Welcome to Belgrade. The city is a home to various music and art festivals. Our pocket-sized insider’s guide takes you to the coolest annual events in the city.

OCTOBER SALON

Founded by the city of Belgrade, October Salon is an art festival that examines current tendencies in the domain of visual arts. It was established in 1960 as an exhibition of the finest works in the sphere of fine arts. In 1967 it becomes an important review of current trends in arts. With its tradition of 6 decades, the October Salon became an important segment in the study of local art of the second half of 20th century and beyond. Today,  the October Salon is a biennial review of creators in the broad sphere of visual arts and a great exhibition of both local and foreign authors that have been selected by prominent experts in the field.

where: Belgrade art spaces/various locations

when: October-November

website

FEST

FEST-BELGRADE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The very first International Film Festival (FEST) under the slogan “A Brave New World” took place back in 1971, in the Dom Sindikata hall, screening the Robert Altman’s “Mash”. Imagined as the annual review of the best seasonal films, the Belgrade International Film Festival has grown to become one of the most important festivals in Serbia and the main event of Belgrade’s cultural life. An important feature of FEST is its openness to films from all parts of the world, as well as to all relevant authors and works that would never have the opportunity to be shown in cinemas.

where: in Belgrade cinemas/various locations

when: february-march/ annual

website

mikser festival
MIKSER FESTIVAL

MIKSER FESTIVAL

As the name says MIKSER (a mixture of various fields of art and science) is a broadly known local festival. During the years this interesting festival has changed its location from Silo in Lower Dorcol to Savamala, and to Lower Dorcol (Dorcol Platz and Museum of Science and Technology). Each year, the festival programme is focused on different topics, ranging from urbanism to circular economy and similar. The festival includes day programme, such as the main conference which features keynote speakers, workshops, art and design exhibitions, fashion markets, painting murals, as well as the night programme with a focus on music, DJ and live band performances.

where: Dorcol Platz, Museum of Science and Technology, Lower Dorcol

when: may/annual

website

slobodna zona
FREE ZONE FILM FESTIVAL

FREE ZONE FILM FESTIVAL

Slobodna zona filmski festival, or in Eng. Free Zone Film Festival is an annual festival that takes place in Belgrade. Unlike FEST, this popular event has a focus on less “commercial” movies, but also documentaries from all over the glob. Each year film selectors try to showcase movies that speak about current issues in our society, ranging from migrant crisis, LGBTQ rights to politics, late capitalism and culture.

where: in Belgrade cinemas/various locations

when: November/annual

website

pozoriste_bitef_teatar
BITEF

BITEF

If you wish to explore the current tendencies in domain of contemporary theater and dance do not hesitate to buy tickets for BITEF. This is another publicly supported event with tradition of 6 decades. BITEF takes place in Bitef theater ( the first alternative theater in Belgrade, which is located in the former Evangelist church from the 1940), as well as in other local theaters and former industrial spaces of the Port of Belgrade (Luka Beograd).

where: Belgrade theaters/Luka Beograd

when: october/annual

website