Music Festivals in Dubrovnik in 2022
Most travelers come to Dubrovnik to explore the walled Old Town area that has become famous the world over. Even before the Game of Thrones series enthralled fans with its depiction of Dubrovnik’s medieval quarter, this city was a popular destination for those looking to appreciate the rich history amidst the gorgeous Adriatic backdrop.
The Pearl of the Adriatic offers more than just beaches, Medieval ramparts, and the breeze off the bay. Dubrovnik’s cultural offerings are second to none in Croatia, and music is an integral part of that experience. Whether it’s traditional Croatian folk music played on the streets or world-famous DJs turning the clubs and beaches into all-day (or all-night) dance parties, Dubrovnik is a premier music destination in Europe.
There might not be as many music festivals in Dubrovnik as there are in Barcelona or Los Angeles, but this city is the perfect destination to complement a weekend music festival in Croatia. Whether you’re staying in town for standout local festivals like Dubrovnik Summer Festival or Higher Dubrovnik, or traveling through on your way to another city for Dimensions Festival, or Hideout Festival, it’s crucial to have luggage storage options with Bounce to simplify your logistics.
With all that planning, we’ve made it easier to choose which festival to go to. And, if you need any help getting around, we have a guide for that too. Here are our picks for the best music festivals in Dubrovnik and Croatia for 2022:
Higher Dubrovnik
Dates: September 23-27th, 2022
Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Returning to Dubrovnik for the third year in a row, this multi-venue event is again hosted by techno megastars Solardo. This iconic Manchester duo's musical depth will bring together another slate of unmissable DJ sets, beach parties, and raves in 2022. Partnering with Pollen Presents, Solardo has curated one of the summer’s best lineups, with premier names in techno, EDM, and other electronic genres.
These unmissable DJ sets will be showcased throughout the city, with a number of premier venues that boast both high-end audio and luxurious settings. Attendees can enjoy the beats while also taking in gorgeous views of the beach, Adriatic waters, and historic Old Town. The setting, lineup, and crowd make for an unmissable experience.
Who’s Playing?
Solardo, Andrea Oliva, Ben Hemsley, Chelina Manuhutu, Cici, Elli Acula, Eli Brown, FJAAK, Joshua James, Kettama, Late Replies, Lee Foss, Libero, Mall Grab, Marco Carola, Mason Maynard, Maya Jane Coles, Nic Fanciulli, Nicole Moudaber, Shermanology, SOSA, Steel City Dance Discs, Tini Gessler, Vintage Culture, and wAFF.
Tickets:
Accommodation and ticket packages start at £529. There are numerous ticket packages that include party passes to local venues and clubs. Weekend passes for festival admission start at £249.
How to Get There:
Higher Dubrovnik’s DJ Sets and Parties take place in various venues around Dubrovnik. Venues include Revelin Terrace, Copacabana Beach and Resort, The Revelin Cave, and the Lazareti Arts Space. Because there are multiple venues, it’s even more important to plan ahead.
Where to Stay:
While there are ticket packages that include accommodation, there are plenty of lodging options that are conveniently located near the venues. Elegant luxury rooms can be found at Valamar Lacroma, Valamar Argosy Hotel, and the Valamar Collection Dubrovnik. The Tirena Sunny Hotel is also nearby. Fortunately, any hotel within the city center or Old Town will be walkable to the venues.
All of these hotel options are just a few minutes on foot from Bounce’s Old Town and Stradun storage locations.
Sea Star Festival
Dates: May 27th-28th 2022
Location: Umag, Croatia
Held on the Stella Maris Lagoon Resort’s breathtaking beachfront, Sea Star Festival is a relative newcomer in the crowded Croatian festival circuit. And yet, they have utilized their gorgeous site and booking know-how to become one of the best music festivals in Croatia. The programming focuses on booking world-renowned pop stars and building a lineup of thoughtfully-curated electronic, pop, and R&B acts that make for a wonderful boutique festival experience. While the festival grounds are prone to turning into a massive dance party (this is a good thing), the small town of Umag is remote enough that a full weekend of music can be enjoyed in a relaxing manner, with spa treatments and luxury experiences that will please just about anyone.
Who’s Playing?
Amelie Lens, Iggy Azaelia, Meduza, Umek, Dubioza Kolektiv, Farrago, Vojko V, Insolate, Brina Knauss, Kuku$, Buntai, Marcel, Andrea Ljekaj, Bronski, DJ Gumja and Rasheed plus many more sets throughout the weekend.
How to Get There:
The closest major city to Umag is Rijeka, which is where most routes go through. Flying into Zagreb and taking the train through Rijeka is the usual route. Driving up the coast through Split from Dubrovnik is the best bet to get to the iconic sands and coastal city for this music festival.
INmusic Festival
Dates: June 20th-23rd 2022
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
This spring marks the 15th anniversary of Croatia’s premier rock and pop music festival. To mark the occasion, festival promoters have expanded the event to four days of camping, music, and culture. Held on the island of urban Lake Jarun within Zagreb, INmusic Festival offers a rare opportunity for the full camping festival experience, without having to travel far from the city. The impeccably-curated lineup draws from today’s hottest bands, world-famous legacy acts, and rare performances from cult bands.
Who’s Playing?
The 2022 lineup includes stalwart rock, hip-hop, electronic, and pop acts such as The Killers, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Deftones, Kasabian, Royal Blood, IDLES, White Lies, Fontaines DC, Rival Sons, The Comet Is Coming.
Can’t make it this year? Past headliners and performers include The Cure, Garbage, Foals, David Byrne, Interpol, Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine, and PJ Harvey so keep an eye out for next year!
