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EXIT Festival expands abroad following Serbia exit
May1
EXIT Festival is continuing its international expansion with two major events in Montenegro in summer 2026, as the organisation accelerates its World Tour strategy following its departure from Serbia, where the festival was founded.
The move comes after what EXIT describes as sustained government pressure in Serbia, linked to the festival’s public support for student-led protests and broader calls for freedom and justice. The situation ultimately led the organisation to relocate its core activities abroad, marking a significant shift for one of Europe’s most established festival brands.
Founded in 2000 in Novi Sad, EXIT Festival grew out of a student movement advocating for democratic change. Over the past two decades, it has developed into a major international event, attracting global audiences and hosting artists such as The Prodigy, David Guetta and Skrillex. The festival has received multiple accolades, including Best Major Festival titles and Promoter of the Year at the European Festival Awards.
EXIT states that its operations in Serbia generated more than €300 million in tourism revenue over the years, underlining its economic and cultural impact in the region prior to its exit.
As part of its repositioning, the festival has launched a global event series, staging projects across multiple territories. Montenegro is among the latest additions, with the “EXIT to Montenegro” initiative aimed at combining large-scale music events with destination-driven tourism.
Dusan Kovacevic, CEO and founder of EXIT Festival, said: “Montenegro is one of Europe`s best-kept secrets. With its stunning nature and vibrant Adriatic coastline, it has everything it takes to become a landmark destination for a new generation of travelers who live for combining world-class holidays with unforgettable live music experiences. EXIT was built on the belief that music and freedom go hand in hand, and we are delighted to bring this spirit to this beautiful country, building a lasting legacy together.”
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajic added: “The EXIT to Montenegro project will bring two major festivals to our country, making Montenegro an epicentre of the global music scene this summer and delivering exceptional international promotion for our coastline. The festivals will welcome visitors from more than 100 countries, generating at least 210,000 overnight stays and over €40 million in tourism revenue in 2026.”
The first Montenegro event is scheduled for early July on Long Beach in Ulcinj, aligning with EXIT’s traditional festival weekend. A second event will see the return of Sea Dance Festival in Budva, which is planned to be free to attend, representing a shift in accessibility strategy for a large-scale international festival.
The Montenegro rollout forms part of a broader international footprint that includes Sea Star Festival in Croatia and Spiral Festival in Malta, as EXIT continues to transition from a Serbia-based flagship event into a globally distributed festival brand.
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