Serbia punches far above its weight in festivals, with two events that draw visitors from across Europe.
EXIT Festival (July, Novi Sad) -- One of Europe's leading music festivals, held in the spectacular Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube. EXIT started in 2000 as a student protest movement and has grown into a four-day event featuring major international acts across electronic, rock, and hip-hop stages. The fortress setting, with stages tucked into moats and tunnels, makes it unlike any other festival.
Guca Trumpet Festival (August, Guca) -- The world's largest brass band festival, held annually since 1961 in a small town in central Serbia. Trumpet orchestras compete fiercely for the Golden Trumpet award while hundreds of thousands of visitors eat roast pig, drink rakija, and dance in the streets. It is free to attend and utterly unforgettable. Book accommodation well in advance or camp.
Belgrade Beer Fest (August, Belgrade) -- A free open-air festival on the Belgrade waterfront with live music and Serbian and international beers. It draws half a million visitors over five days.
Kustendorf Film and Music Festival (January, Mokra Gora) -- Founded by filmmaker Emir Kusturica in his custom-built wooden village Drvengrad near Zlatibor. A small, intimate festival focused on independent cinema.
Slava -- Not a public festival but a uniquely Serbian tradition. Every Serbian family celebrates its patron saint's day (slava) with a feast, and being invited to one is a privilege. If you are offered the opportunity, accept.