Cres is celebrating a great anniversary – 180 years of tourism and tourist tradition. It will be celebrated with Jelena Rozga, Luka Nižetić, Night Express and numerous other musicians and lots of great fun. In the celebratory year of 2025, in addition to the existing events held in the name of 180 years of tourism, in April we can expect a special ceremony for the awarding of tourist awards, on the first day of June a cross-section of the tourist history of the island of Cres and a great concert by Jelena Rozga, and autumn will bring a conference dedicated to the sustainable and responsible development of the destination called Cres: yesterday, today, tomorrow.
The island of Cres celebrates in 2025 180 years of tourist tradition. The beginnings of tourism on the island of Cres date back to 1845. Namely, on June 1st, the first tourists visited the island and were delighted with the local gastronomy, the beautiful historic center and the hospitality of the hosts. Even then, Cres became an attractive destination for tourists, and it remains so today. In 2025, we can expect a rich cultural and entertainment program that will mark this great anniversary of Cres tourism.
April on Cres
A commemorative event will be held on Wednesday, April 9th. Ceremony marking 180 years of tourism. As part of the event, tourism awards will be presented to those who have contributed to the development of tourism. The program will feature performances by Damir Kedžo, the Burin a capella group, the Teha a capella group, and the Orlec Folklore Society, and will be hosted by Robert Ferlin. The ceremony will begin at 18 p.m. at the Kimen Hotel in Cres.
Thursday, April 17th will mark the start of the Cres stage. 4islands MTB Epic Series cycling racesThe Cres stage is traditionally the most demanding section of this race. This year, the start and finish will take place on Frane Petrić Square in Cres, and to the satisfaction of the participants themselves, this year too, as part of this event, the most beautiful postcards will be sent from Cres to the world.
Easter holidays in Cres, everyone will be taken on a walk through the centuries-old Cres olive groves and to a wool felting Easter egg workshop. On Easter Monday, there will be a gathering with traditional sweets such as šiširek and pinca, and a musical performance by the Burin klapa.
At the end of April, the official opening of the first 5-star hotel in Cres and the first Marriott Autograph Collection hotel on the Croatian islands will take place – The Isolano hotelThe use of natural materials such as stone and wood contributes to creating a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere that will provide guests with a true experience of staying in harmony with nature. This also emphasizes the importance of preserving the environment, which is in line with global trends in sustainable tourism, but also with the local values of Cres, one of the most preserved and beautiful islands in the Adriatic.
The spring celebration continues with the project Cres on the marketThis year, the event will once again bring numerous events in April and May dedicated to the top-quality local ingredients of the island of Cres – Cres lamb, cheese, olive oil, honey and traditional desserts. Cres lamb and cheese festival will be held on April 26th, and interested visitors will be able to taste various island specialties. They will also be able to try their hand at a wool felting workshop, while the musical part of the program will feature performances by famous Luka Nižetic.
May on Cres
The events will continue throughout the weekend in May. Visitors will be able to enjoy guided tours centuries-old olive groves with olive oil tasting and a bee oasis with a visit to the largest sage field in the world as well as traditional island desserts.
On Saturday, May 17th, there will also be new trail race on the island of Cres called Griffon Trail. This sports and recreational event offers three different routes (8, 15 and 26 kilometers), highlighting the island's natural and cultural heritage, including ancient shepherd's paths, centuries-old olive groves, sea views, steep cliffs and historical sites.
The last Sunday in May, May 24th, is reserved for international mecha festival in Orlec. On Saturday, May 31st, there will be The search for the White Treasure, an event intended for the youngest.
Cres in early June and the celebration of 180 years of tourism
As the first tourists visited the island of Cres on June 1, 1845, it will be on June 1, 2025. central event celebrating 180 years of tourism. Along with the appropriate displays of the tourist development of Cres over the past 180 years, we can also expect the opening of the Creski kaić interpretation center. The grand finale of the central part of the celebration awaits all visitors in the evening hours when the famous Jelena rozga.
Days of Cres Maritime Heritage and Tradition, a popular event Cres kaić, will be held from June 2nd to 8th. A rich musical program has been announced, led by Groovers and Shajetaand this year's program also includes a regatta of traditional sailing vessels, numerous gastronomic delicacies, workshops and lectures, tournaments, etc.
Summer events on Cres
From mid-June to mid-September, a traditional festival will be held every Tuesday and Friday. Cres butega. As part of the local products exhibition, visitors can meet local producers and learn all about top-quality local products. Free costumed guided tours of the town of Cres will be held every Tuesday. "Cres City Tours for Everyone", and every Monday will be held Klapa evenings on the island of Cres.
The last weekend in June transforms the island of Cres into an island of wonders once again with a popular fantasy event "Isle of Wonders". Isle of Wonders – Cres is the first island fantasy convention in Croatia. Over the three days of the event, world-famous writers, actors, artists, musicians, master craftsmen, knights from the past and costumed film heroes will parade through the historic core of the town of Cres, surrounded by imposing centuries-old architecture, the Moise Palace and the Cres Tower.
In July and August, we can expect numerous events such as: Cres sheep in Orlec, Fishing festivals in Martinšćica, Tramuntana day in Belo, Valun Summer Nights, Teatra na Pjaceta, Florio Burburan Memorial and many others, and the carnival color and joy will take over the town of Cres on Saturday, July 19th, when another edition of the Cres Carnival will be held. Summer Carnival with a musical performance by the band Point.
From mid-July to mid-August, another edition of the popular Lubenice Music EveningsThe event will once again bring top-notch classical music concerts to picturesque Lubenice this year.
The finale of the summer events on the island of Cres is traditionally Cres seed, which traces its tradition back to the 16th century. The event will be held from August 5th to 7th with performances by Night Express, Soulfingers & Mario Petreković, as well as a traditional tombola and performances by the Teha and Burin a capella groups. In 2025, the Creski semenj will turn the entire old town of Cres into a stage. People will socialize, sing, and have fun in the squares, while on the Promenade on April 20, they will trade in the products produced by the hardworking hands of local producers, as well as guests from the rest of Croatia.
Autumn and winter on Cres
The first weekend of September is reserved for the Rock Memorial with performances by numerous bands. On Saturday, September 6th, Cres will also host the first edition of the cycling race Epic Rides Cres. Autumn on Cres will be marked by active programs with the continuation of free guided walking tours Cres HikeAnother edition of the popular event is expected in early November. Cres – Losinj Trail.
Autumn will bring and conference dedicated to 180 years of tourism called Cres: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Cres is an example of good practice on a national and global level. International speakers are expected to attend the event dedicated to sustainable and responsible destination management. The goal is for the event to become a traditional conference where examples of good practice will be exchanged, and Cres to be a center for the exchange of knowledge on sustainable management and destination development.
The island of Cres will end the celebratory year of 2025 with another edition Advent in CresThe event will once again provide the beautiful town of Cres with a festive glow and lots of great entertainment.
Find more information at www.visitCres.hr and visit Croatia's largest island during the celebration of 180 years of tourism.
