After 25 years of transforming the historic Petrovaradin Fortress into one of Europe’s most celebrated music destinations, EXIT Festival has announced plans to commence a worldwide tour beginning in 2026. The announcement, made during the Amsterdam Dance Event at the Crane Faralda venue, comes amid mounting pressure from the Serbian government, reportedly stemming from the festival’s support for student protests.
The global tour, described as the “First Chapter” initiative, will feature stops in Egypt at the Great Pyramids of Giza, as well as venues in India, Malta, Croatia, and Macedonia. These diverse locations reflect EXIT Festival’s mission to unite continents and build cultural bridges through music, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to promoting freedom, love, and unity. The festival’s stop in Croatia will specifically feature the Sea Star Festival in Umag, which will host several renowned international artists.
Since its inception, EXIT has evolved into more than just a music festival, becoming a cultural icon that inspires generations to envision a better world. Its No Sleep Festival has developed into one of Europe’s largest rave events in Belgrade, earning the Best New European Festival award along the way. Past performers have included acclaimed artists such as Amelie Lens, Nina Kraviz, and Bicep, establishing EXIT’s reputation for showcasing premier talent. The expanded version of No Sleep Festival in Belgrade will showcase performances from artists like Indira Paganotto and Artbat.
EXIT Festival transcends music, inspiring generations while showcasing premier talent like Amelie Lens, Nina Kraviz, and Bicep.
The decision to expand internationally follows a quarter-century of history at Petrovaradin Fortress, where EXIT has welcomed music enthusiasts from around the globe. The festival organizers view this new chapter as an opportunity to extend their influence and continue their mission of facilitating cultural exchange between nations.
While specific schedules for each tour stop have not yet been fully disclosed, festival representatives promised that additional details about each destination will be revealed in the coming months. The global expansion is expected to create jobs, boost tourism, and support local economies in participating locations.
Despite the change in venue strategy, EXIT’s fundamental values remain unchanged. The festival continues to position itself as a symbol of freedom and unity, using music as a universal language to transcend borders and bring people together across continents, cultures, and backgrounds. Artists performing at the international tour will benefit from proper registration with performance rights organizations to ensure they receive royalties for their music played across multiple countries. For participating musicians, the global tour presents a valuable opportunity to increase their merchandise sales while reaching new international audiences.
