Are you planning a holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina this year? Then these event dates might help you choose the perfect time to travel.
Personally, I love taking part in local events when travelling and learning more about a country and its people. However, if you prefer to take it easy, this overview can also help you avoid the busiest periods in Sarajevo, Banja Luka or Mostar this year.
Because, like everywhere else, big events attract big crowds. If you want to be in Sarajevo during the film festival, for example, then booking last-minute accommodation is a challenge.
This post only gives you an overview of the biggest events that take place in the country every year - there are also smaller events all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, every village, every small town has its own traditions.
So, let's take a look at the most important and biggest events in Bosnia in 2025!
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Events in Bosnia 2025: Quick overview
Religious and non-religious holidays take place in Bosnia throughout the year. This means that you may well stumble across a celebration that is not listed here.
The biggest events are, of course, more crowded and cost more for accommodation - but it's still generally worth attending major events in the country. They offer a unique experience and great local insights. The perfect addition to your holiday in Bosnia.
From music festivals and religious events to adrenaline-fuelled events - there's something for everyone!
Not-to-miss events in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025
Sarajevo Film Festival
- When: 15.–22. August 2025
- Where: Sarajevo, some screenings in Tuzla & Mostar
- Good to know: In addition to films, there are also workshops, parties and concerts throughout the city during the week, pubs and bars are open until late
The Sarajevo Film Festival is something like the fifth season here in Sarajevo - and this year it will be a very special one. It is taking place for the 30th time! The largest Southeast European film festival was founded in 1994, during the siege of Sarajevo, and has grown steadily ever since.
During the SFF, as we all affectionately call it here, there is a very special atmosphere in the city - Sarajevo is transformed into an international metropolis. However, this also means that the old town is filled to bursting with tourists, the prices for accommodation are steep if you don't book early enough and if you want to take part in events or watch films, you should buy tickets in good time.
Personally, I think Sarajevo is a must-see at this time of year. However, if you prefer a quieter experience, then the SFF might not be the right time for you to visit. You can find more tips for SFF here..
💡 My tip: I always book accommodation via booking.com. With Genius Level 3, I get a guaranteed discount - up to 25 per cent for some accommodations - and sometimes there are also great extras, such as a free breakfast or upgrade. For Level 3, you have to make 15 bookings via the platform within 2 years. Level 2 is even available for just five bookings. Find the best accommodation in Sarajevo here.
Mostar Cliff Diving
- When: September
- Where: Mostar
- Good to know: The jumping competition has been taking place for over 450 years - legend has it that a boy became a man by jumping from the Stari Most
Every year, death-defying jumpers plunge from the Stari Most into the depths of the coldest river in the world, the Neretva. Depending on the water level, the drop can be as steep as 25 metres. They are judged on their correct execution of the swallow - a specific type of jump.
In addition to the traditional cliff diving competition, Mostar is also a regular stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, the dates of which can be found here – it will take place again in September 2025.
On the Cliff Diving weekend, you can expect a lot of crowds in Mostar, with many local day tourists crossing the border from neighbouring Croatia who don't want to miss out on the event. So book your accommodation well in advance. Nevertheless, it's a pretty unique experience!
Una Regatta
- When: Usually on one of the last two weekends in July
- Where: Bihać
- Good to know: The Una Regatta starts with a traditional jump from the 25 metre high Štrbački Buk waterfall
The regatta lasts a total of four days. It's not just about sailing down the River Una, the organisers also offer a music and entertainment programme, there are traditional jumps from the waterfalls into the river and evenings around the campfire. So even if you don't take part in the regatta as a participant, there is plenty to discover as a spectator.
The date for 2025 has not yet been finalised, but will be published on the Una National Park's Instagram account soon.
From Bihać, you can continue your journey to Banja Luka or Jajce in Central Bosnia.
Ramadan
- When: 1.–29. März 2025
- Where: Whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Good to know: Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, is associated with far fewer restrictions in Bosnia than in the United Arab Emirates, for example.
Every year, Muslims all over the world celebrate the holy month of fasting, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where around half of all inhabitants are Muslim. Ramadan is therefore a great opportunity to learn even more about Islam and its traditions - but also about Bosnian culture.
For me, it's a special time here in Sarajevo every year and I enjoy the four weeks - also because they don't involve any major restrictions for me, but there is still a festive atmosphere in the city.
Read here what you need to bear in mind when travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina during Ramadan and whether a visit during the fasting month is a good idea.
Street Arts Festival Mostar
- When: End of August/Beginning of September
- Where: Mostar
- Good to know: Like no other city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mostar has dedicated itself to transforming the war scars of the 1990s into art.
