Lopar night brings back to life old arts and crafts, authentic tools that were used and the traditional food that was eaten back then. Traces of those roots are still present in everyday life, some of the tools are still in use or are appreciated as a valuable memento from the past.

The highlight of the evening is a majestic procession honouring the departure of St Marinus, the saint whose roots are originating from Lopar, according to local legend.

Visitors can enjoy the traditional dances tanac and pojka danced to the sounds of the traditional wind instrument, mih, several times in the summer during the performances of the Lopar cultural and artistic association “San Marino”.

A daily exhibition of locally manufactured products is the overture to the evening event – a concert of traditional instrument mih (pipes), that used to be the only musical instrument of the past. Mih was played at weddings and at funerals, we danced to its music at carnivals and holidays… Festival of Pipes brings the air of the past times and the lifestyle of our ancestors, their dances, songs and their cheerfulness. This will cheer you up too, we promise!

Daily exhibition of handcrafted products is in the open air, in the beautiful atmosphere of Park Kapic. Free entrance.

The Lopar feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is accompanied by delicious dishes prepared at the local restaurants for the celebration, including the traditional sočivo (bean, chickpea, lentil, and corn soup) as well as spit roast lamb, pork and ox.

There is a traditional five-a-side football tournament, which has the reputation of being one of the strongest tournaments in the country, a boccie tournament…

The feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is also celebrated with a large undercover fiesta where the entertainment usually begins with the performance of the local San Marino folklore group and a group of visiting folklore performers, followed by famous Croatian singers.

During three days of Fjera streets of the old town are filled with the song and music, while tuna, fritule, cheese and wine are offered for tasting to visitors passing by.

(The Masquerades of Lopar) are the pride of the village since their tradition is over 150 years old. Lopar is the only village in the island of Rab that has preserved and nurtured the carnival tradition, with authentic masquerade and rituals.

On the last day of the carnival, Mardi Gras or as we call it Mesopust, the Masquerades of Lopar put on the traditional mask (a specific hat and a face cover) and they cruise the village to chase off the winter singing the old songs. They are invited into the homes of locals and they are offered with traditional food and drinks, to warm up and relax. While treated with homemade wine or brandy and eating traditional homemade food (rooster with homemade macaroni, salted meat with potatoes, homemade “prosciutto” and cheese, doughnut-like pastries called “hrostuli” and “frite” and an assortment of other cakes) in every house, they sing and bring joy to their host.