Traditional Events

Lopar night – back to the roots

In order to preserve customs and tradition and to transfer them to the next generation, as well as to present them to our visitors in an appealing manner, we have established an event called “Lopar night – Return to the Roots”. From the very beginning, this has been a spectacle for everyone involved, because the historical play includes both performers and audience into a lively experience.

Lopar night brings back to life old arts and crafts, authentic tools that were used and the traditional food that was eaten back then. Traces of those roots are still present in everyday life, some of the tools are still in use or are appreciated as a valuable memento from the past.

The highlight of the evening is a majestic procession honouring the departure of St Marinus, the saint whose roots are originating from Lopar, according to local legend.

Fishermen’s Fiesta

During the summer season, there are several fishing village festivities which are extremely popular both among the visitors and the locals. The fishermen of Lopar demonstrate traditional fishing techniques, collect their nets and prepare seafood dishes in various ways – you will have the opportunity to enjoy excellent food, a glass of local wine and live music which will give you a taste of the idyllic nature of life in a small fishing village.

Visitors can enjoy the traditional dances tanac and pojka danced to the sounds of the traditional wind instrument, mih, several times in the summer during the performances of the Lopar cultural and artistic association “San Marino”.

Local crafts fair

You appreciate local manufactures and are always on the lookout for authentic products? Look no further – Local Crafts Fair is the place for you!

Handcrafted souvenirs, local produce and genuine food made with love are inviting to take them in the hand, flip and admire until you find that one piece you just have to take home with you.

A daily exhibition of locally manufactured products is the overture to the evening event – a concert of traditional instrument mih (pipes), that used to be the only musical instrument of the past. Mih was played at weddings and at funerals, we danced to its music at carnivals and holidays… Festival of Pipes brings the air of the past times and the lifestyle of our ancestors, their dances, songs and their cheerfulness. This will cheer you up too, we promise!

Daily exhibition of handcrafted products is in the open air, in the beautiful atmosphere of Park Kapic. Free entrance.

The Birth of Mary – “Little Lady”

Lopar nurtures a long tradition of celebrating the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8th of September. On this day, pilgrims and visitors start gathering around the church of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary from very early in the morning and Holy Mass is celebrated at 10.00 a.m., 3.00 p.m., and 5.00 p.m.

The Lopar feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is accompanied by delicious dishes prepared at the local restaurants for the celebration, including the traditional sočivo (bean, chickpea, lentil, and corn soup) as well as spit roast lamb, pork and ox.

There is a traditional five-a-side football tournament, which has the reputation of being one of the strongest tournaments in the country, a boccie tournament…

The feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also celebrated with a large undercover fiesta where the entertainment usually begins with the performance of the local San Marino folklore group and a group of visiting folklore performers, followed by famous Croatian singers.

Rabska fjera

The first and the largest medieval summer fair in Croatia, Rabska fjera is based on a tradition started 21st of July 1364, when the City Council of Rab decided to celebrate and honour King Louis the Great who freed them from the Venetian rule, as well as holiday honouring St. Christopher, patron saint of the town of Rab.

The entire island goes back in time during those days. Small artisan stores move to the streets, so you can have your belt or a perfumed pomade made in front of your eyes, while your hair is being braided with tiny flowers into a typical do from the medieval times. Freshly fried šulčići are served and an entire fishermen village is built at the beach, altogether with the traditional tools, machines and even toys for children.

During three days of Fjera streets of the old town are filled with the song and music, while tuna, fritule, cheese and wine are offered for tasting to visitors passing by.

Loparski Maškari

The tradition of carnival is present throughout the Mediterranean, and folk traditions and customs have been preserved in our region. As carnival masks have the task of driving away winter so that spring can come, carnival masks must be scary, toothy and horned, in order to scare away winter and drive it away.

(The Masquerades of Lopar) are the pride of the village since their tradition is over 150 years old. Lopar is the only village in the island of Rab that has preserved and nurtured the carnival tradition, with authentic masquerade and rituals.

On the last day of the carnival, Mardi Gras or as we call it Mesopust, the Masquerades of Lopar put on the traditional mask (a specific hat and a face cover) and they cruise the village to chase off the winter singing the old songs. They are invited into the homes of locals and they are offered with traditional food and drinks, to warm up and relax. While treated with homemade wine or brandy and eating traditional homemade food (rooster with homemade macaroni, salted meat with potatoes, homemade “prosciutto” and cheese, doughnut-like pastries called “hrostuli” and “frite” and an assortment of other cakes) in every house, they sing and bring joy to their host.

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Christmas fair in Lopar

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Fruga Art Trail

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AEROBIC acitivities on beach

PARADISE BEACH ČRNIKA - Monday - Saturday 10am

LIVAČINA BEACH- Monday - Wednesday - Friday from 5pm

GORNJI MEL BEACH - Thuesday and Thursday from 5pm

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022!

Tourist board Lopar

Sand sculpture festival 2022

The Sand Sculpture Festival is being held on the beautiful Rab beach this year as well, from June 28th to July 1st!

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Geopark Lopar

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Rab island Trail

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Join us on October 1th!

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Birth of Little Mary

The celebration begins early in the morning (September 8), when pilgrims accompanied by numerous tourists gather around the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and services are held at 10:00, 15:00 and 17:00.

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Mesopust in Lopar

(The Masquerades of Lopar) are the pride of the village since their tradition is over 150 years old. Lopar is the only village in the island of Rab that has preserved and nurtured the carnival tradition, with authentic masquerade and rituals.

Find out more

Sand Sculpture Festival

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Rab Archaeological Traces

The project Rab Archaeological (T)races was developed on the idea of an open-air museum, presenting about 30 archaeological sites in the area of the island of Rab.

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