar, led by Saša Lošić Loša, takes the same stage for the first time, with songs that have connected generations for decades. Electronic music fans eagerly await August 23, when British band Kosheen will make their Špancirfest debut, having defined the sound of the early new millennium.
The second half of the festival week brings the return of audience favorites. Zabranjeno pušenje, a cult band with over forty years on the regional rock scene, will perform on August 28. The next day, August 29, Dubioza Kolektiv will raise the roof, their explosive live shows having long become a hallmark of the concert program. The festival finale on August 30 will be marked by Silente, one of the most successful domestic bands of the last decade.
The PAN stage program will be complemented by the author project Seine by Varaždin native Ivan Ščapec, and Mostar's Zoster, a band known for their unique blend of reggae, ska, rock, and blues. Both bands perform on August 25, making their festival debut.
The stage at Vila Bedeković this year introduces a refreshed concept with six theater performances and a series of concerts requiring tickets through the Eventim system. The festival opens with the Gala Opening on August 21, blending classical, jazz, swing, and tango performed by Zagrebački solisti, soprano Evelin Novak, Varaždin Trio, Nikola Hrupek, Gelato Sisters, Zdenka Kovačiček, and Swingers Roberta Marekovića.
Sevdah lovers will enjoy the concert of Amira Medunjanin on August 22, and on August 29, one of Croatia's beloved musical divas, Doris Dragović, takes the stage. The final evening on August 30 is dedicated to the most beautiful Italian songs, performed in new tamburica arrangements by the Varaždin Tamburitza Orchestra and soloists Gabriela Hrženjak, Filip Hozjak, and Neven Stipčić.
The theater program features long-running hits that fill venues across Croatia. The lineup includes: "Penzići luduju" (Aug 23), "Iva i Gloria" (Aug 24), "Kako je sve počelo" (Aug 25), "Ljubaf" (Aug 26), "Uspješna.hr" (Aug 27), and "Muškarci.hr" (Aug 28).
Over the ten festival days, Varaždin will pulse to the rhythm of 200 music programs in total. The Carlsberg Food & Party Zone this year focuses on retro sounds, featuring ET (Aug 22), Cargodusjet (Aug 26), Bosak & The Second Hand Band (Aug 27), Cat Paws (Aug 28), and The Bestbeat, Tribute Beatles (Aug 29). The latter's performance holds special significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the legendary Liverpool quartet's final concert.
Music will emanate from every corner of the historic core, from the beloved Heroes of the Street and the unique Music Camper, to brand-new concert experiences at secret locations. Themes for these surprise performances include "A Night in Paris," love songs, music from the film "Tko pjeva, zlo ne misli," and film music, with exact locations revealed to the audience only shortly before each performance.
Free parking is available for all visitors at four locations: near Roto Dinamico at Optujska 157, near Gumiimpex GRP at Mihovila P. Miškine 64B and 64C, at Varaždin City Pools on Zagrebačka 85A and 89, and near the Varteks Auto Club at Biškupečka 3. Free public city transport will be organized from these locations to the city center.
