The Croatian community in Australia is rich with tradition and culture that is preserved through numerous festivals and events across the continent. Here are the most important manifestations that bring together Croats and lovers of Croatian culture in Australia:
1. Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
The oldest and longest-running football tournament in Australia, held since 1974. This tournament brings together Croatian clubs from across Australia and is considered the largest ethnic football competition in the country. The inspiration for the tournament came from successful examples in North America, with the first official tournament held in 1975 in Sydney. This year, the Gold Coast Knights are hosting the 51st CSAA Soccer Tournament, whilst the Gold Coast Croatian Sports Centre and the entire Croatian community of the Gold Coast are preparing for this one of the biggest events in the Croatian community calendar, which will be held from 25-28 September.
2. Croktoberfest
A unique blend of German Oktoberfest tradition with a Croatian twist. The event organised by Melbourne Croatia SC is unique in that, besides local musicians, it also hosts some names from the Croatian music scene. Excellent entertainment under a large marquee, outdoor and indoor bars serving German and Croatian beers, home-cooked food, and the special attraction of spit-roasted ox draws numerous members of Melbourne’s Croatian community and beyond.
3. ‘Crabfest’ – Adelaide
A crab-catching competition that concludes with a communal lunch at the Croatian Sports Centre in Adelaide, bringing together all generations. The blue of the sea, good fun from the early morning hours with nets and fishing gear, ends with measuring the span of the largest crabs’ claws. All crabs caught during the competition are used to prepare a traditional meal enjoyed by the entire community.
4. Croatian Cultural Festival Footscray
Organised by AHD Melbourne in Footscray, this rich cultural programme includes stalls with Croatian food, folkloric performances, exhibitions and music. This event draws large numbers of Croats but also appeals to other visitors who are especially delighted by the Croatian food on offer.
5. Victorian Children’s Folkloric Zabava and Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival
On 8 August 2025, the 8th Victorian Children’s Folkloric Zabava will be held at the Croatian Catholic Centre (HKC) in Sunshine. This touching celebration of heritage, music and dance brings together the youngest members of the community who spend months learning and practising traditions passed down through generations.
This year, on 7 June, the third consecutive Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival was held in Melbourne. An event that exudes emotions, togetherness and pride, regularly attracting a large number of Croatian folk dancers from Australia. Alongside the spectacular folkloric programme, the festival days are filled with socialising in Croatian clubs and entertainment that doesn’t lack song and dance.
Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival 2025 Melbourne: https://youtu.be/8swHCQVifE4?si=mOmHRIjNjLz0oguJ
6. Fešta – Croatian Food & Wine Festival
The most famous and largest Croatian festival in Australia, held every year in November at the Croatian Sports Centre in Adelaide. The Fešta, which has a long-standing tradition behind it, began as a modest manifestation but today attracts thousands of visitors from across Australia. The festival focuses on authentic Croatian cuisine prepared according to traditional recipes and techniques, making Fešta unique in a region known for gastronomic festivals. Photos: https://www.facebook.com/Cro.Sports.Centre
7. ‘Cro N Shine’ & ‘Dinamo Car and Bike Show’
Photos: ‘Dinamo Car and bike show’
The outdoor spaces of the Croatian Club Bosna Sydney with their ‘Cro ‘n’ Shine’ and Dinamo St. Albans with their ‘Dinamo Car and bike show’ are places of unique happenings. Displayed vintage cars, well-maintained metal favourites, modified or perfectly preserved limousines delight all lovers of old automobiles and motorbikes who also participate. This unique event brings together the Croatian community with car enthusiasts. Of course, there’s always a wide selection of home-cooked food and good music.
Photos ‘Cro ‘n’ Shine’ : https://www.facebook.com/auhrvati
8. Seljačka večer – Brisbane
The ‘Seljačka Zabava’ in Brisbane confirms its special character. A celebration in the spirit of tradition that brings rural atmosphere with traditional food, folklore and music. This manifestation held at the Croatian Club Brisbane preserves the rural spirit of Croatian heritage in Brisbane’s Croatian community.
9. Christmas in July – Sydney
The Croatian folkloric group Mladi Frankopani from Sydney has been organising this special event for years, which has become an essential part of the Croatian community’s cultural calendar. With a rich folkloric programme and special surprises such as a visit from St. Nicholas, this winter celebration brings warm Christmas atmosphere to the Australian winter.
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2306534472728140&type=3
10. Lastovski poklad – Geelong
The Croatian Lastovo Society in Geelong organises ‘poklad’ – the carnival tradition with customs brought from the island of Lastovo, including ‘maškare’ (masqueraders). Traditional costumes, original outfits, sword dancing… are part of the rich programme that this event brings, preserving a unique regional identity of Croatian culture.
Lastovski poklad 2025.; Hrvatsko lastovsko drustvo Australija https://youtu.be/VIkfZ8v8QoA?si=0C1FI-SDqTtLFCAE
Church Holidays and Significant Dates
Numerous church holidays and commemorative days are celebrated in Croatian communities: St. Anthony’s Day, Corpus Christi, St. Leopold’s Day, Blessed Stepinac Day, Pentecost, the feast of St. Anne in North Fremantle and more. These religious events preserve the spiritual tradition of the Croatian community. Along with celebrations of parish patron saints, after solemn masses, social gatherings and meetings of parishioners and members of the wider Croatian community are regularly organised.
In addition, major state holidays, significant dates in Croatian history, as well as some national days such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day... are occasions for communal gatherings. Such events are included in the regular calendar of the Croatian community.
We have highlighted some of the events that have over the years become favourite meeting places, a living chronicle of Croatian culture in Australia, where tradition is preserved and passed on to new generations. Each of them contributes to strengthening Croatian identity and enables the community to remain connected to its roots far from the homeland.
And about events you’re planning in your club, organisation… let us know! May they too be successful, covered and recorded on the Croatian Herald’s website! Let’s continue building bridges between cultures and preserving our rich heritage for future generations.
