Rijeka Carnival: the fifth season
Rijeka does not have four seasons but five. The fifth is Carnival, and it takes over the city every year before Lent. The International Carnival was founded in 1982 and is now the largest in Croatia.
The 2027 season:
• 22 January: Carnival Queen pageant and the handover of the city keys – from now on the masks rule.
• 30 January: Children’s carnival parade, perfect for families.
• 7 February: the big international parade through the city centre, the highlight of the year.
The carnival sees itself as a smiling critic of society, and many groups poke fun at current topics with their costumes and floats. The surrounding towns join in too: Kostrena has its own carnival and its Špažićari group takes part in the Rijeka parade, while Grobnik and Platak hold their own masquerades.
The mascot since 1991 is the Morčić, the little turbaned head you can take home as an earring or pendant.
Tip: arrive early for the main parade and find a spot along the route. Book accommodation for parade weekend in good time. The tourist board sells tickets for some events through its online shop.