EVENTS

 

Due to the new situation caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus, all events and gatherings are canceled until further notice.

 

2020 Calendar of Events

 

January

 

VINCEKOVO (ST. VINCENT’S DAY)

 

The association of wine and fruit growers “Sveti Vinko” from Virovitica every year organizes a celebration of St. Vincent’s day in Sveti Đurađ. On that day, the members of the association, along with their guests, “baptize” the vine to make the year fertile and fruitful, accompanied by a song and a play.

 

MUSEUM NIGHT

 

Every year, the Croatian Museum Society organizes Museum Night, a manifestation that began modestly in 2005, and over the years has grown into the most significant event of Croatian museums. The City Museum of Virovitica is also involved in this event.

 

February

 

INTERNATIONAL HANDBALL TOURNAMENT

 

The International Young Cadets Handball Tournament is one of the best tournaments in this category in this part of Europe, with over 200 young handball players performing.

 

CHILDREN’S MASQUERADE PARTY IN VIROVITICA

 

Held since 1997, Virovitica costume ball has grown out of the long and rich carnival tradition in the area. The masquerade brings together children of different ages, and also their parents, friends… The program includes themed performances of carnival groups, a series of attractive games, and the contest of the best masked participants.

 

VIRKAS – VIROVITICA THEATER GATHERING

 

The two-week gathering is based on the centuries-old tradition of holding theater performances in Virovitica and on continuously successful activity of the Virovitica Theater. The repertoar includes a variety of theatrical plays, begins with the premiere performance of domestic theater, and continues with the best plays from other guest theater troupes, from Croatia and abroad.

 

March

 

SMALL TRAINS EXCHANGE

 

Organized by the Virovitica Tourist Board, along with Goran Denc, the author of the exhibition “Virovitica Loves Trains”, and the “Oto Horvat” Association, at the Virovitica Railway Station, a stock market of railway models is held in March (and October). Every year, many exhibitors participate in the stock exchange, usually coming from Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. In addition to buying, selling, and replacing models and model parts, the exchange is also an opportunity to consult the top modelists.

 

VIROEXPO

 

Since 1994, an international fair of economy, crafts and agriculture has been held in Virovitica. In an area of approximately 28,000 square meters, Viroexpo is one of the largest fairs in Croatia, which annually gathers over 700 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors from numerous countries. In addition to many exhibitors, the fair features an extensive program of expert lectures with important business-related informations. Also, there is a cultural and entertaining program accompanied by many musical and cultural performances.

 

March / April

 

EASTER IN VIROVITICA

 

Easter fair, on the newly renovated promenade in front of the Petar Preradović High School, presents creative workshops and interesting games by various local associations, Professional and Industrial-Craftsmen School, Kindergarten “Cvrčak” and guests from other cities. Simultaneously, in the sports hall of the Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić Elementary School is held a sports-musical-humanitarian event called “Easter in every Home”.

 

APRIL

 

INTERNATIONAL STREET RACE – VIROVITICA 1,2,3,4

 

The international sporting event “Virovitica 1,2,3,4” brings together up to 900 competitors in eight different categories. Every generation is involved in the street race – from pre-school children, elementary and middle school students to senior citizens and veteran categories. Also, in the street race participate competitors from numerous cities in Croatia and runners from Hungary.

 

FRKA – FESTIVAL OF JOYFUL CULTURE

 

A large number of cultural events have been combined under the name Festival of Joyful Culture – FRKA, which takes place during the month of April in Virovitica. Organized by the Civic Initiatives Center “Spajalica”, a series of lectures, exhibitions, concerts and theater performances are held at the City Museum, the Virovitica Theater and the Church of St. Roko.

 

May

 

VIROVITICA BIKE RIDE AND MAY DAY GATHERING

 

Traditional bike ride and labour day gathering take place on Virovitica fish ponds, with organized cultural and entertainment program and with free bean stew and drinks. The initial gathering of cyclists is on the promenade in front of the High School and then the bikers cycle to Virovitica ponds where the traditional celebration of labour day continues.

 

SPRING SOUNDS OF JAN VLAŠIMSKY

 

This event was created on the tradition of music education in Virovitica, that exists more than 120 years. Each year, it is organized during the month of May by the Czech association “Češka beseda” Virovitica and the Czech Union in the Republic of Croatia, with the co-organization of the Jan Vlašimsky Music School, HPD “Rodoljub” and the Virovitica City Music. This praiseworthy musical event is dedicated to classical music and was established in honor of the virtuoso composer and music educator Jan Vlašimsky, who spent much of his musical life in Virovitica.

 

NORIJADA – PROM CELEBRATION

 

In order to commemorate the completion of high school education, graduates organize social gatherings at City Park called “Norijada” (which in Croatian means “Crazy Fun”).

 

MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT “SALUTATION TO ACO”

 

The humanitarian tournament is being held in honor of the tragically deceased tennis enthusiast and recreational player Darko Aleksić. It is played in the men’s and women’s singles categories. Each year more and more players from all parts of Croatia, including neighboring Hungary, participate in the tournament. 

