Choir concert, procession, two music stages, folk games and sport: Novigrad celebrates its patron saint and City Day. Anyone looking only at the headline names will miss the real structure of this weekend.
The festival begins one evening before the official weekend
Novigrad–Cittanova celebrates its patron saint, Saint Pelagius, and City Day from 28 to 30 August 2026. The cultural opening, however, is already on Thursday, 27 August: at 19:30, choirs from Novigrad perform together in the parish church of Saints Pelagius and Maximus.
The city describes three actual festival days with concerts, folk games and sport; including the choir evening, the visitor programme spans four evenings. Golden Beach therefore uses 27 to 30 August in the title without redefining the official festival period.
On Friday, the city's patron comes first
On Friday, 28 August, the procession with the statue and relics of Saint Pelagius begins at 11:00. It starts at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and proceeds to the parish church of Saint Pelagius, where the solemn Mass follows.
In the evening, the ceremonial session of the City Council takes place at the cultural and events centre. A promenade concert by the Naša Sloga Babići brass band also moves through the old-town streets. The weekend is therefore not simply a music festival, but also a patronal feast and municipal holiday.
Friday night's concerts are divided between two places
At Porporela, Acoustic Invasion opens the concert evening at 20:30. Gustafi follow at 22:00, after which DJ Neno takes over. At Veliki trg, the group Febra plays from 21:00.
To see a particular performance, mark not only the time but also the venue. Veliki trg and Porporela are both central, but they are separate stages. A place at one does not provide a view of the programme on the other.
Saturday brings together Josipa Lisac, blues, hip-hop and rock
Saturday begins during the day with promenade appearances by international brass bands as part of Croatia Brass Fest. In the evening, Josipa Lisac sings at 21:00 on Veliki trg. Barbara Blue with the Hutch Blues Band follows.
At Porporela, DJ Peconni starts at 20:00, Connect follows at 21:00 and Kožne Jakne at 22:00. According to the city, DJ FBI continues the programme until 03:00. The parallel line-up serves different musical tastes, but requires a choice when performances overlap.
Novigrad · 27–30 August
Four days, three layers of the city festival
Sunday ends with voices, Oliver songs and fireworks
On Sunday, 30 August, Perpetuum Jazzile performs at 21:00 on Veliki trg, followed by DJ Mister G. At Porporela, DJ Sosa opens the evening before the programme ‘Tragom Olivera’, dedicated to the songs of Oliver Dragojević, begins at 22:00.
The city announces fireworks over the sea at midnight. Weather, wind and official safety decisions can change such a finale at short notice. Anyone travelling solely for it should check the city's current notices again on Sunday.
Pučke igre and fishermen keep the local element visible
The Fešta days include folk and skill games at Porporela. The city says participation is free and refers readers to its dedicated Pučke igre page for registration and disciplines. The games are not incidental warm-up entertainment, but a meeting point for associations, families and local teams.
Fishermen from Novigrad accompany the weekend with food from the sea. Brodet is announced for participants, with grilled sardines on Sunday. Golden Beach does not turn this into free catering for every visitor or a fixed menu; the publication explicitly describes the setting of the games.
The 20th Đira od Cittanove covers 37 kilometres
Sunday's sporting focus is the 20th edition of Đira od Cittanove. The city describes a 37-kilometre recreational cycling circuit. Novigrad associations also organise further tournaments and events at the city's sports facilities.
A distance does not replace a route map, start time, age rule or helmet requirement. Anyone wishing to participate needs the organiser's current entry information. Visitors should expect temporarily heavier bicycle and pedestrian traffic around sporting events without inferring unconfirmed road closures.
How the weekend remains manageable despite parallel events
Before visiting, save a personal plan with date, time and place: church and procession on Friday morning, Veliki trg or Porporela in the evening and, if relevant, sport on Sunday. Arriving early is sensible for very popular concerts, although the city's overview gives no specific entry rules or reserved spectator zones.
The old town will be busier than usual on these days. Golden Beach therefore promises neither a free parking space nor a particular access route. Check current programme changes, weather notices and municipal traffic rules on Novigrad's official page on the day – especially when one performance or the fireworks is the main reason for travelling.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
- Fešta sv. Pelagija, najvažniji novigradski vikendCity of Novigrad–Cittanova · 25 August 2026, checked 26 August 2026festival period, choir opening, music programme on both stages, folk and sports games, fishermen's contribution, Đira od Cittanove and announced fireworks
- Slavlje sv. Pelagija / La Festa di San PelagioCity of Novigrad–Cittanova · event on 28 August 2026, checked 26 August 2026procession starting at 11:00, route between the churches and subsequent solemn Mass
- Feast of St. Pelagius – official event galleryNovigrad-Cittanova Tourist Board / Colours of Istria · live event page, checked 26 August 2026official archive images from earlier editions; the concert and fireworks photographs are expressly not presented as images from the 2026 programme year
