Sea Star Festival — Umag

Sea Star is Istria’s biggest electronic music festival, held at the Stella Maris lagoon in Umag every late May. It’s run by the EXIT Festival team, features major international DJs, and draws around 40,000 people over four days. If you’re into electronic music, this is the Istrian highlight.

2026 Dates

May 28–31, 2026 — the 8th edition.

Thursday and Sunday are welcome/closing days. Friday and Saturday are the main event nights.

The Venue

Stella Maris is a natural lagoon with beaches, pine forests, and a converted ATP tennis stadium (Nautilus Arena) that provides some of the best festival acoustics in Europe. Multiple stages spread across the site, each with its own vibe.

The setting is beautiful — you’re dancing with the Adriatic as your backdrop.

What to Expect

Lineup: Major electronic acts. 2026 already has Boris Brejcha and Xzibit confirmed, with more coming. Past years featured The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Nina Kraviz, and Amelie Lens.

Crowd: International, mostly 20s-30s, here for the music. Good vibes overall.

Schedule: Things start late afternoon and run until early morning. Peak hours are midnight onwards.

Extras: Beach parties, boat parties, pool parties during the day. It’s a full festival experience.

Staying at the House vs. On-Site

Many festivalgoers camp at Stella Maris or stay in Umag hotels. Here’s why staying with us works:

Yes, you’ll need to drive (or arrange transport — no drinking and driving). But after 4 days of festival, you’ll appreciate having a real home to return to.

Drive time: About 65-70 minutes via the Istrian highway (Ipsilon).

Pro tip: If you want to stay out very late, consider booking one or two nights in Umag for peak nights, then retreating to the house for recovery days.

Practical Info

Tickets: Go on sale in autumn/winter for early bird prices. VIP gets you a separate platform with a lounge and bar.

Age limit: 18+. Minors with guardians must leave by midnight.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes, layers (nights cool down), cash for drinks, ear protection if you plan to be near speakers.

Beyond the Festival

Use the festival as an excuse to explore northern Istria:

• Before: Poreč (Roman mosaics), Rovinj (prettiest town), Grožnjan (artists’ village)
• After: Recovery day at Kamenjak beach, 10 minutes from the house

Other Music Festivals in Istria

If Sea Star doesn’t align with your dates:

• Lighthouse Festival (Poreč) — June 3-7, 2026. Similar electronic vibe.
• Dimensions — Techno/house in an intimate setting
• Jazz is Back (Grožnjan) — July, completely different vibe, free entry

See Also

• Pula Arena Concerts — if you prefer big-name artists in an ancient setting
• Rovinj — pretty coastal town, good pre-festival stop
• Cape Kamenjak — recovery beach day