Tourism in Croatia: Hvar Tourist Board Published Events for 2012

The island of Hvar, recently named in Lonely Planet's top five destinations for 2012, has published its preliminary event calendar for next year.

After another successful season filled with the celebrity antics of Prince Harry andBeyonce, and basking in its nomination as Lonely Planet's fifth top destination for 2012 and among Conde Nast's top ten islands in Europe, the Hvar Town Tourist Board published its preliminary list of events for the 2012 season on November 5, 2011.

The calendar of events reflects the diverse nature of the tourism offer on Croatia's premier island, whose long tradition of hospitality includes it offering the oldest organised tourism in Europe.

Island of Hvar Confirmed Events for 2012

February 26: Costume Ball

March 8: The Annual Carnival before Lent, as the island's various kindergartens dress up and perform on the island's squares.

April 1-8: Week of festivities over the Easter period, the most important of which is the 500 year-old UNESCO-protected Easter Procession, known as Za Krizem (Behind the Cross).

April 9: Hvar Match Race, one of several regattas which take place in the Adriatic every year.

April 16-18: Gariful Hvar Women's Tennis Open, an annual event sponsored by leading local restaurant, Gariful, which also happened to be Prince's Harry's gastronomic choice during his short stay.

May 2-6: The 39th "Days of Croatian Theatre."

May 6-11: "Prix Marulic", the 16th international festival of radio plays and radio drama.

May 10: Festival of St. Prosper, a gastronomic extravaganza.

June 1: The 51st Hvar Summer Festival, a collection of theatre an concerts throughout the summer.

June 29: The 4th Lavender Festival in Velo Grablje, once the centre of lavender production in Dalmatia, and a unique event, including delicious lavender ice cream.

July 2: Olive Oil Fair "Summer with Olive Oil", a presentation of all aspects of olive production, one of the staples of the local economy.

August: The 37th Faros Marathon in Stari Grad, a 16km swim in the Adriatic, regarded as one of the toughest swimming races in the world.

August: The Jelsa Wine Festival, which is one of the most eagerly-awaited nights in the summer programme in Hvar's third biggest town. It takes place on the last weekend in August.

September: The 2nd Hvar Half Marathon, a challenging run up the hill from Stari Grad to Hvar Town, and arguably the most scenic run in Europe.

September 16: Festival of St. Kuzme and St. Damian in Velo Grablje.

October 1: Hvar Town Wine Festival.

October 2: Festival of St. Stephen, Patron Saint of Hvar, Brac and Vis.

October 6: The 2nd Traditional Sailboat Festival, "Festa Forske Pulene."

October 7: The 7th Island Regatta, a race from Hvar to Komiza on Vis and back.

December 24: "Hvar Bakalar", a culinary festival with the traditional dried cod dish.

December 28-31: The 36th International New Year traditional sailing regatta "Europa Cup."

December 31: The 32nd Navigation Regatta, "In memory of Zdenko Roic."

The list of events will be added to, as more concerts are confirmed, and will include the usual cultural summer offerings from the towns of Jelsa, Stari Grad and Vrboska, as well various traditional celebrations in Hvar's villages, such as the eclectic Edible Dormouse Festival in Dol.