Carnival Calendar of Zagreb County – February 2026

February in Zagreb County is the time of year when it becomes most visible how strongly events depend on local communities. Carnival here is not the result of a single production, but of many small, hands-on preparations: kindergartens agreeing on costumes, schools rehearsing performances, associations assembling parade groups, and towns and municipalities taking care of what often goes unnoticed but is essential for every programme to function – space management, safety and logistics. This is precisely why Carnival in our county has many faces and many locations, yet a shared foundation: active community participation.

This year, the spotlight is on the 200th edition of the Samobor Carnival, an event that has grown into one of Croatia’s most recognisable winter festivals. At the same time, visitors can enjoy the Turopolje Carnival in Velika Gorica, the Dugo Selo Carnival, the return of the Carnival Parade in Bistra, the Valentine’s Carnival in Pisarovina, as well as programmes designed for children and families in Sveta Nedelja and Sveti Ivan Zelina.

Below is a concise overview of the key dates, locations and highlights by destination.

Velika Gorica | 30 January – 17 February 2026

Velika Gorica hosts the 117th Turopolje Carnival, held this year under the theme “Gorica in Wonderland”.The Carnival programme began on 30 January with the traditional handover of the city keys, when Prince Carnival symbolically takes over authority and officially opens the Carnival season.

The next key date is the Children’s Carnival (Mali fašnik) on Friday, 6 February at 4:30 pm, held in the Secondary School Hall and dedicated to children from kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. The central event is the Grand Carnival Parade on Saturday, 7 February at 1:00 pm, with participants gathering from 12:00 noon in Školska Street. After the parade, the programme continues at the Velika Gorica Public Open University, featuring accompanying entertainment and a concert by Lidija Bačić.

The Carnival weekend also includes Geek Con, a science fiction and pop culture festival taking place on 7 and 8 February at Eugen Kumičić Primary School and Gorica Hall. The festival runs both days from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, with free admission for children under 12. As part of Geek Con, a Cosplay Competition will be held on Saturday at 6:30 pm at the Public Open University cinema, with free entry for visitors.

Throughout the Carnival period, the programme is hosted by the Carnival characters Pajcek, Luk, Žir, the Princess and Prince Carnival, accompanied by presenter Mario Petreković.

Samobor | 6–17 February 2026

Samobor celebrates the 200th Samobor Carnival under the slogan “Srakoslet for 200 Carnival Years”.This jubilee edition features programmes across multiple city locations and a large number of participants from Samobor and visiting groups. The official opening takes place on Friday, 6 February at 7:00 pm, when the Mayor of Samobor hands over the city keys to the Carnival rulers – Prince Carnival, Princess Sraka, Prosecutor Štef and Judge Zlatko – on the main stage at Carnival Greats Square.

Organisers expect record attendance, with more than 2,500 masked children and over 50 visiting groups from more than 30 Croatian towns, as well as participants from Slovenia. The main parade is held on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February, marking the end of the festival. The closing programme traditionally includes performances by local communities and carnival groups, followed by the symbolic burning of Prince Carnival, with the central ceremony taking place at Carnival Greats Square.

The Carnival also offers a rich cultural and sports programme, including screenings of the film “200 Years of the Samobor Carnival”, presentations of Carnival publications, exhibitions and workshops, as well as sporting events such as the Carnival Run (13 February), Srakotrka for children and parents (15 February), the Carnival Round of the Samobor Winter Trail League (7 February), and the Carnival Champions League & “Crazy Padel” Tournament (14–15 February). During the festival, free parking is provided and extended opening hours are approved for hospitality venues.

As part of the jubilee celebration, a numismatic edition titled “200th Anniversary of the Samobor Carnival” is presented, created in cooperation with the Croatian National Bank and the Croatian Mint. The edition includes gold coins (50 and 20 euros) and silver coins (8 and 4 euros), featuring Princess Sraka on the obverse and Prince Carnival, the Judge and the Prosecutor on the reverse. The coins go on sale on Thursday, 5 February, from 9:00 am via the Croatian Mint’s online store, and will also be available to visitors in Samobor during the Carnival.

The music programme includes 14 concerts at two locations. Performers at King Tomislav Square include Severina, Plavi orkestar, Mate Bulić, Parni valjak, Miach & Grše, Dalmatino and Dubioza kolektiv. At the same time, the tent behind the cinema hosts Željko Bebek, Neda Ukraden, Gazde, Lidija Bačić, Savršeni marginalci, Gustafi and Željko Samardžić.

Dugo Selo | 13–14 February 2026

The Dugo Selo Carnival once again begins with the symbolic handover of the city keys (13 February at 12:00 noon in front of the Dugo Selo Cultural Centre), when the Dugo Selo Goose takes over authority and proclaims the Free Goose Republic. The central event is the Carnival Parade on 14 February from 12:00 noon, passing through the town streets and accompanied by music performances and costume competitions. Participants include children from local kindergartens and schools, associations, cultural societies, and numerous residents and visitors.

Bistra | 14 February 2026, from 1:00 pm

Bistra hosts the “Return of the Carnival Parade”, focusing on the revival of traditional Carnival customs in the area. The parade starts at 1:00 pm in front of the Bistra Municipal Building, with the main programme taking place in the afternoon.

The programme features competitions for the best individual costume in children’s and adult categories, a performance of the traditional Shrovetide choreography “The Sale of Linđa the Mare”, the trial of Prince Fašenek, and socialising with music and local gastronomic offerings. The event highlights the Bistra region's long-standing Carnival heritage.

Sveta Nedelja | 14 February 2026, from 11:00 am

The Sveta Nedelja Carnival takes place at Ante Starčević Square and is designed for children and families. The programme includes performances by Slavuj Kindergarten, Didi CRO KID, Strmec Little Performers, the “Tigrići” school choir of Vladimir Deščak Primary School, Balans-Code Association, and pupils of Sveta Nedelja Primary School and Vladimir Deščak Primary School. Additional activities for children include face painting, balloons and mascot meet-and-greets. Bojan Jambrošić hosts the programme.

Pisarovina | 14 February 2026

• “Valentine’s Carnival” at the Donja Kupčina Community Centre.

Sveti Ivan Zelina | 17 February 2026, from 10:00 am

A Children’s Carnival takes place at Ante Starčević Square. In the evening, at 7:00 pm, a special Carnival performance by the Z. Grgošević Music School will be held at the Public Open University of Sveti Ivan Zelina.

Jastrebarsko | 17 February 2026

• “Masked Ball” – Škrabe Theatre.

For exact event schedules and any programme changes, visitors are advised to follow the official websites and social media channels of the respective organisers.