Cest is d'Best Zagreb 2026 – Street Arts Festival in the City Heart | Croatia
Cest is d'Best brings 300+ international street performers to Zagreb's public spaces for 4 days each May. Acrobats, musicians, theatre, and circus acts — all free to attend.
Cest is d'Best is one of Central Europe's most beloved street arts festivals, transforming Zagreb's plazas, parks, and public spaces into open-air stages for four exhilarating days at the end of May. For over two decades, the festival has invited more than 300 performers from across Croatia and the world to perform simultaneously on dozens of stages scattered through the capital — creating a citywide carnival of circus acts, acrobatics, theatre, live music, dance, and visual art that is entirely free to attend and open to all.
A Festival Without Walls
What makes Cest is d'Best so special is its model: performances happen simultaneously in public squares, shopping streets, pedestrian zones, and parks throughout Zagreb's centre, from Tomislavac Square near the main railway station all the way to Zrinjevac and the Upper Town. There are no wristbands, no access restrictions, and no barriers between audience and performer — just the organic spontaneity of a great city amplified by extraordinary talent. Visitors wander from act to act, discovering fire jugglers on one corner, an Argentinian tango duo on the next, and a full theatre company performing original work in a park.
International Programme
The festival's programming is international in scope and surprisingly high in ambition. Past editions have featured companies and soloists from France, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Japan, and dozens of other countries, alongside Croatian performers who use the platform to debut new work. The festival actively selects acts that push the boundaries of street performance — not just busking, but full theatrical productions reimagined for outdoor public space.
Zagreb as a Festival City
Zagreb is already one of Europe's most underrated capital cities — its baroque Upper Town, Art Nouveau Lower Town, and vibrant café culture create a compelling backdrop for any festival. Cest is d'Best showcases the city at its most animated, when locals and visitors alike fill the streets until midnight and the whole of the centre feels like a stage. Combine with visits to the Central Croatia countryside, the Museum of Broken Relationships, or a day trip to Plitvice Lakes.
Dates 2026: May 30 – June 2 (4 days). All events free, no ticket required.
Getting There: Zagreb is Croatia's capital, well connected by train, bus, and plane. The festival takes place throughout the city centre — all major performance zones are walkable from the main tram stops on Ilica and Trg Bana Jelačića.
Tips: Download the festival app or pick up a programme map to track where your favourite acts are performing. Peak times are evenings (6–10pm) — come mid-afternoon for a calmer experience. Zagreb's street cafe scene makes it easy to eat and drink between shows. Pair with INmusic Festival if visiting Zagreb in late June.
