If you’re in Zagreb during summer or autumn, you’re in for a treat. It’s not wild on every corner, but the city’s got a steady rhythm – local bands playing cool little venues, unexpected jazz nights, art exhibitions that sneak up on you in the best way. Zagreb doesn’t shout; it invites. You’ll find space to breathe, explore, and stumble into something special without even trying too hard. Whether it’s a small festival, a cozy bar with live music, or a gallery tucked away in the center – culture here comes with character, not pressure.
Local Tip: Most venues are within easy reach of the city center by tram or foot.Soundtrack Your Trip: Concert Season This Summer–Fall
If you’re heading to Zagreb this summer or fall, consider planning your visit around the city’s electrifying live music scene. Here’s your month-by-month guide to the must-see concerts lighting up the Croatian capital.Kick things off on Saturday, July 12 with garage rock revivalists The Kills at Tvornica kulture . Then switch gears on Sunday, July 13 , as metal veterans Soulfly shake the walls of Vintage Industrial Bar . July 16 , alternative icons The Dandy Warhols bring their psychedelic cool to Boogaloo , followed by the legendary Life of Agony at Močvara on July 19, expect raw, emotional energy in one of Zagreb’s most beloved underground clubs. Finish July with two open-air powerhouses at Šalata: UK alt-rock legends Skunk Anansie on Sunday, July 20 , and the mighty French metal machine Gojira , returning to Zagreb on Sunday, July 27. August keeps the amps turned up. Hardcore pioneers Black Flag hit Tvornica kulture on August 13, followed by epic fantasy-metal greats Blind Guardian at the same venue on August 23.
Get your 80s fix on Friday, September 5 with Alphaville at Zagrebački Velesajam, then dive into the experimental world of John Maus at Vintage Industrial Bar on September 10.
Before that, don’t miss LMF Festival (September 5–7), three days of pure electronic energy lighting up Zagreb’s late summer with international DJs and open-air vibes.
Then it’s time to go full rave mode: Fair Fest takes over Zagrebački Velesajam on Friday and Saturday, September 12 & 13, with Steve Aoki’s high-voltage show on night one and techno legends Scooter bringing the heat on night two.
Tuesday, September 16 offers a triple threat: post-rock titans Mogwai at Tvornica kulture, 90s alt-darlings The Lemonheads at Vintage, and flamenco masters Barcelona Guitar Trio at Lisinski Hall.
The eclectic vibe continues with Balkan brass sensation Fanfare Ciocărlia at Vintage on September 25 , and a wild Friday (September 26) split between vintage-style jazz-pop from Postmodern Jukebox at Tvornica kulture and beatboxing world fusion artist Dub FX at Boogaloo. Finish the month off with gypsy-punk party starters Gogol Bordello at Tvornica kulture on September 30.
October opens strong with black-metal experimenters Krzysztof Drabikowski + Houle at Močvara on Wednesday, October 1 , and pop icon NENA ("99 Luftballons") at Tvornica kulture on October 3. Swedish prog-metal masters Opeth bring dark elegance to Tvornica kulture on October 7, while The Obsessed + Psychlona rock Močvara on Friday, October 10. Classic rock fans can enjoy Dire Straits Legacy at Tvornica on October 11, while regional rap duo Ajs Nigrutin i Timbe take the mic at Vintage on Thursday, October 16 . The following night, Starsailor blends Britpop nostalgia and emotive rock at Tvornica (Friday, October 17).
October 23, choose between chilled trip-hop pioneers Morcheeba at Tvornica or the bluesy power vocals of Sari Schorr at Boogaloo. Then close the month with politically charged fusion group Asian Dub Foundation at Tvornica on Friday, October 24.
Feel the Beat of Zagreb: Explore the Local Music Scene
October 11 is a rock lover’s dream: choose between blues-rock icon Goran Bare & Majke at Boćarski dom Zrinjevac, or hard rock powerhouse Jelusick at Boogaloo. Wind down on Friday, October 17 with the dreamy, melodic vibes of Mayales at Peti kupe. With a long-standing presence on the Croatian music scene, Mayales is known for their rich, layered sound and poetic lyrics.
