The majority of cultural festivals take place in Zagreb, although Dubrovnik, Split and Rijeka offer plenty in the way of drama and music, and almost every other region of Croatia offers a film festival of one sort or another. Zagreb, however, is very much the centre of Croatia’s highbrow culture for most of the year, with spring and early autumn being the busiest times. In addition, there is no shortage of religious holidays throughout the year, featuring church processions and celebratory feasting.

• International Folklore Festival - Held over a weekend in July and traditionally the best place to see songs and dances from all over the country. Mid- to late July; Zagreb.

• Carnival - The most important event in the early part of the year is the pre-Lenten carnival (Karneval; often known as fašnik in inland Croatia, and pust on the Adriatic), which actually begins before Christmas but does not reach a climax until Shrove Tuesday or the weekend immediately preceding it. Processions and masked revelry appear in towns all over Croatia with many towns organizing float parades with the participants donning disguises which frequently satirize local politicians or comment on the events of the past year.

• All Saints’ Day - One of the most important Catholic feasts of the autumn, when families visit graveyards to pay their respects to the departed. By the evening, many big-city cemeteries are transformed into a sea of candles. (Nov 1).

• Strossmartre (Ljeto na Štrosu) - From May to September an outstandingly varied programme of concerts, art-and-craft stalls, and other outdoor events ranging from music, film, theatre, fine art are on offer in Zagreb’s Gornji grad. June to early Sept.

• Kastav Cultural Summer (Kastafsko kulturno leto) - Concerts in the streets and squares of Kastav, near Rijeka. July/Aug.

• Dubrovnik Summer Festival (Dubrovačke ljetne igre) - Prestigious classical music and theatre event that makes full use of Dubrovnik’s historic buildings and atmospheric open spaces. The festival is held, every year, from mid-July until the third week of August. It is known as one of the greatest cultural events of Croatia.

• Split Summer (Splitsko ljeto) - Opera, orchestral music and a host of other high-cultural delights, with many performances taking place in Split’s ancient piazzas and squares. Mid-July to mid-Aug.

• Zagreb Film Festival - Outstanding documentaries and art movies from around the world generate a genuine festival atmosphere. Free access to the late-night DJ parties is well worth the price of your cinema ticket. Oct or Nov.

• Advent in Zagreb - Food stalls, rakija bars, kooky gift markets, outdoor music stages and gallons of mulled wine; venues throughout the city centre. Dec.

One of the most anticipated festivals is Ultra Europe, a massive electronic dance music festival held in Split, which draws over 140,000 attendees from around the globe.