EXIT Festival

EXIT Festival is one of the largest and most celebrated music festivals in Europe, held each July at Petrovaradin Fortress on the banks of the Danube in Novi Sad, Serbia. The festival began in 2000 as a student-organised movement campaigning for democracy and freedom, and has grown into a four-day event drawing more than 200,000 visitors from across Europe and beyond. The fortress itself - a 17th-century Habsburg fortification with 16km of underground tunnels - forms one of the most dramatic natural stages on the European festival circuit.

Programme and stages

EXIT operates multiple stages across the fortress grounds, ranging from the main stage at the open-air amphitheatre to intimate club-format spaces in the fortress tunnels and basements. The Dance Arena, set beneath the fortress walls, is one of the most well-known outdoor techno stages in Europe, running through the night until dawn. The lineup spans electronic music in its many subgenres - techno, house, drum and bass - alongside hip-hop, alternative rock, and regional pop. Headline acts have included global names across these genres, with the lineup announced progressively from late winter through spring.

Practical information

Tickets are sold through the official EXIT website in tiered pricing waves, with the cheapest early-bird passes typically going on sale the autumn before the festival. Weekend passes and single-day tickets are both usually available. Accommodation in Novi Sad books out well in advance across the festival dates - search hotels in Novi Sad early, or consider staying in Belgrade and taking a day trip. The two cities are 80 kilometres apart, connected by frequent express bus services (approximately 1 hour) and regular trains.

Novi Sad has a bus station served by direct coaches from Belgrade, Zagreb, Budapest, and other regional cities. The nearest airport is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, approximately 1.5 hours by bus from Novi Sad. Shuttle services from the airport to Novi Sad operate during the festival period - check the official EXIT website for confirmed shuttle details each year.

The festival site at Petrovaradin Fortress is accessible on foot from the city centre via a bridge across the Danube, or by shuttle buses running from the central bus station. Exact 2027 dates are yet to be confirmed - check the official website for the announcement. Explore tours and experiences in Novi Sad to plan activities around the festival.

Tips for festival attendees

July in Novi Sad is consistently warm and dry, with daytime temperatures typically above 30°C. The Dance Arena and tunnel stages provide some cover, but the main outdoor stages offer little shade during the day. Bring sunscreen and arrive hydrated for afternoon sessions.

Camping is not offered within the festival grounds themselves, making the accommodation situation in Novi Sad straightforward but competitive. The city has a good range of hostels and hotels, and local residents frequently rent out rooms during the festival - platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb both list options. Book several months in advance. The fortress and old town of Petrovaradin are worth exploring outside festival hours; the Danube riverbanks are pleasant for the downtime between sets.

Currency is Serbian dinars - card payments are accepted at the festival but cash is useful for smaller purchases in the city. Bring a bank card that works internationally to access ATMs in Novi Sad.