February in Croatia is still quiet, with winter’s calm lingering across the cities, but hints of cultural life are starting to stir. From intimate jazz nights and Valentine’s performances to inspiring exhibitions and historic celebrations, this is the perfect moment to enjoy art, music, and heritage before the spring rush. Cozy cafés, peaceful streets, and a touch of festive energy make it an ideal time for slow exploration and cultural discovery.
Between Dreams and Reality, Split
From 22 January to 22 March, the Old City Hall in Split hosts Between Dreams and Reality, an exhibition showcasing masterpieces from Croatia’s modern art canon. Featuring iconic works like Vlaho Bukovac’s Gundulić Imagines Osman, it offers a serene, contemplative escape in the heart of the city.
Dubrovnik in Celebration: Saint Blaise & City Days
From 26 January to 8 February, Dubrovnik comes alive with the Festa of Saint Blaise and City Days. This two-week celebration turns the city into a lively stage of concerts, theatre, exhibitions, workshops, and family-friendly events. Highlights include the grand procession and mass through the Old Town on 3 February and a festive finale atop Gorica on 8 February. A magical winter experience filled with history, culture, and vibrant street energy.
My Skin – The Culture of Tattooing, Zagreb
From 27 January to 3 May, the Ethnographic Museum Zagreb presents My Skin – The Culture of Tattooing. This visually striking exhibition explores tattooing as a global cultural phenomenon—where tradition, identity, fashion, and personal stories are permanently inscribed on the body.
Vojin Bakić: The Principle of Hope, Bjelovar
At the newly renovated City Museum of Bjelovar, running 29 January to 18 April, this exhibition offers an in-depth look at one of Croatia’s most important 20th-century artists. The Principle of Hope reconnects Bakić’s visionary work with his hometown, presented in a thoughtful and contemporary way.
IberJazz Live, Split
On 6 February, catch José Luis Gutiérrez / IberJazz at the Ivo Tijardović Concert Hall. Featuring Gutiérrez on saxophone with Marco Niemietz (double bass) and Lar Legido (percussion), this trio delivers passionate, rhythmically playful jazz with Iberian flair, perfect for lovers of dynamic, modern jazz.
Danny Grissett Trio, Pula
Also on 6 February, pianist Danny Grissett brings his trio to the Istrian National Theatre in Pula, opening the 7th Backstage Live Pula Festival. Expect modern jazz with lyrical melodies, refined grooves, and intimate interplay. Grissett is joined by Josh Ginsburg (bass) and Vladimir Kostadinovic (drums). Charity-focused: €5 from each ticket goes to Children’s Home Ruža Petrović.
Valentine’s Jazz Night , Šibenik
On 14 February, Maja Posavec – POMA presents her album Leaving a Lover at the House of Art Arsen. A blend of music, storytelling, and theatrical performance, the show explores love, loss, and emotional transformation a Valentine’s experience beyond the clichés.
Nikola Petković: A Joyful Rebellion, Rijeka
Until 28 February, visit Kockica, Museum of the City of Rijeka, for Petković’s photography exhibition. Through sixty striking images, it captures the rebellious energy of Rijeka’s punk and new-wave scene, documenting the underground culture that defined a generation.
King Coloman and Zadar
Open until 1 June at the Church of St Mary (Permanent Exhibition of Church Art), this exhibition commemorates Croatian jubilees and King Coloman’s early 12th-century arrival. Discover illuminated manuscripts, architectural details, full-scale replicas, and a model of the complex—a richly layered journey into the birth of Romanesque heritage on the Adriatic.
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