For the people of Šibenik, summer  "officially" begins when the flag of the International Children's Festival is raised and when the little ones sing everyone's favorite song "Zdravo Maleni".

 It is a city for which summer was never just clear sea, sun and sightseeing of historical monuments. Šibenik is called the "city of festivals", and the oldest and most important one is the International Children's Festival (MDF), which has been a trademark of Šibenik for more than 60 years, a unique festival that attracts children and adults from all over the world to Šibenik for two weeks.

This year, Šibenik becomes a stage, for the 63rd time. The streets burst with creativity, and the squares and streets are the points of the most interesting encounters: Every new festival year gives  new young talents and the most special friendships. Every festival story begins on the summer stage, between the Cathedral of St James and the Town Hall - already a mythical place where the magic becomes real, and then it spreads through Šibenik's streets, squares, the Croatian National Theater and Šibeniks surroundins. Šibenik becomes  a meeting place for poets and children, an open cinema on the old stairs of Gorica, a classroom for journalism, sculpture, comics, film and video recording, architecture and construction, poetry, painting, design, IT design, puppetry, music, and movement.

This year's program opens on June 24 with ''Fisherman Palunko and his Wife'' performed by the Theater and Concert Hall "Ivana Brlić Mažuranić", and after the show on the streets that have never been more crowded, the people of Šibenik and their guests will enjoy the traditional Šibenik night with fireworks and a band concert "Silente".

The very next day, the program expands to other locations and every day is perfectly organized so that everyone can find the most ideal activity for themselves. It is interesting to highlight the XICS DEL XURRAC - 16 wooden games in which you can participate at Poljana. Roll up your sleeves and join in building beautiful wooden towers inspired by the Catalan tradition of 'Castells' or human towers. Tombs Creatius creates intricate wooden interactive games and installations that are fun for the whole family.

Children's film classics such as "Vuk Samotnjak" or "Družba Pere Kvržice" will be shown at open cinema at Gorica, and one of the interesting things is definitely "Opera za bebe - opera Rosa" for ages one year and up. It is interactive journey for young and old, it invites children to move freely and explore the world of music, sound, and movement, created for them.

You can view the entire program of the International Children's Festival HERE, and don't forget to check the workshop schedule.

MDF lowers its flag on July 8, as the most magical introduction to the programs and festivals of a long, warm summer.

Šibenik's fortresses, which once protected Šibenik's city center, today, in addition to magnificent cultural attractions, are a real musical mecca that gathers the most famous international and local music names. Emeli Sandé, José James, Bonobo, Maksim Mrvica are just some of the names that will entertain the audience at the Fortress of St. Michael. Find the schedule of events and more information HERE.

Šibenik offers a variety of programs, and one of them is traditional evenings of Dalmatian a capella choirs (so called klape), which are held every Thursday in July, August, and mid-September, organized by the Šibenik Tourist Board.

Lovers of chanson and good music will enjoy the Evenings of Dalmatian chanson, which are scheduled for August 18, and in two evenings the audience has the opportunity to hear old (many favorite) hits at the evenings of old compositions. The day after the evening is scheduled for new compositions, and undoubtedly, every year several songs completely conquer both the critics and the audience.

We believe, there is no better invitation to come to Šibenik. Therefore, see you this summer, because the City is a stage!