 

SUMMER IN THE CITY

 

June

 

MOTO GATHERINGS

 

Every year the “Kumovi” Moto Club from Virovitica organizes Moto Gatherings. Many bikers gather in Virovitica where they perform various two-wheeled stunts. The biker party continues throughout the night with rock concerts at Šištat.

 

VIROVITICA THEATER SUMMER

 

During the month of June, all theater lovers can enjoy numerous theatrical performances of the Virovitica Theater, as well as plays from the guest theaters. It is a traditional event attended by several thousand visitors every year, and admission to all performances is free.

 

PIRUETA CUP

 

It is a three-day long international rhythmic gymnastics tournament with over 200 competitors and with an entertaining program that every year attracts numerous visitors to our city.

 

June / July

 

INTERNATIONAL ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL

 

Virovitica Rock & Blues Festival is a part of the official European rock blues festivals. It is a two nighter being held on the summer terrace of the Cultural Center, organized by the Music Association “Nota”, and it features local and guest rock and blues bands.

 

July

 

THE PALACE MUSIC GIGS

 

In the beautiful surroundings of the courtyard of the Pejačević Palace, Virovitica Tourist Board, Virovitica Youth Club and Virovitica Cultural Alternative Society – ViKA organize rock evenings under the stars. Free concerts of local and guest bands are organized for all visitors.

 

August

 

ROKOVO

 

A traditional event, which by number of visitors and program volume is one of the largest events in this part of Croatia. It is a time when various exhibitions, theater plays, concerts, fashion shows, folklore shows and more can be visited in the city. The central motif of the event is a Christian holiday of St. Roko, the patron saint of the Virovitica parish, and therefore that day, August 16, is celebrated as Virovitica City Day. In 2015 the Rokovo won the “Simply the Best” award for creative tourism product development in the category of entertainment festivals.

 

September

 

CARP ROAD OUTDOOR WEEKEND

 

The Carp Road Cycling Race is held every year on the 11,300 meter long mountain bike lane at Virovitica Ponds. It is one of the medium-difficult mountain bike paths. The three-day event features races from both the youngest and oldest riders, while the last day is reserved for runners in three categories – one of 3, 5 or 11 kilometers.

 

ATHLETIC HALF MARATHON BARCS – VIROVITICA

 

The marathon has been successfully held for many years. Since 2008, it has been included in the Croatian Athletic Association’s calendar as an official race that is scored according to CAA rules. The event gathers many athletes and it is organized annually in several categories. The small 5.8 km race and the main 21.5 km race from Virovitica to the Hungarian city of Barcs bring together athletes of all ages.

 

KARTING RACE – CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

 

The Cobra karting track in Virovitica hosts the Croatian Karting Championship race “Virovitica Award”. The organizer of the race is the auto-moto karting club “Cobra”.

 

October

 

AUTUMN IN THE CITY

 

The event “Autumn in the City” takes place on the promenade in front of the Peter Preradović High School and it brings together many visitors who enjoy autumn colors that have graced the city, as well as exhibits made by participants with their own hands.

 

KOLB’S DAYS

 

Festival of Classical and Sacred Music “Kolb’s Days” is celebrated in honor of composer Kamilo Kolb. In order to preserve Kolb’s music, which is of great significance, concerts are organized every year, and during these days Virovitica becomes a music center.

 

SMALL TRAINS FAIR

 

A number of exhibitors of train models and supporting materials from several countries participate in the “Small Trains Fair” at the Virovitica Railway Station. In addition to buying, selling, and replacing models and model parts, the fair is also an opportunity to consult the top modelists.

 

November

 

MARTINJE (ST. MARTIN’S DAY)

 

The association of wine and fruit growers “Sveti Vinko” from Virovitica in cooperation with the Tourist Board of Virovitica every year organizes a celebration of St. Martin’s day in Sveti Đurađ. As part of the event, “new wine“ is baptized into wine at a traditional ceremony. 

 

December

 

DECEMBER IN THE CITY

 

The traditional manifestation dedicated to December customs, including numerous smaller events, brings the spirit of Christmas to the city. The manifestation begins with the traditional lightning of the first Advent candle and also Christmas lights throughout the city. After that, the program “Advent in the Palace” is held throughout the whole month of December, accompanied with numerous concert, exhibition, traditional and theatrical events. Christmas concert is traditionally performed in the courtyard of the Pejačević Palace by students of the Jan Vlašimsky Music School, while other events take place all over the city – in the Church of st. Roko, the City Library, the Czech House, the City Museum and in the Virovitica Theater.

 

EXHIBITION OF SMALL ANIMALS

 

Each year Small Animal Breeders Society “Golub” (which means “The Pigeon” in Croatian) and the Tourist Board of Virovitica organize an exhibition of small animals.  The exhibition is enthusiastically visited by many visitors, and it is usually most popular with children.