After a massive debut last summer, Verknipt Croatia Festival returns to the Adriatic coast at Zrće Beach on the island Pag—this time with even more energy, a tighter production, and a bold lineup of 50 artists. From June 29th to July 3rd, techno lovers worldwide will gather under the sun and stars for a weekend of pure hard dance, beach vibes, and unforgettable memories.
We caught up with Mer Hajbarati, one of the organisers, to hear what’s in store for round two. Mer Hajbarati is one of the two founders and owners of the Verknipt brand, a visionary who started promoting parties in high school and is now regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global hard techno scene. He is the driving force behind the transformation of the Dutch-born Verknipt into a global powerhouse of events, music releases, and nextlevel experiences from club parties to festival spectacles.
Verknipt Croatia is their first holiday festival, so the debut edition gave them, as organizers, a real insight into what they can offer the audience once they step out of indoor venues and club halls — as well as how much beauty and a full-on experience the Croatian coastline has to offer.
Compared to the first edition of the Verknipt Festival in Croatia last year, what can visitors expect from this year’s festival?
This year’s edition builds on the success of our debut with an even stronger production, improved logistics, and a more immersive festival experience overall. Visitors can expect a tighter flow between stages, enhanced sound and lighting, and a more refined site layout designed to maximise both comfort and energy. We filled in the gaps between the sets with sports activities and entertainment-games programming to keep the momentum going and enrich the overall atmosphere. We’ve taken all the feedback from last year seriously and worked hard to elevate every aspect of the event.
What are the new features or highlights?
One of the key additions this year is a brand-new stage hosted at Papaya Club, ranked among DJ Mag’s Top 100 clubs in the world. This stage will spotlight emerging talent and experimental sounds, adding more depth and variety to the musical experience. We’re also introducing exclusive features through the official festival app, including the full timetable, interactive site map, and a chat function for visitors. We’ve doubled down on boat parties—going from 3 last year to 8 this year—and expanded our merch collection to offer more styles and items than ever before.
Lineup finalised, who would you highlight as a must-see for the audience?
Yes, the lineup is now fully confirmed, featuring 50 artists across three days. Alongside Verknipt regulars and crowd favourites, we’re excited to welcome several high-profile international acts making their Verknipt Croatia debut. Without spoiling too much, we can highlight artists like SHLØMO, Adriån Mills, Novah, 6EJOU, Alignment, Coudy, Fantasm, Winson, Basswell, Negative, and Anxhela as must-see sets, each bringing a unique sound and energy that embodies the Verknipt vibe.
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How are ticket sales going, and where are most visitors expected to come from? Were there any surprising countries from which people bought tickets?
Ticket sales are going exceptionally well—we’re currently on 50% higher attendance compared to last year. While most of our visitors are coming from across Europe, especially the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and the Balkan region, we’ve also seen a surprising and exciting rise in international interest. Fans from countries like Brazil, South Korea, Australia, and South Africa are joining us, which highlights how far the Verknipt brand is expanding globally.
What message do the organisers have for the visitors and those who are still undecided about getting their ticket?
If you’re still in doubt, we can only say: don’t miss out! Verknipt Croatia is more than just a festival, it’s a full-on destination experience combining dancing, beach fun and side programming—entertainment in a way that few events do. With five stacked days of cutting-edge techno and hard dance, a stunning seaside location, and an international crowd full of energy, it’s shaping up to be a holiday to remember.
Are there any incentives or discounts offered for regional audiences attending the festival?
Yes, we’ve introduced special discounted tickets for residents of Croatia and neighbouring countries Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and so on, to make the festival more accessible for the local scene. It’s important for us to stay connected to the regional audience, and this is just one of the ways we’re fostering that connection. More info on those tickets can be found directly via our website or ticketing partner platforms.
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Techno heads, mark your calendars—Verknipt Croatia is back for round two!
