Events in Istria in November 2026: full calendar

Events in Istria in November 2026: what’s on and where to go

November in Istria is the month of truffles, young wine and the first olive oil. Events in Istria in November 2026 bring more than 60 happenings across the whole peninsula. We have prepared a date-by-date overview with verified dates and official sources. It covers the Istrian Truffle Festival, St. Martin’s Day in Momjan, the Young Olive Oil Days and St. Maurus. At the end you will find Advent opening dates for every Istrian town. Velox Tours from Poreč has followed the Istrian calendar for more than 30 years. That is why we added practical tips on accommodation, transfers and bookings.

Why November is a great month to visit Istria

The summer crowds are gone and accommodation is cheaper. Konobas are in full swing thanks to the truffle season. Winemakers open their cellars for St. Martin’s Day. Oil mills press the first young oil. Daytime highs in Istria in November are around 14 °C. The sea is still around 15 °C, so coastal walks are pleasant. Events in Istria in November therefore attract guests from Slovenia, Italy and Austria.

Our tip: book your accommodation early for the weekends of 7–8 and 14–15 November. The Truffle Festival and St. Martin’s Day take place then, so Buzet and Momjan are full.

Events in Istria in November: truffles and food festivals

The white truffle season officially runs until 8 November. The Istrian White Truffle Days close with two major events.

Zigante Truffle Days, Livade – 31 October and 1 November

The final fair weekend in Livade runs from 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is free. The stalls offer fresh white and black truffles and local products. The highlight is a truffle-hunting demonstration by tourist train in the Motovun forest. The ride takes about 45 minutes. Adults pay €15, children €10.

Istrian Truffle Festival, Buzet – 7 and 8 November

The Istrian Truffle Festival takes place in the big tent at Mašimova škuja. The programme includes a truffle exhibition, tastings and sales of Istrian products. Buzet’s restaurateurs cook in the culinary show “Buzet na pjatu”. There is a kids’ corner for children. On Saturday 7 November the “Truffle Hunt” also starts, an orienteering race for pairs. Teams combine running and mountain biking, with a shovel and a dog as mandatory kit. The dog may be a plush toy.

Local tip: the 2026 season is poor in quantity because of the summer drought. The aroma, however, is excellent. First-class white truffles have reached €5,000 per kilogram. Buy smaller pieces and ask for proof of origin.

Sea Bream and Squid Days, Ližnjan – 6 to 8 November

Kuje Bay near Ližnjan celebrates the sea for three days. Admission to all events is free. Friday brings the opening with a pub quiz and concerts by Luzeri and S.A.R.S. Saturday features the Marlera Cup spearfishing competition and a concert by Luka Basi. Sunday is reserved for the “Kalamarijada”, a squid-cooking competition. New this year is a squid-risotto cooking contest.

DOVAI – Agritourism Open Days – every weekend in November

The Istrian Agritourism Open Days run on 7–8, 14–15, 21–22 and 28–29 November. Eight agritourisms take part, from Nedešćina to Vodnjan and Grožnjan. The promotional menu from aperitif to dessert costs €30. Booking directly with the agritourism is mandatory. Children can join the treasure hunt “Grandma Marija’s Lost Recipe”.

Other food evenings in November

• Malvazija and White Truffle Evening, Stancija Stare staze, Kršan – 6 November from 7 pm. Baćac and Juričić wines with truffles, booking required.
• Cabernet Sauvignon & Blue Fish, Poreč area – Fridays from 6 November to 4 December. The five-course dinner costs €55 per person. The 20 November date at Al Penon (Tar-Vabriga) still has seats. Most other dates are sold out.
• Eastern Istria Olive Oil Show, Pićan – 28 November from noon. Cooking contest for “šugo od kokoše” (chicken sugo), oil and wine tastings, free admission.
• Pancake Festival, Vodnjan – 28 and 29 November, free admission.

St. Martin’s Day 2026 in Istria: where young wine is christened

St. Martin is celebrated on 11 November, but the festivities last all week.

Feast of St. Martin, Vrsar – 7 to 11 November

Vrsar celebrates its patron saint with a rich programme. The main day is Saturday 7 November on Trg Degrassi. Registration for the “Martinje” family run opens at 9 am. The children’s race starts at 10:45, the 5 km race at 11:30. The family bike ride and Nordic walking also start at 11 am. All three activities are free and participants get lunch. From noon to 8 pm Mendule, La Contrada, Anelidi and Duo Gravity perform. The free Casanova Tour is at 2:30 pm, the Istrian soup contest at 4 pm. Sunday brings a table tennis tournament, 11 November a mass and ceremonial session.