For almost a decade, Mostar has been hosting the Street Arts Festival that attracts graffiti artists and street artists from all over the world.
Every year, a different part of the city is chosen where you can watch facade artists at work - they transform grey socialist buildings into works of art, grenade craters into colourful mosaics and turn the city into a place of encounter and reunification.
Even if you can't make it to the city during the Street Arts Festival, you can find a Google Maps map with all the locations of the murals and artworks on their website.
MESS International Theatre Festival
- When: October
- Where: Sarajevo
- Good to know: Tickets for the Bosnian National Theatre, where most of the screenings take place, can be purchased online..
The MESS festival, much like the Sarajevo Film Festival, began as a cultural resistance movement in besieged Sarajevo, first in 1993. After the end of the war, it was further expanded, international directors took part and it is now one of the most important annual events on the European theatre scene.
More information about the MESS and this year's theater performances can be found here.
Baščaršija Nights
- When: July
- Where: Sarajevo
- Good to know: Mostly local artists perform here, admission is always free, but for some events there is limited seating and a free ticket must be purchased in advance
What I particularly love about Sarajevo is how accessible art is made in the Bosnian capital. In summer, my calendar is always full of free theatre performances, concerts or even ballet and opera.
Two series of events you should keep an eye on if you are in Sarajevo in summer are the Baščaršijske Noći and Kultur na Ulice.
Blaž Enology Wine Festival
- When: Usually on one of the last two weekends in July
- Where: Medugorje
- Good to know: The four indigenous varieties Zilavka, Blatina, Trnjak and Vranac are increasingly being cultivated again in Herzegovina
Wine lovers should bookmark this event now. Blaž was created by Herzegovinian winemakers. In addition to lectures and workshops during the week, the last evening is the big highlight. Here you can taste local wines from traditional, family-run wineries, accompanied by Herzegovinian specialities and music.
And why not combine your visit to the wine festival with a personalised wine tour?
Garden of Dreams Festival
- When: July
- Where: Sarajevo
- Good to know: In addition to the festival, a conference for artists, musicians and creatives from the region will also take place on the same weekend
The Garden of Dreams series of events, which was started by a good friend of ours, has really blossomed into a small but fine electronic festival in recent years. From Kollektiv Turmstraße to Hot Since 82, numerous world-famous DJs have now performed on the stages of Sarajevo.
Every year in early summer, there are two or three days of partying and dancing — usually at historic locations in the city, which makes the party experience even more unique. You can find the date and tickets for Garden of Dreams here.
OK! Fest
- When: 18.-20. Juli 2025
- Where: Sarajevo
- Good to know: In addition to the festival, a conference for artists, musicians and creatives from the region will also take place on the same weekend
A bit of a different festival: music and adrenaline are part of a mixed program of activities such as rafting, hiking and stage action. There are three stages in total, spread across the Sutjeska National Park.
There is very little accommodation in the Sutjeska National Park itself - so either book early or look for an apartment in nearby Foča. Tickets and information about the OK! Festival here..
Fresh Wave Banja Luka
- When: Usually on the first weekend of August
- Where: Banja Luka Fortress
- Good to know: For 10 years, the fortress of Banja Luka has been transformed into a party meadow at the beginning of August.
An exciting mix of international and local DJs from the electronic scene awaits you at Fresh Wave. The party has been going on on the banks of the Vrbas for 10 years.
You can combine a party weekend on Fresh Wave with a trip to Bihać or Jajce.
Want more tips and must-sees for Bosnia?
I've been living in the country since 2021 and now know it really well - from restaurants and must-sees to real hidden gems!
For anyone exploring Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first (or second) time, I've put together this handy travel map and app for you. over 300 spots that you should not miss.
Weihnachtsmärkte
- When: Beginning of December until mid-January
- Where: Whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Good to know: The end of the year is celebrated in Bosnia from Advent through New Year's Eve to Orthodox Christmas
Last winter in particular saw numerous Christmas markets all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you come here during Advent, you don't have to worry about feeling the Christmas spirit—you definitely will.
In Mostar, Advent takes place between Spanish Square and Zrinjevac Park, in Sarajevo there is a small Christmas market in front of the cathedral and another one with an ice rink for children in Freedom Square in front of the Orthodox Cathedral.
Which event do you want to experience in Bosnia?
Events are held all year round across the country, so you're really spoiled for choice if you want to experience one of them. But also note: on these dates, especially if it's a larger event, accommodation at some locations is scarce and you can expect larger crowds.
You decide what you're most interested in - but with this overview, there are no more surprises when it comes to the most important events in Bosnia in 2025.
