32nd Drina Regatta in Bajina Bašta: Europe’s Largest Carnival on the Water Begins
The seven-day festival brings together tens of thousands of visitors with concerts, family events, local gastronomy, and the iconic 25-kilometer flotilla down the emerald-green Drina River.
Starting today, Bajina Bašta becomes the center of Serbia’s summer festivities. The picturesque town on the right bank of the Drina River is hosting the 32nd Drina Regatta, one of the largest tourism events in the region, which will welcome tens of thousands of visitors from Serbia and abroad through July 19.
In addition to the festival’s main attraction—the traditional mass descent down the Drina River from Perućac to Rogačica, scheduled for Saturday—visitors can enjoy seven days of entertainment, including concerts by popular performers, a fish soup cooking competition, the MASHUP electronic music festival, children’s activities, a local products fair, and numerous events for the whole family.
More Than Three Decades of Floating Down the Emerald Drina
Today, the Drina Regatta is one of Serbia’s largest tourism and recreational events and the biggest river gathering in Europe. The first regatta was organized in the early 1990s by a small group of enthusiasts who wanted to revive the tradition of the famous Drina log rafters, who once transported timber from Mount Tara downstream along the river.
Over the years, the event has grown into an international festival that attracts tens of thousands of participants and more than 100,000 visitors every July.
The heart of the festival is the traditional 25-kilometer river descent from the Perućac Dam to the village of Rogačica. The route passes through one of the most scenic stretches of the Drina River, winding beneath the slopes of Mount Tara and showcasing the spectacular landscapes for which western Serbia is renowned.
The journey lasts around four hours and welcomes everyone—from experienced rafters and rafting clubs to families and tourists from Serbia, neighboring countries, and across Europe.
Almost every type of watercraft can be seen on the river, including inflatable boats, traditional wooden rafts, kayaks, canoes, catamarans, and even creatively decorated homemade floating platforms. Brass bands perform while drifting downstream, setting the rhythm for the enormous flotilla, while many participants bring their own music, creating a lively mix of trumpets, tamburitza ensembles, and DJs along the entire route.
This unique atmosphere has earned the Drina Regatta its well-deserved reputation as Serbia’s largest carnival on the water.
Experiencing the Beauty of Western Serbia
The festival has long outgrown its origins as a one-day river event. Today it spans seven days, featuring concerts by popular artists, food festivals, children’s programs, sporting competitions, the MASHUP electronic music festival, the “Bašta Bazaar” showcasing local products, and a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.
For many guests, the Drina Regatta is also an opportunity to discover the natural treasures of western Serbia. Nearby attractions include Tara National Park, Perućac Lake, the famous House on the Drina, the Vrelo River—one of the shortest rivers in Europe—and numerous scenic viewpoints overlooking the spectacular Drina Canyon.
As a result, most visitors stay in Bajina Bašta for several days, using the regatta as the perfect excuse to explore one of Serbia’s most beautiful regions.
The Drina Regatta is not a race or a sporting competition. Its essence lies in friendship, spending time in nature, and enjoying one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers together. That is precisely why it attracts thousands of visitors every year, including many international tourists who return to Bajina Bašta summer after summer.
Drina Regatta 2026 Program
Alongside today’s official opening ceremony, the newly built pedestrian zone in the town center will host the “Bašta Bazaar,” a fair featuring local food, handmade crafts, and traditional products. The youngest visitors will also enjoy the Regatta Children’s Carnival.
Tuesday, July 14
Visitors will enjoy a performance by the Zdravko Čolić Tribute Band, fronted by Emil Fetahović.
Wednesday, July 15
The third day of the festival brings a special treat for adrenaline enthusiasts, with a Formula 1 simulator competition taking place on the town promenade. Later that evening, the MASHUP Electronic Music Festival begins at the “Braća Milutinović” Sports and Recreation Center, featuring performances by well-known DJs.
Thursday, July 16
The traditional fish soup cooking competition will be held on the banks of the Vrelo River in Perućac. Children’s entertainment continues throughout the day, while the MASHUP Festival enters its second evening.
Friday, July 17
The evening concert on the town square will feature Željko Vasić and the band Zana.
Saturday, July 18
The festival reaches its highlight with the traditional 25-kilometer Drina River descent from Perućac to Rogačica.
Participant and boat registration will take place until 10:30 a.m. in Perućac, below the Bajina Bašta Hydroelectric Power Plant, while the official start of the regatta is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
After several hours of floating down the river accompanied by music, entertainment, and socializing, participants are expected to arrive in Rogačica during the afternoon.
The celebration continues in the evening with a concert on the town square by Peđa Medenica.
Sunday, July 19
The final day of the festival is reserved for the closing program and farewell to participants.
Festival organizers encourage all participants to follow safety guidelines on the water, wear life jackets, and comply with instructions from safety personnel to ensure the event runs smoothly. The full schedule and any program updates are available on the official Drina Regatta website.
