Are you ready to end the summer in style? You’ve come to the right place! Traditionally, all roads lead to Varaždin during the second half of August, where Croatia’s largest street festival, Špancirfest, kicks off in just over a week. This year’s special 25th anniversary edition of the festival, unfolding on the most beautiful outdoor stage in the historical centre of the city, shares a magical journey through music, art and entertainment. More than 500 different programs sparking countless unforgettable moments invite you to experience Špancirfest for yourself, from 18 – 27 August.
Music sensations of regional & global calibre
Music sensations at a global level; from Franz Ferdinand to Perpetuum Jazzile and all this for free? Yes, that’s right, the Scottish rockers are heading to Špancirfest! The great thing is, to enjoy their music you don’t even need to buy a ticket at all, as the concert, together with all performances featured on the main PAN Festival Stage at the Old Town – are completely free to enjoy!
Along with them, look forward to a long list of talent including the young Slovenian rock attraction, Joker Out, TBF, Silente, Neno Belan & Fiumens & Brass Experience, The Croatian Pink Floyd Show, Buč Kesidi and Parni valjak feat. Igor Drvenkar. The global attraction, vocal group Perpetuum Jazzile are set to perform on the first day of Špancirfest on the beautiful Villa Bedeković Stage powered by Kaufland – the only place where tickets are purchased, showcasing a creatively designed music and theatre program.
It’s not just the main stages where you’ll hear music over the 10-day summer of Špancirfest. Feet-tapping beats, tunes and rhythms on almost every corner of the historic core of the city, on smaller and pop-up stages, and also along the streets and squares. During the ten days of the festival, more than 200 music programs of a range of musical styles – there really is something for everyone!
Street art leaving you breathless – orchestra of sirens, luminous robots, jumping stilt walkers, weird & wonderful vehicles…
Street performers, that have almost become a trademark of Špancirfest, are responsible for that unique charming energy that you feel in Varaždin, no matter which day you visit of the festival. Arriving from more than a dozen countries from around the world, together they’ll showcase more than 70 attractive, energetic and extremely colourful performances, giving you some perfect Instagram pics – guaranteed. At Špancirfest you’ll experience so many talented street performances, that you have never seen before – except perhaps in photographs.
The French Siren Orchestra make their debut in Croatia with their curiously quirky, large and attractive musical locomotives. Compatriot Nicolas Bras will be ready to entertain you by playing as many as 17 different instruments crafted by recycled materials. Not forgetting the Italian family La Famiglia Mirabella, essentially leaving you breathless with their performances in-the-air. Luminous robots on stilts, human-water-creatures from the depths of the sea, stilt walkers on jumping stilts and weird and wonderful vehicles that create space flashes, are just a flavour of the characters you’ll get to know in this beautiful street fairy-tale.
Innovation & inspiration with 100 exhibitors
The colourful streets of Varaždin become even more vibrant and charming during Špancirfest all thanks to the playful, appealing colours of the exhibition booths and stands, offering a wide variety of products, from traditional to modern, as well as authentic delicacies. The city’s most charming street, which transforms into “Kreativnica” (Creative Street), showcases the talents of as many as 50 creative artisans, with their creative and innovative products, each one with their own inspiring story to share. A woman’s tie, dream diary, extraordinary posters, wooden works of art, unique pens, jewellery, designer clothing – all just a taste of some of the products you’ll discover at Špancirfest
Foodies Heaven – an even richer selection of food & drink
The culinary offer at Špancirfest has never been more lavish ready to capture your taste-buds at first bite! The Špancir Burger Festival offers a mighty selection of dozens of the best burgers. Wine City showcases 500 types of wine, and in addition, two famous Chefs, Melkior Bašić and Damir Tomljanović, will put together tasty mouth-watering surprise dishes in both, Wine City and the Špancir Burger Festival.
Close to the Old Town, there are two food and drink zones – Vinski grad and Carlsberg Food & Party zone, proud of their gourmet delights. Ferdinand Dumplings, available on Franjevacki Square, are already a sensation in some Croatian cities, and while strolling through the streets and squares, you’ll find it hard to resist the delicious homemade cakes and traditional klipič. The only dilemma you’ll have is listening to your taste-buds as to which choice to make!
All programs, except those at the Villa Bedeković Stage powered by Kaufland, are completely free. Get your tickets for plays and concerts at the Villa via www.eventim.hr