On November 7, smooth funk-soul duo Mangroove returns to Boogaloo for a night of jazzy, laid-back grooves. This concert promises to be a true spectacle, featuring Toni Starešinić, frontman of the acclaimed Croatian band Chui and vocal Željka Veverec. Indie pop fans should head to Vintage Industrial Bar for Silente, performing two back-to-back shows on November 13 & 14. Their emotive lyrics and catchy melodies have made them a fan favorite across the region.
And don’t miss the wildest party of the season - Brkovi bring their unique brand of punk-folk chaos to Sax! for three exclusive nights, November 6, 7, and 8.
Jazz Season Heats Up in Zagreb
As golden leaves blanket the streets of Zagreb, the city comes alive with the sound of jazz. From October to December, the Zagreb Jazz Festival transforms the capital into a stage for soul, swing, and world-class musicians. The season opens on October 7 with jazz piano master Fred Hersch, whose intimate, expressive playing sets the tone for the weeks ahead. On October 21, blues and gospel great Eric Bibb performs at Kino SC, followed by the powerful voice of Grammy winner Ledisi on October 25, blending jazz, soul, and R&B into a night to remember.
One of the festival’s standout events comes on November 16, when Kurt Elling and fusion legends The Yellowjackets take the stage at Kino SC to celebrate Weather Report—a must for jazz fusion fans.
The festival concludes on December 16 at Tvornica kulture with Philip Lassiter, the funk-jazz trumpeter known for his high-energy shows and collaborations with Prince, delivering a bold, brassy finale.
Whether you're a jazz lover or simply looking for a unique cultural evening, Zagreb Jazz Festival 2025 offers the perfect soundtrack to autumn in the city. Tickets available online at entrio.hr
Classical Zagreb
Zagreb is a musical city with many strings on its bow, but none are as powerful as the city’s commitment to high-quality classical music. The calendar is packed with sumptuous events all year round, and there is plenty to look forward to. The 44th annual Evenings at Grič is an undeniable highlight, with a variety of artists on tap for the festival. The Zagreb Philharmonic and Academic Choir IGK open the festival on July 4 with a special Mozart Requiem, with the utterly unique Israel Klezmer Orchestra (the only one in the world to play klezmer music) scheduled for July 8. The magic continues with Thomas Dunford and Friends on July 9, the Janoska Ensemble (playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) on July 11, before the festival closes with Lovro Pogorelić (July 15) and the Ardemus Quartet (July 18).
You can always count on the Vatroslav Lisinski Hall to provide something elite, and Croatian pianist Maksim Mrvica definitely fits that bill. One of the most successful Croatian musicians on the planet, Maksim brings his world tour to the capital this November 2, showcasing a stunning ability and feel for crossover classical music. Also at Lisinski, the HRT Symphony Orchestra joins forces with Pascal Rophe (October 9) to play Tchaikovsky’s famous “The Nightingale’s Song,” and the theme continues with a performance of “Puškin’s Wreath” by the HRT Choir (September 30). However, the most exciting classical event this year could well be the latest creation from Katarina Livljanić and Dialogos. “Ariadne Alive” is unlike anything you’ll have seen, a deep dive into melody and mythology built around the magic of the human voice. Livljanić and Dialogos are known for pushing boundaries, and that might be an understatement here. The show can be seen during the Zagreb Opera Festival this September 17.
Art Across Zagreb
Starting June 5 at the Museum of the City of Zagreb, the exhibition “Between the Corset and the Jersey – Women in Sports (1874–1939)” explores the early role of women in sport and the societal challenges they faced. Through six sections, it sheds light on their struggle for movement, visibility, and freedom — running through September 28.
At the Ethnographic Museum, from July to December, “Off the Wall – From Embroidered to Virtually Shared Values” reinterprets traditional wall-hangings through a modern lens. Featuring over 100 heritage pieces alongside works by students of the Academy of Fine Arts and performance artist Vlasta Delimar, the show links folk motifs to today’s digital culture and virtual storytelling. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) presents “Making the World a Better Place” (May 15 – October 12), a major solo exhibition by Croatian artist Andjela Kulunčić, showcasing three decades of socially engaged art that challenges injustice and inspires change.
