For twenty three years, at the end of August, the historical city core of Varaždin is transformed into the largest stage in Croatia. During the ten days of Špancirfest, the streets, squares, palaces, parks, gardens, and courtyards of historic Varaždin become stages, theatres, restaurants, bars, clubs, classrooms, and shops at the largest, most popular and most diverse Croatian festival.
After it was impossible to organise Špancirfest last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this street festival returned this year bringing together artists and performers from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Hungary.
The festival attraction over the several past years has been the so called wine city in which this year too 15 Croatian winemakers will present their products.
The director of the Varaždin Board of Tourism, Jelena Toth, said in normal circumstances the festival attracts approximately 300,000 visitors but this year, dur to the health restrictions, this number wold be halved.
Concerts at the festival can be attended only with COVID certificates, for those without it, organisers set up a stand where they can be immediately tested.