Scene
Each August, the night skies above Croatia’s Adriatic coast come alive with the Perseids meteor shower – streaks of light cutting through the dark in one of nature’s most striking shows. On Cres, those falling stars share the stage with another midsummer spectacle: the Perseids Festival, a four-day, crowd-funded gathering devoted to underground electronic music, nature, and community.
Now in its second edition, the crowd-funded event keeps numbers low, just 300 tickets. From August 14th to 17th – runs without sponsors, favouring a self-sustained, community-focused approach.
Set between Tarej Beach and Forest Beach, the location is as much a part of the experience as the music itself. Oak forests meet turquoise water, and the nearest tourist crowds feel a world away. Facilities are minimal by design, with festivalgoers camping along the shoreline in vans, tents, or under the stars. A strict leave-no-trace policy means the landscape is left as untouched as it was found.
Musically, Perseids steers away from headliner culture. The lineup is made up of DJs, producers, and live acts from across Europe, with performances shaped around the time of day and the crowd’s energy – sunrise sessions melting into lazy afternoon grooves, and nights stretching deep into the forest. Genres mix freely, and the focus is on artistic quality rather than mainstream recognition.
While the dancefloor is the heart of the festival, space is never in short supply. Quiet areas offer a break from the beat, whether to watch the stars, swim in the bay, or simply take in the surroundings.
In a season dominated by large-scale events, Perseids offers something different: a slower, more personal kind of festival experience, where music, nature, and community are equally important.
Tickets are available here. Swim. Sleep. Rave. Repeat.
