The Samobor Carnival

Everyone is invited to the Free Carnival State, one of the oldest and largest carnival festivities in Croatia, where masks will rule until February 16th

Once again, this year, Samobor will host the largest carnival in north-western Croatia. The squares and streets of this picturesque town will once again be swarming with hundreds of thousands of masked visitors, participating in various carnival events.

 A variety of masks are expected, from the most innocuous ones to highly imaginative and humorous caricatures of every-day Croatian public personalities. The carnival began on January 26th, when Samobor once again became a Free Carnival Republic, whose protagonists are Sraka (magpie), prince Fašnik (prince Carnival), Sudec (judge) and Fiškal (lawyer). They have already taken over the keys to the city, and will rule it until January 16th. Until that date, Samobor will be host to masked visitors who will have an opportunity to enjoy various entertainment programs for both children and adults. There will be dance and song, organized processions and balls, as well as various “best mask” contests.

The Samobor Carnival is taking place for the 184th time this year, and it will feature more than 2500 children, 1200 members of various local committees, and some thirty allegorical floats, as well as some thousand masked participants of carnival groups from all over Croatia. On top of that, around two hundred thousand visitors are expected and each will have an opportunity to enjoy some new programs prepared for this year’s carnival: the SrakaFest, EthnoRoad, Carnival Halternative etc. There will also be many known events with, of course, the unavoidable doughnuts and various other carnival delicacies prepared by the numerous restaurants across town. Put a mask on your face and join us; the Samobor carnival is a unique experience that will entertain both children and adults alike.