Croatia in September 2026 - Travel Tips & Fall Festivals
- Jessica Cerović
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
September, or Rujan in Croatian, is the beginning of Autumn, or Jesen. If you are traveling to Croatia in September, you will notice the change of the seasons in the wind. The month can still be very warm at times, but you will begin to see cooler days as well, especially in the northern and more mountainous parts of the country. The peak tourist season has ended for the year, which means accommodation prices go down and everywhere is less crowded. September is one of the main months for grape and olive harvesting throughout the country's vast amount of wineries and groves. With more mild weather, the country is full of events and festivals to enjoy outside that take on less of a beach vibe and more of a fall theme.
Fisherman's Week in Crikvenica: August 29th-September 5th
This festival celebrates Crikvenica's maritime and fishing traditions with a wooden boat regatta, children's workshops, free panoramic boat rides, local food and wine and live music.
Highlander Velebit in Velebit: August 31st-September 5th
This mountaineering event promotes not only a healthy lifestyle but a love of nature as well. The event begins at the Zavižan mountain peak in the Northern Velebit National Park, traveling on Premužić's trail, which offers breathtaking natural scenery, then continues near Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi and passes through several pastures and forests, ending in Starigrad – Paklenica.
An educational and entertainment program, massage and yoga await hikers at the checkpoints. Participants have the option of choosing a longer or shorter route: 104 km (5 days, HIGHLANDER Hercules), 48 km (3 days, HIGHLANDER Pegasus), and 31 km (weekend adventure, HIGHLANDER Orion).
International Festival Taste the Mediterranean in Mali Lošinj: September 9th-13th
A festival that presents, promotes and preserves Mediterranean food, gastronomy and domestic products, as well as Mediterranean cultural heritage and Mediterranean way of life. Featuring the best foreign and Croatian chefs, all with Michelin stars, food producers, winemakers and other experts from the field of gastronomy, sustainable tourism, agriculture and fishing. Professional workshops, lectures, panels, masterclasses by world culinary stars, wine tastings and dinners from the best restaurants also take place during the festival.
Međunarodni Festival Čipke (International Lace Making Festival) in Lepoglava: September 11th-13th
This festival on the island of Pag includes a parade through the main street of town with a brass band, woodwind orchestra and several cultural and artistic groups participating. There will be workshops, exhibitions, lectures and cultural and entertainment events all focused around this ethnographic skill.
Vinkovačke Jeseni/Vinkovci Autumn in Vinkovci: September 11th-2oth
This event marks the official beginning of Autumn rewarding Slavonians the most for their hard work. It is considered one of the most important festivals in Croatia and the goal is to get more tourists to understand the culture of the Slavonian people with traditional clothing, music, dialects and other customs.
Mjesec Plave Ribe/Blue Fish Month in Crikvenica: September 15th - Oct. 15th
Also called "Oily Fish Month" this event brings together local restaurants and hotels from the Crikvenica Riviera featuring oily fish dishes on their menus. Other festivities include art workshops for children, cooking shows, wine tastings, live music performances and more.
Festival Visualia and Pula X Race in Pula: September 17th-19th
This was the first festival of lights in Croatia beginning in 2013. The festival received the Guinness World Record in the Arena colosseum for the largest photography of people forming a light sign, called the "Light Postcard" in 2015. Installations are set up all around the city and on the last night the Pula X Race (night race) takes place. Runners have a choice of completing a 5k or a 10k.
Cheese Festival in Svetinčenat:
September 19th-2oth
This festival brings together the best cheese makers from Croatia offering cheese lovers a chance to sample, as well as see old Istrian crafts and their traditional Sheep Show where they select Mister and Miss Goat.
FOODIES! Find out all the other Croatian cuisine you have got to try HERE!
You know what goes great with Croatian cheese? CROATIAN WINE!
Before you visit, read our articles, 5 Most Important Travel Tips for Croatia
Dani u Vali/Days In The Bay in Stari Grad, Hvar Island: September 17th-2oth
An international festival of the sea and seamen with traditional boats from Istria to Neretva. This event includes workshops, presentations, lectures, music, food and drink and a nighttime boat parade called, The Dance of Sails and Lights.
Rijeka Boat Show in Rijeka: September 24th-27th
This event is for all nautical enthusiasts, boaters, sailors and fishermen. Exhibitors will display their assortment of vessels, boat engines and equipment.
Fall festivals fill the calendar from music makers to hikers, wine to cheese and sailors to cyclists, there is something for everyone traveling to Croatia in September.
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