Max SteventonSerbia’s EXIT Festival has unveiled plans for a global tour in 2026 after confirming it will not return to its long-term home at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad.
EXIT has been located at Petrovaradin Fortress since its inception in 2000 with the global tour marking a “new chapter” of the festival’s journey, according to EXIT.
The decision follows political pressure from Serbian authorities over the festival’s public support for student protests. This eventually forced the festival into closure and resulted in a complete cut of government funding forcing EXIT to start a public funding campaign in August to replace up to €1.5 million.
EXIT will now take its mix of music and activism to international destinations including Croatia, Egypt, India, and Serbia’s capital, Belgrade.
The announcement was made during EXIT’s annual Amsterdam Dance Event showcase.
The tour begins in Croatia with the Sea Star Festival in Umag, followed by events in Macedonia and Malta during the summer. October will see EXIT stage an event at Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza before moving to Mumbai and Belgrade in November.
In an Instagram post, EXIT said it is only the first half of announcements with more to be revealed “very soon”.
EXIT CEO and founder Dušan Kovačević said, “After 25 years at the Petrovaradin Fortress, EXIT is now spreading its wings to the world. We aim to unite continents through our festivals and carry the spirit of freedom wherever we go.
“For us, music has always been more than entertainment – it’s a powerful force that brings people together and builds bridges between nations and cultures. Our mission is to awaken new generations to believe that a better world is possible, and that it all starts with each one of us.”