Events in Tivat
Tivat is mostly known these days for its superyacht marina, Porto Montenegro, and as a treasure trove of pristine natural beauty but it is also a vibrant hub of local festivities. There are numerous events in Tivat organized year-round, here is our overview of the most important ones grouped by month – there is always something going on and worth seeing.
Events in January
While most Western European Christmas Markets already close down the day before Christmas Eve, the festivities still continue in Tivat, with Christmas markets and bazaars staying open until January 15th. With warmer temperatures, more sunshine, and more live concerts (they are popular here to keep you in high spirits), being in Tivat during January does not sound like a bad idea actually.
New Year’s Celebrations
The New Year’s celebrations are an exciting 3-day event (31st – January 2nd) happening on Tivat’s Pine Promenade and featuring many big regional Balkan music acts. Remember that New Year is celebrated before Christmas in Montenegro because of their use of the Julian calendar.
Winter Wonderland Lustica Bay
The festive spirits are also felt in Lustica Bay this cold season under the umbrella of the Winter Wonderland, a cozy event that takes place from mid-December to January 15th in the marina village. The program is geared towards the whole family and includes a stylish winter dome – perfect for a spiced winter drink – alongside lots of live music, arts & crafts exhibitions, and the very popular kid’s carousel.
Events in February
As in many other Boka coastal towns, Tivat will also organize a Winter Carnival in February. Expect an eclectic mix of processions, floats, colorful masks & costumes, and plenty of singing and dancing. One of the highlights will be the burning of a huge effigy in front of the Saint Roch Church in Donja Lastva.
The Superyacht Winter Games is an exclusive event for Porto Montenegro Crew Club members as well as visiting captains, crews, and owners from the wider yachting community. The buoyant program is scheduled for the first weekend in February (2nd – 4th) and foresees teams of four competing in winter sports activities such as the hilarious big foot racing.
Events in March
The only notable event in March is the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club’s Match Race during which crews of 4 -5 challenge each other in pairs on J70 keelboats. A must for sailing and nautical enthusiasts, this 3-day match race kicks off the regatta season in Montenegro.
Events in April
The Tivat Wind Fest is an annual event that takes place over five weekends in April and May and boasts a rich cultural and sports offering, including many concerts, regattas, and other forms of entertainment for both adults and children.
Probably Tivat’s most popular trail run race, and the most challenging, the Boka Bay Trail (green course) takes competitors from Porto Montenegro’s waterfront through the Mount Vrmac grueling climbs to Kotor Cathedral, offering striking panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor along the way. With 17 kilometers and a total elevation gain of 800 meters, this is not for the faint-hearted.
But there are also longer, more challenging trails available such as the 82-km-long Grey Course which gains 3911 meters of elevation as it traverses the mountainscapes backing the northern part of Boka Bay. This route starts in Herceg Novi and takes runners all the way to the beauty of Kotor’s Old Town.
Events in May
May is one of the most pleasant months of the year in Tivat, with a mild climate that is neither too hot nor too cold for any sort of outdoor activity and already gives a taste of the approaching summer season. The arrival of May brings a deep sense of enthusiasm for life to Montenegro, with outdoor terraces and piazzas bristling with chatter and activity.
The Days of Magnolia festival is traditionally held in May as well and is very popular with gardening hobbyists and flower enthusiasts. In an official ceremony, the most beautiful gardens in the municipality of Tivat are crowned and this is followed up by a range of cultural events including exhibitions and literary evenings.
Events in June
The increasingly popular Chicory Festival is held in early June each year to celebrate the beauty and vibrancy of the blue-flowered Chicory plant. The event attracts thousands of visitors each year and covers Tivat’s Pine Promenade in flowers and entertainment, and there’s good local and Dalmatian folk music to liven up the event. Expect to sample many sweet and savory chicory dishes, including creative recipes with seafood, meat, pies, and risotto.
The International Summer Carnival is held in Tivat every June, marking the start of the summer tourist season. Several regional and international carnival clubs will be parading the streets of Tivat then with colorful costumes and masks. This is one of the most popular events for a good reason: the atmosphere is always cheerful, locals and visitors dance and sing, and there is even an intriguing masquerade ball on board a ship.
The Lustica Bay Aquathlon returns to Tivat with many athletes coming to compete in swimming and running. The swim course – 1000m – follows the route from Marina Beach to Chedi Lustica Bay Beach, where competitors can expect a wild, beautiful shore and views of steep cliffs and the marina village. For the 5 km-long run, athletes will traverse the picturesque and hilly streets of Lustica Bay. There are also separate races for children and teenagers.
Lustica Bay’s marina village plays host to the annual Hello Summer Festival which takes place at the end of every June. This is a small fair with market stands selling homemade produce, natural cosmetics, and all sorts of artisanal products. Indulge in sweet treats, like traditional jam-packed desserts and authentic Montenegrin cakes. Try the cold-pressed olive oils rich in antioxidants and enjoy exclusive liquors and wines.
One of the most popular music festivals in Tivat, the Made in New York Jazz Festival, is also happening in June. Growing year after year, this event is very popular amongst those visiting Montenegro in early summer as well as with locals and long-term residents, so make sure you book your tickets already in advance.
The eccentric Gumball 3000 Rally does not take place every year but when it does, Porto Montenegro is usually the finish line. Expect to see hundreds of supercar owners displaying their fast toys and celebrating with locals and the yacht-owning crowd during a hedonistic 3-day open-air party.
