Under the slogan “Spreading Love,” this year’s Budva Carnival will take place from April 30 to May 4, as announced by the Budva Tourist Organization.
“The Grand Carnival Parade alone, scheduled for Saturday, May 3, will bring together over 2,500 participants from numerous world-renowned carnival centers such as Rijeka, Pernik, Vrnjačka Banja, Bela Crkva, Venice, Kavadarci, Ptuj, as well as from other cities across the country, the region, and the world,” the organizers stated.
“For more than two decades, the Budva Carnival has been growing in popularity and attracting increasing attention from visitors worldwide. For the Tourist Organization of Budva Municipality, the Municipality of Budva, and the NGO 'Feštađuni', the challenge is to go beyond what has already been seen and deliver a richer, more imaginative, and more spectacular program,” the statement emphasized.
This year’s carnival program kicks off on Wednesday, April 30 at 2 p.m. with the traditional "abrum" – a festive parade traveling through Petrovac, Pržno, Sveti Stefan, and Rafailovići.
“Abrum, or the call to the carnival, is a unique event held only in Budva and is the most iconic part of the carnival days. The performance of masked 'Feštađuni', who invite locals and guests to join the celebration with music, dance, laughter, and a wide variety of coastal food and drinks, is a truly authentic experience for all participants and spectators. The abrum through the Old Town will take place traditionally on Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m., when Old Town residents and their guests will join the masked festivities,” said the Budva Tourist Organization.
Labor Day, May 1, and the following two evenings will be dedicated to a music program taking place at several locations in the Old Town area – the Painter’s Square, the Citadel Plateau, and the Palm Square.
Over the three days of the music program, a variety of musical genres will be featured, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and various styles of electronic music, according to the Carnival announcement.
On Thursday, May 1, at the Citadel Plateau, performances will include Bodziee and P.S., with Egyptian DJ Raxon headlining the night, supported by local DJ Burkakke.
The following day, May 2, the Citadel Plateau will host performances by the local band Radio Katakomba, Jack Lupino, DJ John K, and Tam. Meanwhile, on the live stage at Palm Square, Montenegrin pop-rock bands “Milky Wave” and “Fankulo” will perform.
The main event of the Budva Carnival, the Grand Carnival Parade, will begin on May 3 at 8 p.m., featuring more than 70 carnival groups marching from the “Bracera” hotel to the square in front of the Old Town, where each group will briefly present their themed message through a performance.
“That same evening, as part of the music program, the Citadel Plateau will feature leading representatives of Belgrade’s club scene, including performers from ‘Lift’ and ‘Karmakoma’ clubs. The audience can expect two back-to-back (B2B) sets: one by Aleksandra Duende and Iva Arifaj, and another by the duo Nikola Vemić and Sacha Mambo, with local support from DJ Starac. Meanwhile, at Palm Square’s live stage, Eliza Stark and the local band ‘Priganitze’ will take the stage on May 3,” the statement continued.
The 22nd International Budva Carnival will conclude on Sunday, May 4, with the Children’s Carnival Parade, which this year features more than 200 young participants from various towns across Montenegro and Serbia.
“Starting at 4 p.m., costumed children will parade from the city kindergarten ‘Ljubica Jovanović - Maše’ to the square in front of the Old Town, where they will present their performances. Much to the delight of the children and youngest visitors, a grand masquerade show will follow. The spring celebration in Budva will be crowned with a grand fireworks display, sending the heartfelt message from Budva – ‘Spreading Love!’” the Budva Tourist Organization concluded.
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