Lighthouse Festival – Croatia 2026

Background & History

• Origins and Founding: Launched in 2013 by a Viennese collective inspired by the Pratersauna club, Lighthouse Festival began as a getaway for electronic music enthusiasts. It has evolved into a globally recognized boutique festival, organized by LIGHTHOUSE, a Vienna-based think tank with ties to Munich, focusing on digital creativity in sound and audiovisual art.
• Cultural Significance: Held on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, the festival celebrates underground electronic music, blending it with the region’s stunning Adriatic coastline. It fosters a community of like-minded creatives, emphasizing artistic diversity and innovation.
• Historical Growth: From a small gathering, it now attracts 3,500–6,000 attendees daily, with past lineups featuring artists like DJ Tennis, Jeff Mills, and KiNK. The festival has expanded to include editions in Cape Town, maintaining its boutique ethos.
• Visual Identity: Collaborates with Lichterloh, a Vienna-based artist studio at Parkring 20, which has shaped its visual aesthetic for over a decade through stage sets, live visuals, and interactive installations, blending art and technology.
• Global Reach: Recognized as a leading boutique electronic festival, it draws attendees from Europe, Africa, and beyond, creating a vibrant cultural exchange against the backdrop of Croatia’s natural beauty.
• Community Impact: Promotes sustainability through ride-sharing initiatives and local partnerships, enhancing Poreč’s reputation as a cultural and tourism hub.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances:
  • Live Performances and DJ Sets: Features 50+ underground electronic artists across genres like techno, house, and experimental, performed on multiple stages, including beachfront and club settings. Past acts included DJ Tennis and KiNK; 2026 lineup TBD.
  • Nighttime Club Raves: Intimate club venues within the festival’s hotel-apartment peninsula host late-night raves, offering a high-energy contrast to daytime beach sets.
  • Visual Art Installations: Lichterloh’s media art, live visuals, and interactive displays enhance the musical experience, creating immersive environments.
  • Cultural Workshops: Talks and workshops on electronic music production and digital art, fostering collaboration among artists and attendees.
• Special Traditions or Features:
  • Beachfront Dancing: Performances directly on the Adriatic coast, allowing attendees to dance with sea views and sunsets, a hallmark of the festival’s “Electronic Music on Vacation” motto.
  • Ride-Sharing Groups: Annual Facebook groups facilitate eco-friendly travel, connecting attendees for carpooling from Austria and beyond, with reminders for Croatia’s spare light bulb rule and Austria’s high-vis vest requirement.
  • Boutique Festival Vibe: Limited to 3,500–6,000 attendees, ensuring an intimate, community-driven experience unlike larger festivals.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors:
  • Hotel-Apartment Peninsula: Attendees stay in on-site hotels, apartments, or villas, integrating accommodation with the festival for a seamless experience.
  • Adria Exploration: Opportunities to explore Poreč’s historic Euphrasian Basilica (UNESCO site) and nearby beaches during daytime breaks.
  • Art and Music Fusion: Lichterloh’s stage designs and projections create a multisensory experience, blending music with cutting-edge visuals.
  • Local Cultural Integration: Partnerships with Istrian artists and vendors showcase Croatian music and crafts, enhancing the festival’s regional flavor.

Date & Duration

• Dates: June 3–7, 2026 (based on festivalsunited.com; check lighthouse.plus for confirmation due to conflicting TBD May 2026 prediction).
• Duration: 5 days, with daytime beach sets, evening concerts, and late-night raves.
• Schedule Notes: Music starts daily at noon, with main performances from 6 PM to midnight and afterparties until 4 AM. Workshops and talks occur mid-afternoon.

Venue / Location

• City: Poreč, Istria, Croatia (noted as the primary venue, resolving conflict with Tar’s Laterna from musicfestivalwizard.com).
• Main Venue: Laterna Resort, a hotel-apartment peninsula in Poreč, featuring multiple stages, beachfront areas, and club venues, with a capacity of 3,500–6,000.
• Notable Areas:
  • Main Stage: Beachfront setup with Adriatic views, hosting headline DJs and live acts.
  • Club Venues: Intimate indoor spaces within the resort for late-night raves, designed with Lichterloh’s immersive visuals.
  • Relaxation Zones: Shaded areas and beach lounges for daytime chilling, with food stalls and bars.
  • Workshop Spaces: Dedicated areas for music production and art talks, equipped with professional audio-visual setups.
• Google Maps Address: Laterna Resort, Poreč, Croatia (approximate: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Z3bX9kJ5Y6zZ8vK7; exact coordinates TBD on lighthouse.plus).
• Accessibility: The resort is wheelchair-accessible, with ramps and designated areas; contact reservation@lighthouse.plus for specific accommodations.
• Administrative Office: Parkring 20, Vienna, Austria (LIGHTHOUSE headquarters for planning and inquiries).

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold:
  • Online via lighthouse.plus or partner platforms like Festicket, with secure payment options.
  • Limited on-site sales at Laterna Resort, subject to availability.
  • Package deals including accommodation and festival access available through reservation@lighthouse.plus.
  • Early-bird tickets typically released in November 2025, with priority for newsletter subscribers.
• Admission Type: Paid admission; no free entry for main events, though some beach activities may be open to non-ticket holders.
• Ticket Pricing (USD):
  • Minimum Pricing: $185 USD for 5-day festival tickets (based on 2025’s €169, adjusted for 2026 exchange rates; exact prices TBD).
  • Maximum Pricing: $550 USD for premium packages including accommodation and VIP perks (estimated based on historical trends).
• Special Seating or VIP Options:
  • VIP tickets ($300–$400 USD, estimated) offer priority stage access, exclusive lounges, and fast-track entry.
  • Accommodation packages ($250–$550 USD) include festival tickets with hotel or apartment stays at Laterna Resort.
  • Group discounts for 5+ attendees available via reservation@lighthouse.plus.

