Sonus Croatia 2025

Experiencing a festival for the first time is always a little magical. Filled with mystery and anticipation, you’re about to discover an event with its stages, booming sound systems, and artists from all over the world, with the potential to surprise you for better or worse. That doesn’t mean the magic fades once you’ve been before, far from it. There are festivals we’d happily revisit year after year. But trying something new always carries its own kind of excitement, doesn’t it?

With that mix of curiosity and thrill, we flew into Split, where a driver picked us up for the two-hour ride to Novalja, Sonus Croatia’s home base. After checking in at the hotel and quickly scanning the night’s timetable, we headed straight to the festival. The first thing that struck us, despite friends who had been before warning us and despite it being one of the festival’s biggest selling points, was that Sonus actually takes place on the beach. Unlike other so-called “beach festivals” where the sea is little more than a backdrop, here the Adriatic is right at your feet, you can smell the salt in the air, feel the sand, and even walk barefoot between sets.

As Indira Paganotto and other artists have said about playing here, the setup is “by the beach, with a bunch of different stages and clubs... so fun.” But it’s only when you see it with your own eyes that you understand why this location is so special and unlike any other summer festival in Europe. Here, the beach isn’t an accessory; it’s the foundation. The location itself shapes the entire concept and moodboard around which everything else is built.

This is something we’re not so used to in the festival world. Many of us have attended events staged in the middle of nowhere, in remote fields with little appeal of their own, where a temporary city is created for a few days. The music might be great and the atmosphere fun, but the location itself has no soul. Sonus feels different. This is a place worth visiting even without a festival, and when you add world-class DJs and a well-organized setup, it becomes something even greater.

This year, we explored Sonus’ four stages: Noa, Kalypso, Papaya, and Aquarius, each with its own personality, size, and style. While all four hosted heavyweights of today’s electronic scene alongside exciting new names, if we had to choose one, it would be Kalypso. Its wooden structures integrated into the beach, the greenery-inspired design and the hidden corners that let you watch sets from different perspectives completely won us over. We’re used to eye-catching stage designs from top creatives, but here it’s not just about the look, it’s about the atmosphere. Sonus has clearly put thought into this, and it makes a huge difference to the overall experience.

We also can’t overlook Sonus’ global reach. Celebrating its 12th edition, this year’s festival welcomed attendees from 80 countries, and you could hear it in the mix of accents on the dancefloor. The international presence was impossible to miss, with especially large numbers of Italians, who we not only saw at the festival but also around Novalja, dining at beachside restaurants and strolling along the shore at sunset.

Despite a few changes and cancellations due to health issues, including Vintage Culture’s set, the timetable and lineup stayed almost entirely intact. That’s impressive for an event that hosted more than 70 artists in August, a month when DJs are booked back-to-back around the world, often running into flight delays and last-minute chaos.

After the opening party at Aquarius on Saturday the 16th with Elena Mikac and Franky Rizardo, Sunday the 17th brought memorable sets from WhoMadeWho, Mau P and Loco Dice. That same day also featured Chris Liebing, Klangkuenstler and Sven Väth. On Monday the 18th, Lilly Palmer and Deborah de Luca closed out the Noa Stage, while Gordo and Adriatique lit up Kalypso. Over at Papaya, highlights included FJAAK, Richie Hawtin, Anetha and Patrick Mason. With a lineup like that, you can imagine how unforgettable Sonus felt, and this was just the beginning.

Tuesday was one of our favorite days. The schedule struck a perfect balance, starting with Partiboi69 and DJ Heartstring at Papaya and Josh Baker at Aquarius, before moving into the night with Alex Wann and Funk Tribu B2B Bad Boombox, whose energy was absolutely electric. Later, we caught Bedouin, just before Adam Beyer closed the night at Noa with a set for the ages. We missed Miss Monique and Artbat at Papaya due to overlaps, but friends told us both sets were standout moments.

On Wednesday the 20th, the spotlight fell on Indira Paganotto, Syreeta and Reinier Zonneveld, among many others. We especially loved Nico Moreno’s set at Aquarius, which had the whole crowd jumping non-stop. Sadly, we couldn’t stay for the legendary Ricardo Villalobos, as our flight left earlier that day, but we know he delivered yet another unforgettable performance.

From the boat parties and holiday vibes to the carefully curated stages and stacked lineup, one thing is clear: Sonus has something special that sets it apart. It may not be the biggest or the most crowded, but it doesn’t need to be. The way it blends seamlessly into its environment, the short walks between stages, and the warm and international crowd all come together to create a unique experience.

And as we mentioned earlier, Sonus Croatia has already announced the 2026 edition. It will take place from August 16 to 20, with tickets first available to subscribers. You can sign up now for early access and a chance to win prizes.