St. Martin’s Day in Momjan – 11, 14 and 15 November

Momjan is the heart of Istria’s St. Martin’s Day and home of Momjan Muscat. The official programme was published by the Town of Buje. The young wine is blessed on Wednesday 11 November at 5 pm. On Saturday 14 November the programme runs all day. It includes a Momjan fritura contest and a walk along the Muscat trails. There is also a bucolaj workshop. Momjan wine tasting runs from 2 pm to 7 pm in the gastro tent. The evening brings Grooverse, Ivan Licul & Band and DJ Minić. On Sunday 15 November the MTB ride starts at 11 am. Brass music, Tomos vintage mopeds and children’s entertainment with a magician follow.Momjan is the heart of Istria’s St. Martin’s Day and home of Momjan Muscat.

St. Martin’s Day in Pula – 12 to 14 November

Pula’s Giardini turn into a wine street from 6 pm to midnight. Ten wineries from southern Istria present their wines, including Benazić, Dobran and Medea. Fritule and DJ music complete the picture.

Other St. Martin’s events

• Kozlović Winery, Vale near Momjan – 14 November from 3 pm to 7 pm. Infinity Band plays, admission is free.
• St. Martin’s Day in Višnjan – 14 November in Baškoti. The programme starts at 6 pm, followed by a Jelena Rozga concert in the evening. Tickets are on Entrio.
• St. Martin’s Bike Ride, Vrsar – 7 November at 11 am (see above).

Young Olive Oil Days, Vodnjan – 20 to 22 November

The 20th edition of the Young Olive Oil Days gathers 75 to 80 oil producers. The 1,750 m² tent expects more than 5,000 visitors. Young oils from the 2026 harvest are tasted, with masterclasses and lectures. New is the Vodnjan Mediterranean Forum with four panels over three days. Topics are regional development, olives in cosmetics and the future of fine dining. Flos Olei 2027 has just named Istria the world’s best olive oil region. It is the tenth such title.

St. Maurus – Poreč Town Day – 21 November

Poreč celebrates its patron St. Maurus on Saturday 21 November. The solemn mass is held in the Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A procession with the relics through the old town follows. The squares host music and presentations of local customs. The Town of Poreč will publish the detailed programme later. The same day is Theatre Night across Croatia.

Culture in November: festivals, theatre and concerts

Events in Istria in November are not only about food. Here is the cultural programme by town.

• Days of Slavonia in Rovinj – 1 to 8 November, waterfront, 8 am–6 pm. Honey, cheese, brandies and cured meats from Slavonia and Baranja.
• Istrian Mushroom Exhibition, Pazin – 3 November at the town market, 8 am–3 pm. Free mushroom stew at 11:30.
• Herbststadl, Poreč – 5 to 8 November at Žatika hall. Schlager festival with Nik P., Nockis and Stefan Mross. A favourite with Austrian and German guests.
• Šavrinke Festival, Račja Vas (Ćićarija) – 6 November. Workshops and guided tours, free admission.
• Porečdox – 7 to 14 November at POU Poreč. Documentary film festival, most screenings are free.
• Klapa festival “Puna mi Pula” – 7 November, 7:30 pm, Dom hrvatskih branitelja. Free admission.
• 30 years of the Mendule choir, Vrsar – 14 November, 7 pm, Saline hall. Free admission.
• Zvjezdan Ružić, Pazin – 14 November at 8 pm, Spomen dom.
• Theatre Night – 21 November. Umag stages the drama “Peti korak” already on 20 November. The children’s musical “Zalutali u bajci” plays on 21 November at 11 am. Pula performs “Ljudski glas” at the INK theatre.
• Music lesson “The Story of Tango”, Rovinj – 25 November, 6 pm, MMC. Free admission.
• Sa(n)jam knjige u Istri book fair, Pula – 27 November to 6 December. The 32nd edition takes place at Dom hrvatskih branitelja. The fair is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. The motto is “La vita è bella” and the children’s programme is “Hop lektira”.
• Thursdays at the Museum, Pazin – every Thursday at 6 pm until 3 December. Free admission.