Contact Information

• Email:
  • reservation@lighthouse.plus (ticketing and accommodation inquiries).
  • info@lighthouse.plus (general inquiries and festival logistics).
  • press@lighthouse.plus (media and press requests).
• Phone: +43 1 37070004 (English and German support, 9 AM–5 PM weekdays, Vienna office).
• Physical Address: LIGHTHOUSE, Parkring 20, 1010 Vienna, Austria (administrative office).
• Website: https://lighthouse.plus (festival details, tickets, lineup updates).
• Social Media:
  • @lighthousefestival (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) for lineup announcements, live streams, and visual art previews.
• Key Staff:
  • Festival Director: Not publicly specified; contact via info@lighthouse.plus.
  • Visual Design: Lichterloh Studio, led by artists at Parkring 20, Vienna.
  • Programming Team: Curators from Vienna and Munich’s electronic music scenes.
• Press/Volunteers:
  • Press: Email press@lighthouse.plus for media passes and artist interviews.
  • Volunteers: Apply via info@lighthouse.plus; roles include ticketing, stage setup, and crowd management (details by March 2026).
• Note: Response time is 24–48 hours. English, German, and Croatian support available.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions:
  • The festival embodies the “Electronic Music on Vacation” ethos, blending high-energy performances with a relaxed, seaside vibe, rooted in its Viennese Pratersauna origins.
  • Community-driven events like ride-sharing and beach cleanups reflect a commitment to sustainability and camaraderie.
  • Collaborations with local Istrian artists integrate Croatian folk influences into electronic sets, creating a unique cultural fusion.
• Music:
  • Expect underground electronic genres, including techno, house, minimal, and experimental, with live performances and DJ sets by 50+ artists from Europe, Africa, and beyond.
  • Past lineups featured innovative acts; 2026 may include rising stars alongside veterans, curated to reflect current trends.
• Costumes:
  • Attendees embrace vibrant, festival-inspired outfits, with neon colors, LED accessories, and beachwear reflecting the coastal setting.
  • Artists often wear avant-garde, tech-inspired attire, complementing Lichterloh’s futuristic stage designs.
• Local Customs:
  • Poreč’s laid-back Istrian culture encourages mingling, with locals and visitors sharing food and drinks at beachside venues.
  • The festival fosters inclusivity, with open dancefloors and communal spaces promoting interaction among diverse attendees.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties:
  • Ćevapi: Grilled minced meat sausages with ajvar, served at festival food trucks or nearby konobas like Konoba Daniela.
  • Istrian Truffle Pasta: Tagliatelle with local black truffles, a regional delicacy at restaurants like Sveti Nikola.
  • Fritule: Croatian doughnuts with powdered sugar, available at stalls or cafés in Poreč.
  • Malvazija Wine: Istrian white wine, served at festival bars or local wineries like Roxanich.
  • Rakija: Croatian fruit brandy, a festival favorite at beach bars.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan Options: Grilled vegetable skewers, vegan burek, and chickpea salads at food trucks or restaurants like Artha Vegan.
  • Seafood Platter: Fresh Adriatic fish and octopus, offered at seaside eateries like Villa Romana.
• Festival Dining:
  • Food trucks at Laterna Resort offer local and international cuisine, including pizza, falafel, and Istrian prosciutto.
  • On-site bars serve cocktails, craft beers, and Croatian wines, with pop-up tastings of regional specialties.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports:
  • Pula Airport (PUY), 50 km from Poreč (45 minutes by shuttle or taxi).
  • Trieste Airport (TRS), 80 km away (1 hour by car or bus).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Regular buses from Pula or Trieste to Poreč Bus Station (5-minute taxi to Laterna Resort); festival shuttles from Poreč center ($5 USD).
  • Train: Limited service to Pazin, then bus to Poreč (1 hour total from Pula).
• Parking:
  • Free parking at Laterna Resort for ticket holders; limited street parking in Poreč ($2 USD per hour).
  • Use Park4Night app for nearby lots.
• Other Options:
  • Taxis from Poreč center to Laterna cost $5–$10 USD; Bolt available in Istria.
  • Ride-sharing groups via Facebook (linked on lighthouse.plus) for eco-friendly travel from Vienna or Zagreb.
  • Bike rentals in Poreč (e.g., Bike Planet) for short trips to the resort.

Accommodation Options

• Laterna Resort Apartments:
  • On-site accommodation at the festival venue, offering apartments and villas with sea views.
  • Rates: $100–$250 USD per night (often bundled with festival tickets).
• Hotel Parentium Plava Laguna**:
  • 5-minute walk from Laterna, with luxury rooms, a spa, and beach access.
  • Rates: $120–$200 USD per night.
• Valamar Pinia Hotel*:
  • Family-friendly hotel near Poreč center, 10 minutes from the festival, with bike rentals.
  • Rates: $80–$150 USD per night.
• Hostel Poreč:
  • Budget hostel in Poreč, 15 minutes by bus, with dorms and private rooms.
  • Rates: $20–$60 USD per night.
• Airbnb Options:
  • Apartments or villas in Poreč or nearby Tar-Vabriga, ideal for groups or budget travelers.
  • Rates: $40–$120 USD per night.
• Booking Tips:
  • Book through lighthouse.plus for festival-accommodation packages, available from November 2025.
  • Reserve 6–12 months in advance due to high demand in June.