Kotor Carnival
Kotor's winter carnival: masked parades through the Old Town and a grand closing Sunday procession.
This event has ended
Next edition: February 5, 2027
February is the month when Kotor belongs to itself. Cruise crowds have left, stone squares are quiet, and medieval walls climbing the mountain above town frame streets that suddenly look local again. Into that silence the carnival brings noise, colour and mischief — which is exactly the point of the winter festival.
For ten days masked parades pass through the streets and squares of the Old Town, led by city carnival groups. Visitors who wander in during carnival days find the city in costume: processions pushing through narrow lanes, music echoing off stone, satire and masks taking over spaces that belong to tourists in summer.
The festivities culminate in the traditional finale: a grand carnival procession on the final Sunday, which in 2026 was moved from the 15th to Sunday, February 22 because of severe weather. This is the day to come if you can come only once — the whole carnival gathered into one procession through town, with the largest crowds of all ten days along the route.
Kotor takes its carnival heritage seriously — masks, satire and processions are woven into the city’s identity, and the winter festivities bring the Old Town to life at a time of year when it belongs almost entirely to locals. Of the city’s two carnivals, this one is more intimate, staged for the community itself rather than for summer crowds, and that is exactly its charm for visitors.
The Winter Carnival takes place every February in Kotor’s Old Town; the 2026 edition ran from February 6 to 22. All events are free to watch from the streets and squares, with no tickets or reservations needed — just find a spot along the route.
What to expect
One of Kotor’s two carnivals
Kotor stages a carnival twice a year — this winter edition and its summer twin in August.
Masked parades in the Old Town
Carnival groups lead masked processions through the stone streets and squares.
Ceremonial final procession
The festivities close with the traditional procession on the last Sunday — in 2026 on February 22, a week later due to bad weather.
Free street festival
Everything happens outdoors, free to watch throughout the Old Town.
Kotor without the crowds
February shows the Old Town in its quietest period — the carnival is the best reason to visit out of season.
No planning needed
Just show up during carnival days; parades pass through the streets and squares around you.
What happens when
February 6 – 22, 2026
- Fri6FebFriday, February 6The carnival opensThe winter festivals begin in Kotor’s Old Town.
- Sun22FebSunday, February 22Grand final processionThe traditional final procession passes through town on the last Sunday.
Photos
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.
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.
International Children's Carnival
An international children's masked parade takes over Herceg Novi each early June.