Officially, spring in Montenegro starts on March 20th, the day of the vernal equinox. Generally, the arrival of spring in Montenegro can be felt on the coast from mid-February, when winter showers pass, plants begin to bloom, and it’s already not cold during the day in a light jacket. Holidays in Montenegro 2024, as in previous years, also start long before mid-March, from the beginning of February, and the calendar is quite busy.

Cultural events and festivals: the Kotor Carnival, the Mimosa Festival and the Budva Carnival

What holiday is most widely celebrated in Montenegro in February-March? Of course, the Carnival. Along the entire Adriatic coast, residents welcome spring with traditional festive processions, masquerades, and celebrations. Such holidays in Montenegro are a centuries-old tradition, originating from the times of the Venetian Republic, which at different times included cities of modern Montenegro’s coast: Perast, Kotor, Budva, Risan, and Herceg Novi.

Every year, the arrival of spring begins with the Carnival in Kotor and the Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi. In 2024, the Kotor carnival opened on February 3rd in Prčanj and will end on March 3rd with a big carnival parade, the burning of the effigy, and a concert in the Arms Square in Kotor. The mimosa festival in Montenegro in 2024 opened on February 15th and will also end on March 3rd with a colorful carnival.

Carnivals take place not only in Kotor and Herceg Novi but also in Budva. The Budva Carnival takes place at the end of April – beginning of May and lasts several days. This year its exact dates have not yet been announced, but in any case, spectators can expect bright colors and cultural rest.

On March 10th in Herceg Novi, one of the most unusual Montenegrin spring holidays will take place – traditional races on homemade bolides. It is planned to start at 11 o’clock at the Gradska kafana. The essence of the races is that racers participate on homemade vehicles, resembling both sleds and skateboards at the same time. Usually, the races are held as part of the mimosa festival, but this year the weather made significant adjustments, and the races were moved from the end of February to March.

Fish and Wine lovers can visit the annual Wine and Bleak festival on March 9th and 10th in Virpazar, on the shores of Skadar Lake. The advantage of the festival is that you can both try for free and buy products from local producers – and this is not only wine and fish but also olives, various vegetables and fruits, liqueurs and rakia, syrups, juices, figs, meat, and much more. In short, there will be a real feast in the Montenegrin spirit!

In March, after the mimosa festival, the floral baton is again taken by Kotor and the small village of Stoliv, where throughout the spring the Days of Camellias are held – another old local festival dedicated to the camellia flower – a symbol of the Bay of Kotor. Last year it was held at the end of March, April, and May, how it will be this year, it is necessary to follow the announcements in Montenegrin chats and on local news websites.

The Days of Camellias include a whole complex of different events. These are flower exhibitions, festive concerts, a sailing regatta, unusual fishermen races with wooden barges. All this happens on different days, so all events can be visited.

State and Orthodox holidays in Montenegro

Most official holidays and days off in Montenegro fall in May, while in March and April – none. March 8th is not considered a day off in Montenegro, but it is customary to congratulate women and give them flowers.

As for May, it should be morally prepared. Remember that from May 1st to 3rd in Montenegro, neither shops nor government institutions nor service enterprises will work, but this will not end there. On May 5th and 6th, 2024, Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter. And these days are considered non-working. So, Montenegro will rest the first six days of May this year.

On May 21st and 22nd, Montenegro celebrates Independence Day. Let’s remember that Montenegro is one of the youngest states in the world. It proclaimed its independence on May 21st, 2006. On national holidays of Montenegro, there are folk festivities and official events.

What is better to do in Montenegro when nothing works? In May, pleasant warm weather is established throughout the country, so on the May holidays in Montenegro, it is best to visit natural attractions, which are so many here. In May, numerous tours and excursions usually start, so there will be no boredom on weekends.

Sports events in Montenegro

In addition to cultural events, sports events will also take place this spring. Montenegro offers sports enthusiasts and active leisure fans an extremely rich program. The poster of upcoming sports events is as follows:

On March 31st in Podgorica, the Ultra-marathon Montenegro 2024 will take place. If you are ready to compete with other runners, you can now register as a participant in individual competitions at distances of 3, 5, 10, 21, and 50 km. The participation cost in the marathon is 10 euros.

Another event for running enthusiasts – the Ostrog Half Marathon – will take place on April 14th. Its route starts at the temple of St. Basil of Ostrog in Nikšić and ends at the Ostrog Monastery, known not only for its mesmerizing beauty but also for the serpentine, rising high into the mountain.

On April 28th, Kotor will become a sports center, where the Boka Bay Trail 2024 will take place. Its difference is not only in the unique length of distances of 17.1, 33.5, 59.8, and 83 km but also in the complexity of the routes, which pass through the mountains around the Bay of Kotor. Participants will have to run not just on roads but on terrain with significant elevation changes. This year, many Russians have confirmed their participation, so this is a great reason to join and test your strength!

On May 2nd, in the Durmitor National Park, obstacle course races “Durrador 2024 – Mini Bogaz” will take place. On the 17 km distance, organizers prepare 25 obstacles. Harsh Durmitor snow and other natural obstacles are also included.

Finally, May can be closed with the Plav Run 2024, which will take place on May 25-26 in the city of Plav, in the north of the country. The organizers offer participants distances of 5, 10, and 21 km. More about this race can be found on the website of the Plav tourist organization.

If March and April are months that can be quite cool, then May can boldly be called the beginning of the season. There are still few tourists, coastal hotels and restaurants are just opening after the winter, there are no traffic jams on the roads, but the hot breath of the Mediterranean summer is already approaching, which means that summer is coming soon and even more interesting events are ahead!