Fairs and professional events

• Pazin Fair – Tuesday 3 November from 7 am, the traditional monthly market.
• Days of Croatian Tourism, Poreč – 19 and 20 November at Pical Resort. The biggest gathering of Croatian tourism with 1,200 participants and the annual awards.
• Crofish, Poreč – 27 to 29 November at Žatika. Croatia’s only fisheries and sport-fishing fair.
• Design District Croatia, Rovinj – 27 to 29 November, former Tobacco Factory, 10 am–6 pm. Furniture and equipment for apartments and hotels. Useful for property owners.
• Istria Wedding Open Days – 28 and 29 November. Open wedding venues across Istria and a suppliers’ fair at Pical.

Sport in November: races, bike rides and big tournaments

November’s sports calendar is packed, so we gave it a separate blog. Here are the key dates.

1. Istrian Winter Running League – 8 Nov Medulin, 22 Nov Sv. Petar u Šumi, 29 Nov Pazin. Register at trickeri.org.
2. European U-23 Boxing Championships, Poreč – 14 to 25 November, Intersport hall.
3. Croatia – Spain, women’s EuroBasket qualifier – 17 November, Žatika Poreč.
4. Arena Cup, Pula – 13 and 14 November, the season’s final cruiser regatta.
5. Koza Trail, Bičići – 14 November.
6. Vrbanovica Trail, Kaštelir – 28 November, with the Istrian Open Trail Championship.
7. Novigrad Cittanova Run – 29 November, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km.

Advent 2026 in Istria: opening dates by town

Events in Istria in November turn into Advent programmes at the end of the month. These are the officially published dates so far.

Advent in Pula moves this year to a new zone. It stretches from the Arena to Titov park. The concert programme and ice-rink prices will be published later.

Velox Tours tips for November 2026 in Istria

• Accommodation: many hotels close in mid-November. Private apartments and agritourisms stay open all year. Velox Tours offers verified apartments in Poreč and the surroundings.
• Transport: events in Istria in November are often inland, far from the coast. Arrange a transfer or a private excursion with a driver. That way you can taste the wine freely.
• Bookings: food evenings and agritourisms require advance notice. The “Cabernet & Blue Fish” dinners are mostly sold out already.
• Weather: November brings rain on about ten days on average. Outdoor festivities are cancelled in heavy rain, so check the organisers’ updates.
• Truffle hunting: instead of the fair crowds, book a private hunt with a truffle hunter. Velox organises excursions with transfer from Poreč.

November 2026 events calendar at a glance

• 1–8 Nov Days of Slavonia in Rovinj
• 1 Nov Last day of the Zigante Truffle Days, Livade
• 3 Nov Pazin Fair and Istrian Mushroom Exhibition
• 5–8 Nov Herbststadl, Poreč
• 6 Nov Šavrinke Festival; Malvazija and Truffle Evening, Kršan
• 6–8 Nov Sea Bream and Squid Days, Ližnjan
• 7 Nov Feast of St. Martin, Vrsar; Truffle Hunt, Buzet; “Puna mi Pula”
• 7–8 Nov Istrian Truffle Festival, Buzet; DOVAI, 1st weekend
• 7–14 Nov Porečdox, Poreč
• 8 Nov Winter League, Medulin
• 11 Nov St. Martin’s Day – wine blessing in Momjan; mass in Vrsar
• 12–14 Nov St. Martin’s Day in Pula
• 14 Nov St. Martin’s at Kozlović; Jelena Rozga, Višnjan; Arena Cup; Koza Trail
• 14–15 Nov St. Martin’s Day in Momjan; DOVAI, 2nd weekend
• 14–25 Nov European U-23 Boxing Championships, Poreč
• 17 Nov Croatia – Spain, Žatika
• 19–20 Nov Days of Croatian Tourism, Poreč
• 20–22 Nov Young Olive Oil Days, Vodnjan
• 21 Nov St. Maurus, Poreč; Theatre Night
• 21–22 Nov DOVAI, 3rd weekend
• 22 Nov Winter League, Sv. Petar u Šumi
• 25 Nov “The Story of Tango”, Rovinj
• 27–29 Nov Crofish, Poreč; Design District, Rovinj
• 27 Nov–6 Dec Sa(n)jam knjige u Istri book fair, Pula
• 28 Nov Vrbanovica Trail, Kaštelir; Olive Oil Show, Pićan
• 28–29 Nov Pancake Festival, Vodnjan; Istria Wedding Open Days; DOVAI, 4th weekend
• 29 Nov Advent opening in Pula; Novigrad Cittanova Run; Winter League, Pazin

Events in Istria in November 2026 prove that the season does not end in September. Need accommodation, a transfer or a private excursion? Contact Velox Tours and we will gladly put together your Istrian November.

Published: 05.11.2026.