New Year’s Eve Spectacular in Zadar

The craziest New Year’s Eve party at Zadar’s market will kick off at 9 PM under laser lights, driven by hypnotic electro beats from the city’s leading electronic collectives. At the same time, celebrations at Petar Zoranić Square will begin at 9 PM with familiar local favorites and musical virtuosos, the Rockatansky Band. From 11 PM onwards, the audience will be treated to faithful live renditions of legendary artists such as Queen, Kiss, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, Europe, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and other rock icons of the 1980s and 1990s.

These authentic vocal, costume, and stage interpretations are part of The Rockstar Show, an Italian supergroup and live event featuring musicians inspired by the greatest names in world rock. Touring across Italy and Europe, Zadar has been chosen as their New Year’s destination.

“This type of music show is extremely popular in Italy, where the performers are true stars. The Rockstar Show is a multi-tribute act with three singers who wear elaborate costumes, creating a complete and authentic experience of the artists they portray,” explains Dragan Balaban, manager of The Rockstar Show. In addition to the evening program, the New Year’s Day daytime schedule will also feature Art Pop – a Tribute to Lady Gaga – performing on the Advent stage from 11 AM. There is hardly a better invitation to celebrate together.

“A female performer embodies Lady Gaga in authentic costumes. The effect is truly impressive, just like attending a real Lady Gaga concert,” Balaban adds. Anyone who watches the many recordings of Tribute to Lady Gaga or The Rockstar Show on YouTube can see that audiences are consistently delighted.

“This is truly a spectacle that leaves no one indifferent. Fans of 1980s and 1990s pop-rock music will be absolutely thrilled,” Balaban concludes. The Italian tribute group will lead Zadar residents and visitors into the New Year 2026. The day before, on December 30, the Advent stage will also host Italian singers performing Italian pop hits from 9 PM, under the event title Sarà perché ti amo.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Zadar’s peninsula, at the city market, the Christmas Turntable will host the pulsating “Zadar SLR Showcase”. The New Year’s Eve program is organized by united local electronic collectives Selected, Loveroom, and Ritmika residents. The music starts at 9 PM, with no fixed closing time.

“We don’t have a strict plan. We know when we start, and we’ll see when it ends,” says Roko Rančić, who, together with Luigi Kotlar, forms Selected, the collective that brought an open-air electronic music festival to Zadar’s Đil this summer.

“The lineup hasn’t been fully defined yet, but everyone who comes can expect top-level entertainment. Loveroom and Ritmika are strong brands, so there’s no reason to worry. There will certainly be a large crowd, and this is something Zadar hasn’t experienced before,” adds the Zadar DJ.

Energy, production quality, atmosphere, urban spirit, and modernity best describe the historic city market space beneath the ramparts during this year’s Advent in Zadar. As 2025 draws to a close and 2026 begins, the area will resonate with the sound and spirit of electro beats.

“I’m especially happy to be performing for my fellow Zadar residents right in the city center,” says Kristijan Kotlar, founder of Ritmika, a Zadar-based music concept that brings together an audience that is neither trap, techno, trash, underground, nor strictly mainstream. Ritmika residents, summed up in two words.

“This means the DJs performing are the core Ritmika lineup. I’m unavoidable, of course, along with Kruno Matošević, also known as Mr. Cab Driver. We may be old hands, but we’re young at heart,” the DJ says with a smile.

Interest in this unique New Year’s Eve event is high, and table reservations are filling up fast. Zadar’s market, it’s safe to say, will be packed to the brim.

“We’re creating an event that Zadar has never seen or experienced before,” Kotlar adds. With Ritmika, Zadar has gained a spirit of cultural resistance and a home for all those with vinyl in their veins, while the younger Loveroom collective promotes house music through distinctive vocals and remixes by regional producers. The New Year’s Eve celebrations at both locations are organized by the City of Zadar and the Zadar Tourist Board, with free admission for all.