Beli Manastir is marking City Day with a rich programme of cultural, entertainment, sports and gastronomic events. The celebrations run from 25 October to 21 November 2026, and residents and visitors can look forward to a concert by popular group Vatra, theatre performances, exhibitions, sports tournaments and numerous other activities.
Group Vatra, a popular Croatian rock band, will perform on Saturday, 7 November, starting at 20:00 on Trg slobode (Freedom Square) in Beli Manastir. On the same day, from 09:00 to 15:00, a fair of domestic products with a rich gastronomic offer will be held on Trg slobode, while an exhibition of traditional dishes will be organised from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Baranja Serbian House. The programme includes a book presentation and a workshop for children at the City Library, as well as a bocce tournament and a tournament of the III. Prva hrvatska rukometna liga – Istok (Third Croatian Handball League – East).
On Monday, 9 November, at 19:00, the comedy “Vrata do” will be performed in the Great Hall of the Centar za kulturu (Culture Centre), produced by Teatar Exit. Admission to the performance is free, and it is a gift from the City of Beli Manastir and the Culture Centre to all citizens on the occasion of City Day.
The central part of the ceremonial marking will take place on Wednesday, 11 November, on the feast of St Martin, the city’s patron saint. The programme begins at 11:00 with a Holy Mass in the Church of St Martin the Bishop, followed by the traditional blessing of wine in the church courtyard at 12:00. At 17:00, a performance of the legend of St Martin is scheduled at 31a Ulica svetog Martina (St Martin Street).
On Saturday, 14 November, a gastronomic event “Okusi Baranje s Baranjske tržnice” (Tastes of Baranja from the Baranja Market) will be held at the City Market from 08:30, featuring a gastro show. On the same day, the memorial chess tournament “Prof. Antun Bubalović”, a conference dedicated to transforming the eno-gastronomic tradition of Baranja into a premium tourist product, and the XII. Smotra zborova (12th Choir Review) on the occasion of City Day will take place.
During November, numerous exhibitions, lectures and educational contents are also organised. Visitors will be able to view the painting exhibition “Stopama sv. Martina” (In the Footsteps of St Martin), participate in lectures on historical and cultural topics, and visit the National Biennial Exhibition “Minijature Beli Manastir 2026.” On Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 November, from 09:00 to 17:00, a free tour of the Ethnological Centre of Baranja Heritage will be organised.
The sports part of the programme includes handball, fishing, bocce, chess and other tournaments, while the youngest will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and cultural activities. The finale of the programme is scheduled for Saturday, 21 November, when the European Night of Theatre will be held at 17:00 at the Culture Centre.
