Korčula events

Our guide to the best events on Korčula island

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Throughout Summer various music, theatre, film, gastronomy and sporting events take place. The annual grape harvest takes place in September and October, after which come the olives.

Moreška, Korcula Town

Neven Fazinić

Korčula's traditional sword dance takes the form of a stylized confrontation between the Black King, who kidnaps a girl known as the Bula, and the White King, whose job it is to win her back. It is a highly ritualized performance that goes back centuries, and is a long way from being a choreographed form of modern entertainment. The music that accompanies the Moreška has changed significantly over the years - the current accompaniment, penned in the 1930s, involves a brass band and is full of jolly marching tunes. The Moreška was traditionally performed on St Theodore's Day (July 29) but nowadays takes place every Monday and Thursday during the tourist season, in the open-air theatre beside the Old Town's main gate. Mondays and Thursdays in tourist season

Kumpanija, Vela Luka

Marija Fara

Vela Luka's traditional sword dance is slow, repetitive and ritualistic, but features a lot of hypnotic drum beating, shrill bagpipes and beautiful klapa choral singing. Every Tuesday during the tourist season.

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Korkyra Jazz Festival, Korčula Town

Two nights of top-notch music in the open-air Summer Theatre, running the gamut from trad jazz to contemporary jazz fusion. Held in July.

Korkyra Baroque Festival, Korčula Town

This festival of early music features some of Europe's top performers, with concerts taking place in Korčula’s historic churches. Ensembles featuring in 2013 included Spain's Capella de Ministrers, His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts from Great Britain, and the Croatian Baroque Ensemble. The festival will open with a performance of the Moreška sword dance to an old Baroque score, pieced together by scholars using 17th-century sources. Held in September.

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Good Friday Processions, Korčula Town

Neven Fazinić

Following a tradition laid down in the late middle ages, Korčula's religious brotherhoods move in procession through the town clad in regalia and carrying banners, torches and crosses. There are three brotherhoods in town, All Saints, Saint Rock's, and St Michael's. The earliest (All Saints) was founded in the fourteenth century - membership is passed down from generation to generation. March 30, 2018.

Marco Polo Challenge, Korčula Town

This annual Triathlon competition launched in 2011 attracts an international field of participants, with competitors swimming, cycling and running their way to the finishing line in Korčula town centre. There are also events for juniors and a team relay. April 28, 2018.