Montenegro is a country where culture, tradition, and celebration come alive through a vibrant array of festivals, carnivals, and events. Colorful carnivals fill the streets with music, dance, and costumes. These events attract visitors from around the world, making the country a lively destination year-round.
Mimosa Festival, Herceg Novi
The Mimosa Festival (Praznik mimoze) is a vibrant annual celebration held in Herceg Novi and marking the arrival of spring. Typically held in February, the festival spans several weeks.
The mimosa flower, known for its bright yellow blossoms, is a symbol of spring and renewal. In Herceg Novi, it blooms starting from the end of January and in February, transforming the coastal town into an awesome garden. The festival celebrates this unique natural phenomenon and honors the traditions and community spirit of the region.
The festival includes Mimosa Parade, various street carnivals, a local cuisine showcase, activities for children, and different art and theatre performances.
Budva Carnival
One of the most remarkable annual events in Montenegro is Budva Carnival. It usually takes place at the end of April – beginning of May, several days long. It includes several important parts: Abrum, Grand parade, and Children’s parade. Participants, both locals and guests from different countries, dressed in fantastic costumes and masks, go through the centre of Budva along the seaside promenade to the Old Town.
The music program is also important, featuring a variety of musical genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music.
Budva Carnival unites the traditions of the local community and the influence of modern international tourism.
Fašinada, Perast
Fašinada is the living tradition: it was held for the 574th time in 2025 in Perast, a small historical town in the Bay of Kotor. This annual ceremony takes place on the sunset of July 22nd, each year since the 15th century. Boats go from Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks artificial island made of rocks, and ships full of rocks. The people on boats leave some more rocks to support the structure and stability of the island.
In 2013, the Fašinada event was officially declared a part of Montenegrin cultural heritage.
Grad Teatar, Budva
Festival “Theatre City”, or Grad Teater, is one of the important cultural events in Budva. It takes place during the summer months (usually, from the start of July to the end of August).
The event includes different performances and concerts held in awesome locations. The most popular location is the scene between churches in the heart of Budva Old Town. Other locations include the Mogren Fortress, the Santa Maria in Punta Church, the Poets’ Square, and the Holy Trinity Monastery in Stanjevići.
More details (including purchasing tickets online) are on the event’s website: https://gradteatar.me/
Film Festival, Herceg Novi
The Herceg Novi Film Festival, also known as the Montenegro Film Festival, is the most significant film event in Montenegro, held annually in August. The festival utilizes several historic locations in Herceg Novi: Kanli Kula and Forte Mare fortresses, the house of Ivo Andrić, and Mića Pavlović square. The main festival award is the “Golden Mimosa for Best Film”.
The Herceg Novi Film Festival plays a crucial role in promoting regional and global cinema. For more information on the festival’s program and updates, visit the official website: filmfestival.me
Bedem Fest, Nikšić
Bedem Fest is an annual music and cultural festival held at the historic Bedem Fortress in Nikšić. This event usually takes place in August. Bedem Fest showcases a wide array of musical genres, including rock, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative music.
The historic walls of Bedem Fortress, tracing back to the Roman Empire, provide a unique atmosphere for the festival.
Bokeljska Night, Kotor
Bokeljska Night in Kotor is a celebration of the town’s maritime heritage, held in August along the stunning Bay of Kotor. Historic wooden boats glide through the waters, filled with participants in traditional naval uniforms, reenacting centuries-old seafaring traditions. The huge parade of colourful boats makes a great impression.
The Old Town comes alive with music, folk dancing, local cuisine, and fireworks that illuminate the bay, making it a magical evening of history, culture, and celebration.
Maslinijada, Bar
Maslinijada (the Olive Festival) is an annual event held in Stari Bar (the Old Town of Bar), usually in November. This festival celebrates the region’s traditions of olive cultivation. Local olive growers offer visitors the opportunity to taste and purchase olives, olive oil, and other specialty products. Maslinijada attracts both tourists and locals.
Maslinijada dates back to 2002, when a group of enthusiasts held the very first event.
The picturesque location of Stari Bar contributes to the promotion not only of olive cultivation but also of the historical and cultural heritage of Bar.