Sunburn Expands Globally With Europe Debut, Announces Croatia Sail Week 2026
Becomes the first Indian music platform to enter Europe with a week-long festival residency
Festivals
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Sunburn Festival has announced its expansion into Europe with the launch of Sunburn Europe Croatia Sail Week 2026, marking a significant milestone for India’s live entertainment industry. The week-long, multi-destination festival will take place this July along the Adriatic Sea, in partnership with The Playmaker Group, and will coincide with Croatia’s globally renowned Yacht Week.
The move follows Sunburn’s recently announced entry into Abu Dhabi, positioning 2026 as a pivotal year in its global growth journey. Having built a strong presence across Asia over nearly two decades, the brand is now evolving into a globally relevant festival property, exporting its community-driven experience to international markets.
Set against Croatia’s thriving music tourism landscape, the festival taps into the growing trend of experience-led travel, where audiences seek immersive, culturally rich events. Known for its beach clubs, island circuits, and historic venues, Croatia offers an ideal setting for Sunburn’s debut European format, blending travel, music, and lifestyle into a single experience.
The festival will unfold as a “floating” residency, beginning with yacht boarding in Split and Trogir, followed by a sunset opening at the historic Kamerlengo Fortress. The journey will continue across destinations such as Bol, Stari Grad, Hvar, and Vis, featuring beachside sessions, raft parties at sea, and performances in unique venues like Fort George.
Music will remain central to the experience, with a curated mix of house, techno, and commercial EDM delivered by an international lineup. Without a fixed stage, the festival integrates its surroundings,coastlines, open waters, and heritage sites,into the performance itself, creating a dynamic and immersive format.
The on-water experience will be executed in collaboration with The Bucketlust, known for delivering premium sailing-based festival experiences across Europe.
Speaking on the expansion, Sunburn CEO Karan Singh highlighted the shift in audience behaviour, noting that festival-goers are increasingly seeking deeper, travel-led experiences that combine music, culture, and connection. Kristijan Grzetic, Chief Marketing Officer at The Playmaker Group, added that the partnership reinforces Croatia’s position as a leading destination for music tourism while introducing a globally recognised Indian brand to European audiences.
As Sunburn approaches its 20th anniversary, the Europe debut signals a broader shift in India’s live entertainment landscape,from participation in global culture to actively shaping it.
Registrations for Sunburn Europe Croatia Sail Week 2026 are now open on Sunburn’s official website, with ticket bookings set to go live soon on BookMyShow.