Camellia Days (Fešta kamelija)
Stoliv celebrates its camellia bloom with flower exhibitions, concerts and the Camellia Ball.
Stoliv is a sliver of a village on the quieter shore of the bay — a line of stone houses between the water and the steep green hillside, with camellias flowering in gardens and along the paths above. In late March, when the Boka is at its quietest and greenest, the bloom turns the village into the bay's unofficial botanical event.
The heart of the programme is a juried exhibition of camellia bouquets and floral arrangements, with awards for the finest entries, alongside concerts and art shows. In Kotor, the festivities culminate in the Camellia Ball, where one lady is crowned Dama kamelije — the Camellia Lady — for the year.
It is a genuine village fešta rather than a staged spectacle: locals, flowers, music and the bay in early spring. Visitors wander the exhibition, listen to the concerts and stroll the waterfront between events — a slow afternoon in a village that sees few crowds the rest of the year.
The tradition's roots give it its charm: a maritime souvenir turned local identity, celebrated by the village for generations. The 2026 edition carried extra weight, as Stoliv also marked 700 years since its first mention in written records.
The festival takes place in late March in Stoliv, with the ball held in Kotor. Entry is free, and the village is an easy shoreside stop on the way around the bay.
What to expect
Flowers from Japan
Stoliv's camellias were brought from Japan by Boka seafarers centuries ago.
41st edition in 2026
The festival's central event in 2026 took place on Sunday 29 March.
Juried flower exhibition
Camellia bouquets and arrangements compete for awards before a jury.
Camellia Ball in Kotor
The ball crowns one lady as the year's Dama kamelije.
700 years of Stoliv
The 2026 festival also marked seven centuries since the village's first written mention.
Spring on the quiet shore
Late March shows the Boka green, calm and in bloom — the best season to catch village life.
What happens when
March 27 – 28, 2027
- Camellia BallGala evening in Kotor with the crowning of the Dama kamelije for the year
- Central fešta in StolivJuried exhibition of camellia bouquets and floral arrangements, with awards for the best entries
- Accompanying programmeConcerts and art shows around the village and the bay
Where it takes place
Where to Eat in Kotor
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Plan your stay
Kotor — 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.
Dan širuna — Horse Mackerel Day
1,500 kg of free grilled fish and flowing wine close Budva's season each October.
Shooting the Kokot (Perast Votive Day)
Perast marks its 1654 victory with processions, the Boka Navy kolo, mass and wreath-laying.
Boka Navy Day (Dan Bokeljske mornarice)
Kotor's UNESCO-listed Boka Navy dances its kolo in full historic uniform every 26 June.
