Summer has finally arrived in Belgrade, and the city is bursting with culture, rhythm, and that unmistakable feeling of freedom in the air. Whether you’re a film lover, an art enthusiast, a die-hard raver, or just someone looking to soak in the magic of June evenings, this month’s lineup has something for every vibe.
From David Hockney’s return to the MoCAB and movies under the stars by the river, to Afro rhythms in the museum garden and intimate open-air raves at Kalemegdan, June 2025 promises unforgettable experiences all across the city. We’re closing the month with a bang at Karmakoma—because in Belgrade, we don’t just mark the start of summer, we dance into it.
Here’s your curated guide to some of the best things happening in the city this June.
AFRO FESTIVAL at the Museum of African Art
📍 June 28–29, 2025 | Museum of African Art, Belgrade
Summer in Belgrade gets a bold and colorful twist with the return of the Afro Festival, happening on June 28 and 29 at the beloved Museum of African Art.
For over two decades, Afro Festival has been a one-of-a-kind event in Serbia’s cultural landscape—a space for open dialogue, learning, and vibrant artistic exchange. It’s a celebration of Africa’s rich traditions and contemporary creativity, bringing together music, crafts, gastronomy, and more.
During these two festive days, the museum transforms into a buzzing open-air stage filled with rhythm, color, and life. The program is designed for both kids and adults and features everything from educational workshops to hands-on crafts, all aimed at preserving and showcasing African heritage.
🌍 Durbar – African Culture in One Place
With the support of the African diplomatic community in Belgrade, the Durbar segment will give visitors a chance to explore a variety of cultural, touristic, and culinary experiences from African countries. This year’s participants include embassies from Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Ghana, Egypt, DR Congo, Cuba, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia, along with consulates from Gabon, Jamaica, and Namibia.
Musical Highlight: Kasiva Mutua
The festival’s special guest is Kasiva Mutua, a powerhouse percussionist, vocalist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter from Kenya. Known for blending traditional African rhythms with jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and funk, Kasiva brings a fresh and empowering sound to the stage—one that celebrates both heritage and gender equality. She’ll host an interactive drumming workshop and give a high-energy live performance in the museum garden.
🕒 Stay tuned for the full program and schedule, coming soon!
🎫 Tickets are available via Ticket Vision sales points and online at www.tickets.rs.
From Paper to Screen – David Hockney Returns to Belgrade
📍 Museum of Contemporary Art, Belgrade
📅 June – August 12, 2025
This summer, Belgrade welcomes back a legend. More than fifty years after his first solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade, David Hockney returns—not in person, but through the bold legacy of his art and a groundbreaking retrospective titled “From Paper to Screen.”
Back in 1970, a young and promising Hockney left a deep imprint on the Belgrade art scene with an exhibition that stood out for its freshness and fearless experimentation. Now, as the Museum celebrates its 60th anniversary, it reconnects with that pivotal moment by showcasing Hockney’s evolution—from early etchings and drawings to his most recent, dazzling digital creations.
Born in 1937, Hockney is a British art icon known for pushing the boundaries of visual language across painting, photography, and digital media. Whether he’s capturing sun-soaked Californian pools or exploring the subtleties of the English countryside, his work reflects a lifelong passion for perception, light, and reinvention.
This exhibition takes visitors on a visual journey spanning six decades. It’s a rich blend of traditional techniques and cutting-edge tools—from pencil to iPad. It’s also a meditation on how art evolves with technology and how the act of seeing itself transforms over time.
💡 From Paper to Screen isn’t just an art exhibition—it’s a story of return, reinvention, and the ongoing relationship between Belgrade and one of the world’s most beloved contemporary artists. It’s also a celebration of creativity that refuses to stand still.
Organized in partnership with the British Council, the exhibition is part of a long-standing cultural dialogue between the UK and Serbia.
Whether you’re a long-time Hockney admirer or just discovering his work, this is a must-see summer highlight in Belgrade.
Illusions Open Air Weekend – Electronic Vibes Under the Stars
📍 Kula Nebojša, Kalemegdan
📅 June 20–21, 2025
Belgrade’s nightlife reaches new heights (and sounds) this June as the Illusions Open Air Weekend returns to Kula Nebojša, one of the city’s most breathtaking historical sites. Over two unforgettable nights, electronic music lovers will gather beneath the stars, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls, deep grooves, and a handpicked crowd of just 500 people per evening.
This is not your typical party—it’s a full-on audio-visual journey under the open sky, featuring some of the most sought-after names on the scene.
🎧 Lineup Highlights:
✨ June 20 – Kasia, the rising star of Afterlife, brings her powerful melodic techno to Belgrade for the first time. She’ll be joined by local favorites Ilija Đoković and Pao Pausto, who will set the tone with deep, driving sets and a signature regional flavor.
✨ June 21 – Legendary DJ and founder of All Day I Dream, Lee Burridge, takes the stage with his signature sound—dreamy, emotional, and irresistibly danceable. Supporting him are Runy and Isidor, adding layers of local warmth and storytelling through sound.
With top-tier production, atmospheric lighting, and a truly intimate crowd, this event promises to be a highlight of Belgrade’s summer music calendar.
🎟️ Tickets are very limited!
Available via Gigstix and in Vulkan bookstores.
Movies Under the Stars – Outdoor Cinema at Sava Promenada
📍 Sava Promenada (in front of Galerija Belgrade, Entrance 4)
📅 Fridays & Saturdays, June 13 – August 23 | 8:30 PM
There’s something truly magical about summer nights in Belgrade—especially when paired with a big screen, a grassy lawn, and the sound of cinema drifting along the river. Back for its fourth season, the beloved open-air cinema at Sava Promenada invites locals and visitors alike to unwind with a free movie screening every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 PM, all summer long.
Starting June 13, this open-air cinema transforms the riverbank into a dreamy outdoor living room, with blockbusters, cult classics, animations, and Serbian favorites lighting up the evening sky. Think Inside Out 2, Dune: Part Two, The Matrix, Knives Out, and regional gems like The Summer I Learned to Fly (Leto kada sam naučila da letim).
Bring your blanket, settle into the soft grass, and watch the sunset as the show begins.
🎧 Important: Bring your own headphones and download the Listen Everywhere app for Android or Sennheiser MobileConnect for iOS to enjoy the movie audio in full quality.
The full film schedule is available on the official Galerija Belgrade website and mobile app.
Tijana T & Dea Dvornik Take Over Karmakoma
📍 Karmakoma, Belgrade
📅 June 20, 2025 | Friday Night Fever
First day of summer? Let’s make it unforgettable. On June 20, Belgrade’s underground hotspot Karmakoma welcomes a powerhouse DJ duo ready to set the tone for the season: Tijana T and Dea Dvornik.
Same roots, different styles, complete mutual respect. Coming from a region that no longer exists on paper but lives on through their sound, this Yugo DJ pairing blends house and techno in a way that’s seamless, magnetic, and pure dancefloor fire.
Dea, Croatia’s rising techno force, returns to Karmakoma for the third time—yep, she’s officially a Koma legend. And Tijana T? Belgrade’s queen of the decks, known for transforming any space into an ecstatic zone of movement and emotion, needs no introduction.
✨ Expect deep grooves, fearless transitions, and that magic moment when the DJs make eye contact with the crowd and the whole room lifts. No gimmicks—just pure musical storytelling from two of the region’s finest.
Presale coming soon on Gigstix and Resident Advisor.
We’ll see you next Friday. Don’t be late
Writer. Blogger. Traveler. Researcher. Electronic Music Lover.