Events in July
The 2023 Rubix Festival proved a big success with a vibrant atmosphere and an eclectic lineup of stellar artists, including Morcheeba and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This art and music festival is set to be organized each year at the end of July, in the unrivalled setting of Porto Montenegro’s marina village and the backdrop of superyachts. Besides music, visitors can experience numerous art exhibitions, craft workshops & markets showcasing goods from local artisans.
The International Fashion Festival is a three-day event taking place at the end of July in Porto Montenegro. Once again returning with all the glamour and glitz, top-ranked models and renowned designers (Pierre Cardin and Michael Cinco attended in previous years among others) come from all over the world to celebrate together with fashionistas from all over the world, and the local yacht crowd, legendary afterparties included.
The Carob Festival is a local food fair in honor of the evergreen carob tree that is native to the Mediterranean and whose fruit pods are a local specialty. Ground carob flour is of a rich brown color, resembles cocoa powder, and can be turned into the most delicious sweets and cakes – some people even make brandy out of it.
Taking place in mid-July, the Carob Festival is popular with locals and visitors who come here as much for the complimentary treats (all things carob, grilled fish and seafood, homemade brandy and wine) as for the authentic, cheerful atmosphere and live music.
The Bocce Olympics are held at the end of July or the start of August each year in Donja Lastva, a neighborhood of Tivat. Bocce is an ancient ball sport of the Boules family with origins dating back to ancient Roman times. A must for everyone wanting to soak up the atmosphere of a genuinely authentic local event that attracts competitors from across Montenegro and Croatia.
The annual SuperWine fair savors an impressive repertoire and allows budding wine connoisseurs to sample some of the best local and European vinos and to meet like-minded friends and business contacts. Organized in the Buddha-Bar Beach Club, expect lots of positive energy and good music as well.
Four times per year in July and August, an all-embracing blend of exhibitors and artisans shows off their healthy foods, medicinal herbs, and traditional craftsmanship at the Lustica Bay Summer Bazaar. Buy a range of fresh, local produce, and arts & crafts at reasonable prices. There are plenty of stalls selling tasty local specialties, too.
Events in August
The Gastro Weekend in Porto Montenegro is a multi-faceted event combining live music and entertainment for the whole family with a rich culinary offering. Seducing flavors of herb-infused focaccias, pizzas, and gourmet burgers mix with more exotic notes at the market & temporary food stalls. The offer is surely diverse and also includes inventive Asian fusion specialties alongside Indian and Mexican classics.
The Lastva Festival is certainly one of the top events in Tivat and usually kicks off with the Boka Navy Kolo. This traditional circle dance is listed as a cultural heritage under UNESCO. It is not surprising then that the festival program is also long-established and has not once changed in its 50-year history.
Lustica Bay’s August calendar is filled with many interesting open-air events such as jazz concerts, operas, theatre plays, full moon parties on the beach, and many engaging events for the little ones. Traditionally the Porto Montenegro Power Boat Rally is also held in August, attracting many motor aficionados.
Events in September
Every September, Tivat welcomes artists from all parts of the world to take part in the three-day World Music Festival. What makes this event stand out is the eclectic mix of music and cultures performed at three open-air venues, including a stage up in the beautiful, traditional stone village of Gornja Lastva. The World Music Festival is backed up by a rich, international culinary offering.
In the Lustica Bay Uphill Race, you have to fight your way two kilometers uphill as fast as your muscles allow. While it may not sound as much, it could be the most grueling 180-meter elevation gain of your life. This unique and challenging event takes place every September and attracts a colorful crowd of local as well as international runners and cyclists who put both their speed and endurance to the test here.
Events in October
The ACREW Superyacht Crew Awards is an annual event in Porto Montenegro geared toward everyone working in the superyacht industry. Around 500 professionals, including captains and crews, get together in the marina to celebrate and crown the hardest-working crew members from around the world. Their lavish parties are fun and usually have a theme.
Celebrate the spookiest time of year with pumpkin carving and a good old Halloween party. The Tivat Tourist Board will organize pumpkin carving competitions and face painting for the little ones from October 25th to 31st. The older ones celebrate Halloween at the Clubhouse – wear your best costume to win the prize. Alternatively, there is also some serious pumpkin carving, treat hunting, and dancing going on in Lustica Bay on October 30th.
Events in November
Plenty is going on in Tivat during the Days of Culture in November, with art exhibitions, theatre performances, folk music concerts, Klapa singing (traditional a capella), and movie & literary evenings. With several arts-rich and fun events for children, you should put the Days of Culture on your ‘don’t miss this’ family list!
Events in December
The AIMS-certified Boka Marathon will take place on December 17th, 2024 this year. Hundreds of local and international athletes will compete over all distances. Each new kilometer of this iconic race unselfishly unveils another beautiful angle of the Bay of Kotor and its pristine shoreline. The full course takes you from Tivat along the Vrmac peninsula via Stoliv and Prcanj to Kotor’s Old Town.
The Winter’s Tale is a month-long event in December and January, boasting a rich winter holiday season program, including the enchanting Tivat Christmas Market and a series of live concerts every weekend. During this time, stalls are beautifully adorned with glimmering lights and offer an abundance of local festive treats alongside handmade crafts. People also gather here for drinks when the concerts have ended.
The New Year’s celebrations already start on December 30th for the young ones when Santa Claus comes and hands over New Year’s gifts to all children gathered in front of the Christmas tree (note: Christmas gifts are exchanged on New Year’s Eve in Montenegro, not on Christmas Eve.)
For adults, the New Year’s celebrations are traditionally a 3-day event in Montenegro with lots of spectacular fireworks, live concerts, dancing, and singing. Tivat’s event calendar is then filled with the names of the region’s most popular pop and rock music artists. The Christmas market stays open until January 15th.