Tickets:
4-Day Tickets start at 91 euros, single days are 70 euros. Camping passes start at 35 euros.
How to Get There:
If you’re traveling through Croatia, then a stop in the nation’s capital for a music festival is a great way to spend a weekend. After that? The best thing to do would be to travel down the country’s famous Dalmatian coastline. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car and stop in cities like Split and Zadar. This is a great way to see the best sights that Croatia has to offer and get to know the different cities. Wanting to go direct? The flight is just a few hours from Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb (ZAG) to Dubrovnik Airport.
SuncéBeat
Dates: July 21-28, 2022
Location: Tisno, Croatia
Croatia certainly specializes in dance-forward music festivals taking place in idyllic beach locations, and SuncéBeat is no different. Yet, this promotion sets itself apart from the pack with a thoughtfully-curated lineup of underground and up-and-coming house, techno, R&B, funk, and disco acts that aficionados the world over travel to see. Outside of the world-class DJ sets, music lovers can enjoy boat parties, hiking, and spa treatments for the ideal alternative Croatian retreat.
Who’s Playing?
David Morales, The Blessed Madonna, Ultra Nate, Dam Swindle, Kerri Chandler, Kenny Dope, Dave Lee ZR, Mark Farina, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Ash Lauryn, Demuja, Miguel Migs, Emmaculate, and many more.
Tickets:
Seven-day tickets start at $296, with upgrade packages that include boat parties, and accommodation. Single-day tickets start at $73. There are also combination tickets for four-day stays, which makes it easy to customize your experience. There are also tickets available through third-party providers. RV rentals are also on offer, which makes for an intriguing opportunity to explore the coast in between shows!
How to Get There:
Held at the iconic Garden of Tisno Resort in coastal Tisno, this is not exactly a fly-in and Uber to the festival situation. The nearest airport is Zadar, and once you land you’ll have to drive about 90 minutes to the resort. Shuttles are also available. The drive from Dubrovnik is as scenic as you get, with miles of Dalmatian coast to enjoy, and plenty of seaside towns to explore.
Day & Night Festival
Dates: July 25-29, 2022
Location: Novalja, Croatia
After a decade hiatus, the legendary promotion Day & Night Festival makes its much-anticipated return to Zrće Beach in Novalja. The classic format of beach raves, packed clubs, and boat parties returns to some of Croatia’s most iconic music venues. Legendary spaces like Aquarius, Nomad, and Papaya welcome die-hard EDM and techno fans from all over the world for a weekend of sun-soaked day parties, and beat-driven all-nighters.
Who’s Playing?
ACRAZE, Ben Nicky, Blasterjaxx, Boro Boro, Da Tweekaz, HUGEL, James Hype, Lost Identity, Marnik, MORTEN, Rhove, Rudeejay, SLVR, Topic, Tujamo, W&WWill, Sparks Zonderling.
Tickets:
General Admission: $79.80 Single Day Passes. Packages that include hotel and VIP experiences are available.
How to Get There:
Most festival attendees fly in through Zemunik Airport in nearby Zadar. From there it’s a 90-minute drive through gorgeous country roads to coastal Nadalja. The most convenient and affordable way to get from Dubrovnik to Zrće beach is driving, which altogether takes about 5 hours. The route can only be described as scenic, as the entire way you’ll be navigating craggy coastlines and lush countryside.
Planning on staying some more days in Dubrovnik?
Whether you are dropping in for just a day of the music festival or going all in for a full weekend, there are plenty of ways to have an amazing time in Dubrovnik before (or after) the music starts. If you’re in Dubrovnik for three days or just traveling through, there are plenty of fun itineraries that make the most of this historic city.
Getting Around Dubrovnik
Unless you’re staying outside of the city, Dubrovnik is incredibly walkable. The walled Old City is completely pedestrianized, so your only option is to navigate it by foot. There is little need for taxis or rideshares unless you’re in a hurry and traveling between different ends of the city or commuting in from Dubrovnik Airport, where Bounce has a convenient storage facility. There is also a shuttle service that lands you right in the city center.
If you’re traveling from Italy or up the Dalmation Coast, one of the best ways to get to Dubrovnik is by boat. There are ferries and cruise ships that dock in the port of Dubrovnik every day. The port is accessible by foot and bus to the Old City and central neighborhoods.
As you travel around the city, keep an eye out for some excellent Dubrovnik street food and tons of amazing restaurants.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
There are plenty of options for lodging in Dubrovnik. Given the relatively small size of the city, your location isn’t as crucial for conveniently exploring Old Town or the city centre. There are pricey hotels within the city walls, which make for an excellent “treat yourself” experience or special occasion. But most visitors find hotels or hostels just outside Old Town with plenty of access to the best landmarks, restaurants, and bars. Check out the neighborhood guide to find the spot to recover from an unforgettable music festival experience.
Dubrovnik may not have the cachet of Berlin or Barcelona when it comes to live music, but visiting this city offers plenty of opportunities to explore a historic city, and get to the beach to experience a world-class music festival. Croatia absolutely punches above its weight class in offering dozens of options year-round for excellent live music. The summer months are jam-packed with more music festivals than your average country, and all of them seem to take place in scenic parks and gorgeous beaches on the Adriatic sea.
No visit to Croatia is complete without touring Dubrovnik’s walled city, and the best way to make it the trip of a lifetime is to take in one of the country’s amazing music festivals. Music festivals require quite a bit of logistics, let Bounce take care of the luggage so you can dance carefree at the best Dubrovnik summer festival!
