International Children's Carnival
An international children's masked parade takes over Herceg Novi each early June.
Herceg Novi takes carnival seriously: the winter Mimosa celebration is one of the town's defining traditions, and the children's edition extends that identity to the next generation at the sunniest end of spring. The town centre — squares, promenade and the streets between — becomes the parade ground, decked out for its smallest performers.
Masked children's groups from across the region parade through the town centre in costumes they have spent months preparing, and the day's central ritual mirrors the grown-up carnival with a twist: the city keys are ceremonially handed over to the children, making them Herceg Novi's rulers for the day.
Music and dance carry the programme along the route, and the whole town centre takes on the colour and noise of a festival built to a child's scale — smaller marchers, bigger smiles, and an audience of proud families lining the way.
For the town, the day is more than a spectacle: it is how a carnival culture keeps itself alive, teaching children the pride of months of costume-making and the thrill of a crowd's applause, so that the tradition has heirs ready to carry it into the decades ahead.
The carnival is free to watch and joyfully easy to join as a spectator. Early June is a gentle time on the Herceg Novi riviera — warm enough for the beach, calm enough to enjoy the town — and the children's parade makes a memorable centrepiece for a family visit, with the beaches and the seaside promenade filling the rest of the day.
What to expect
Carnival for the youngest
The children's counterpart of Herceg Novi's winter Mimosa carnival, held in early June.
City keys to the kids
The ceremonial handover makes children the town's rulers for the day.
Regional masked groups
Children's carnival groups from around the region parade in handmade costumes.
Free family day
Music, dance and colour through the town centre — no tickets needed.
A tradition raising its heirs
The children's edition keeps Herceg Novi's carnival culture alive by passing it to the next generation.
Gentle-season visit
Early June on the riviera: warm enough for the beach, calm enough to enjoy the town with kids.
What happens when
June 5, 2027 · 18:00
- MorningGathering of masked children's groups from across the region in the town centre
- MiddayCeremonial handover of the city keys to the children
- AfternoonChildren's carnival parade with music and dance through the town centre
Where it takes place
Plan your stay
Herceg Novi — where to stay and how to get around
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online — you pay the host on site.
Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.
More events
What else is on in Montenegro around the same time.
Kotor Carnival
Traditional winter carnival in Kotor Old Town, with masked balls, parades and the burning of the carnival — the exact date of the 2027 edition will be announced later.
Budva International Carnival
Five free days of Abrum processions, a grand Old Town parade and a children's carnival in Budva.
Žućenica Fest
Tivat's 20-year-old gastro feast of wild chicory — tastings, awards and klapa on the waterfront.
