The biggest show in town is undoubtedly the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which runs from July 10 to August 25 and embraces theatre, dance, classical music, and much more. There is almost always a challenging mix of tradition and experimentation, with canonical authors like Shakespeare and Croatia's Renaissance playwright Marin Držić getting ruffled up by contemporary directors. The unique appeal of the festival lies in its choice of settings, with Old Town buildings and nearby islands providing some stunning backdrops to an unforgettable collection of performances. For schedules and tickets, refer to the festival website at www.dubrovnik-festival.hr.
 

 
This year’s edition focuses on a unifying festival theme — Women — highlighting female voices, narratives, and performances across a diverse musical lineup. Khatia Buniatishvili, celebrated pianist, will make her Croatian debut with a solo concert at the Rector’s Palace on July 22. Sonya Yoncheva returns for a rare recital with pianist Malcolm Martineau on July 31. The Philharmonix, an ensemble blending classical, jazz, and pop, will perform in Croatia for the first time on August 20. The festival ends with an Opera Gala on August 25 in front of the Dubrovnik Cathedral, featuring Nino Machaidze, Vittorio Grigolo, and Marko Mimica.