Colors of Zadar - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Travelers are usually attracted not only by numerous places of interest of Zadar, but also by its rich calendar of cultural events. Throughout a year the city hosts many interesting holidays, festivals and fairs, visiting which will be interesting to every tourist. Late April is a traditional time for the festival "Days of Flowers". The festival lasts three days and is accompanied by numerous interesting recreational activities. Participants of the exciting event are welcome to visit interesting environmental seminars and learn about the methods of growing flowers. Numerous flower exhibitions are held here every day. They are a great opportunity to see masterpieces of the country's best florists. During the festival are traditionally organized various competitions. Fashion show is without a doubt one of the most spectacular sights.

The city trade fair is a no less interesting celebration, which traditionally takes place in the period from June to August. On weekends numerous stalls are installed in the main streets and squares of the city. Here visitors are welcome to purchase numerous fresh products, various sweets, sweet wine and interesting souvenirs. Full Moon Festival is a very original and "mysterious" event, which takes place in July. In the night of the full moon people leave their houses to participate in various mass festivities. Singing and dancing do not stop in the streets until dawn. The locals light their way with torches and candles, visit their friends and participate in funny competitions. Without a doubt, this is one of the most colorful and warm holidays in the city, so it traditionally attracts a lot of foreign tourists. Visitors of the city feel very cozy and comfortable because during the days of such celebrations all ethnic differences disappear and the city is immersed in an indescribable atmosphere of excitement and fairy tale.

September is the time for the famous pirate festival, the main activity of which is a colorful carnival. During the holiday the streets of the city are full of people and cheerful companies dressed in pirate costumes. People have fun and relax enjoying the carefree atmosphere of the holiday. Early October is the time for Maritime Festival, participating in which will be interesting for everyone. The celebration includes numerous concerts, exhibitions and special demonstrations. Craftsmen show the public beautiful handmade models of ships, cooks try to surprise guests with original "sea" delicacies, and craftsmen offer their customers most unusual crafts. Participation in national holidays will definitely bring a lot of unforgettable impressions and will diversify your program of rest. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Glazbene Veceri sv. Donatu (or Music Evening of St. Donatus) is one more interesting festival in Zadar, thanks to which everyone can listen to gorgeous classic and modern music performed by orchestras from different parts of the world. The fabulous event lasts whole July and is usually held at Crkva sv. Donata. It is hard to think of a better location for the festival than a church with unique acoustic properties. During Glazbene Veceri sv. Donatu, the building becomes filled with mesmerizing sounds of angelic music. The event is very reputable and widely recognized as one of the oldest in Croatia. During this fantastic celebration, travelers can also get acquainted with the cultural heritage of the city, and the mesmerizing atmosphere of the event is simply perfect for that.

Zadarsko Kazalisno Ljeto or Zadar Theatre Summer is one more festival that attracts travelers interested in unusual and exciting theatrical performances. Numerous concert halls, landmarks, and theatres of the city participate in the event. Therefore, don't forget to check the schedule of upcoming events in order not to miss something truly unforgettable. The festival brings together many theatrical and dancing troops from all regions of Croatia. There is one more theatre-related festival in Zadar that takes place on the streets of the Old Town and in numerous churches. It is called Zadar Snova (Zadar’s Dreams) and usually takes place at the end of July or the beginning of August.

Travelers who visit the city at the beginning of May come right in time for Zadar Outdoor Festival. This is an incredible holiday for all fans of active recreation. Zadar Outdoor Festival is a great way to discover the exciting world of sport, including ground-based types of sport (cycling, karting, running) and water-based activities (regatta, swimming marathon, kayaking). It wouldn’t be easy to organize such a festival in the majority of popular tourist destinations. However, Zadar is one of the most famous resorts of the Mediterranean Sea, so it is perfectly suitable for different kinds of sports. Needless to say, travelers from all parts of the world arrive in the city in order to attend this festival. Zadar becomes an epicenter of fun and action during the days of the event.

In Zadar’s neighborhood, (namely, in the town of Pag) travelers are welcome to participate in a colorful carnival. The carnival doesn’t have a fixed date as it depends on the Baptism of Christ and the start of the Lent (the event falls to the first Saturday after the Baptism of Christ and lasts until the first day of the Lent). This carnival has a very old tradition of burning the scarecrow called Marco. This is a symbolic action that reflects the victory of good over evil and faith in a better future. The festival has an amazing atmosphere that is warm and family-like at the same time. Numerous parties and masquerades, which regularly take place at restaurants and hotels of the city, attract hundreds of people who want to relax and have fun. The carnival culminates with a series of festive events on the main square of Pag. New Year in Zadar is a simply magical time. The city hosts interesting concerts, fair trades, and exhibitions. A special magical atmosphere makes a vacation in Zadar truly unforgettable during this season.