Rijeka Carnival

Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, Venice and – Rijeka! What connects them, you ask? The answer is simple: Carnival! In all these cities, masked dance is the central, most important, most visited cultural manifestation in the open. Witches, fortune tellers, queens, princes, poets, bell ringers, fairy tale characters… During the carnival, or, as it is said in Croatia, during maškare, all of them take power over the city and blur the boundaries between what is real and what is not, what is decent and what is rude, what is normal and what is crazy. The queen will sit with the beggar, the doctor with the bellman, the vampire and the nun will hold hands without anyone even blinking an eye.
The Rijeka Carnival celebrates the rich tradition of carnival in the Primorje region, and in its 40-year history, from a small procession with only a few masked groups, it has grown into a central city manifestation with numerous events.
This year, the jubilee 40th Carnival period began on January 17 and will last until Ash Wednesday, i.e. February 22. On this occasion we bring you an overview of all the important events that are taking place as part of this crazy month.

CHOOSING A CARNIVAL QUEEN
It all starts with the traditional introductory event where trick-or-treaters choose the best among themselves and proclaim them their queen. The queen must prove herself with an imaginative and refined mask, but also with dance skills and charm. In addition to the queen, the best carnival group is chosen, with which each queen comes, and it all ends with the moment when the mayor of Rijeka hands over the key of the city to the master of the carnival. The handover of the keys officially marks the beginning of the socially accepted madness in the city.

CARNIVAL PARTIES
Maškare va Pašcu, Maškarani tanci na Vežici, Carnival Trash Party, Carnival parties on the Grobnik waterfront… Throughout the city, trick-or-treating parties are organized throughout the carnival period. This often implies carnival music, but also, of course, masked visitors.

CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL PARADE – 4 February 2023
For one day a year, Rijeka’s Korzo is reserved for little monsters, fairies, vampires, zombies, animals and other little beasts! A day just for the youngest ones from Croatia and abroad, who thus preserve the tradition of trick-or-treating and carnivals. If you have little beasts, astronauts or bell ringers at home, do not miss to take them to an event dedicated only to them!

TORPEDO CARNIVAL RUN – 12 February 2023 at 9 a.m.
On Sunday, February 12th, from 9 a.m., as part of the carnival, the Carnival Run will be held, starting at Molo Longo. What is the speciality of this race, you ask? Well, um… They’ll be running in masks!

CARNIVAL SNOWBOARD SESSION – 12 February 2023 at 2 p.m.
The second sporting carnival event is a snowboarding competition. This is the 12th edition of the carnival snowboard – in previous years it was held on artificial snow in the city itself, and this year it will be held at the famous Platak ski resort.

NIGHT OF THE CRINOLINE – 17 February 2023
The night of the crinoline is held on the Marina ship hotel – botel, and as the name of the event suggests, the guests are dressed as European nobility of the 19th century. The event has a humanitarian touch and this year all donations raised on the Night of the Crinoline will go to the Safe House.

HUMANITARIAN CARNIVAL BALL – 18 February 2023
The ball is traditionally held at the Governor’s Palace and will host numerous people from the public, diplomats and politicians. The goal of the ball is to raise funds for the Turnić Centre, which takes care of adults with mental health problems.

INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL PARADE – 19 February 2023
It is the crown event within the Rijeka Carnival when trick-or-treaters from Primorje, but also from all over Croatia, as well as from surrounding countries, pour into Rijeka and hold a unique celebration of wonder, colour, imagination and laughter. Whether you’re a trick-or-treater or a spectator, fun is guaranteed!

Do not miss the opportunity to be part of the Rijeka carnival story, and find the best accommodation in Rijeka on the website of Molo Longo agency.