Easter
March/April
Croatia is a religious country (some 86% of the population identify themselves as Catholic) so being here over Holy Week gives a good insight into how big a part faith plays in the life of some locals. The main place of worship is the Church of St Peter and Paul, a neo-Gothic structure.
Urban Fest Osijek
June
A music festival that’s now been running for a full decade, Urban Fest Osijek (known as UFO for short) showcases all manner of genres, from punk and metal to pop and rock. Dance music, film and photography also play a part in what is one of the main events of the cultural calendar.
Osijek Summer Nights
June-July
The baroque squares and streets of the town centre host all manner of art performances and cultural events over the summer, among them literary talks, film screenings, theatre productions, music concerts and exhibitions. There’s a local flavour – most performers are from the Slavonia region, but others come from different parts of Croatia.
Osijek Beer Festival
September-October
Central and Eastern Europe are renowned for the quality of their beer, and this four-day event in late September or early October is a great way of sampling some of the best brews Croatia has to offer, at the same time as sharing a few drinks with locals.
Independence Day
8 October
A national holiday to mark the date in 1991 when Croatia officially terminated its links with Yugoslavia, Independence Day is celebrated nationwide. The fact that the separation took place relatively recently means that national pride runs strong.