What's on during Expo 2027 - concerts, exhibitions and festivals

Expo 2027 is not just an exhibition - it is a three-month celebration for the whole city. Alongside the main program at the fair, Belgrade offers concerts, exhibitions and festivals throughout the summer, so your free evenings will fill up easily. Whether you love a big stage, a calmer gallery program or good food at a festival, there is a place for you. Here is how to follow what is on, where to find the official program and how to plan your stay so you do not miss what interests you.

Why summer 2027 will be packed with events

Expo 2027 Belgrade is a specialised world exhibition running from 15 May to 15 August 2027. Its theme is "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All", so it makes sense that music and sport will be at the heart of the program. The exhibition site is in Surcin, next to Nikola Tesla Airport, and a new national stadium is being built right beside it. For visitors this means a supporting program alongside the pavilions, while the city keeps its usual summer calendar at the same time. Find the basics about the exhibition, the location and how to organise your visit in our Expo 2027 guide.

Concerts at the Expo stage

The main Expo stage is set to host local and international performers throughout the summer. The atmosphere of big open-air concerts is a special experience, and the lineup will range from popular music to larger festival acts. Checking dates and buying tickets early is the best way not to miss your favourite act - the most wanted concerts sell out first. Performer names and exact dates are published by the organiser in the official program, so follow it regularly and do not rely on unofficial announcements on social media.

Sport as part of the program

Since sport is half of the exhibition theme, it is reasonable to expect sports content to have a visible place in the program. The new national stadium being built next to the site underlines that link, but specific formats, matches and dates are announced by the organisers, so always check official sources. If you are travelling for a particular sports event, book accommodation only once the date is confirmed, or choose an option with flexible cancellation. That way you will not be tied to a date that ends up moving.

National days and programs of participating countries

At world exhibitions it is common for participating countries to hold national days, with performances, exhibitions and cultural programs presenting their music, food and traditions. These days are a great chance to get to know another country's culture in a single afternoon without travelling. The schedule of national days is usually part of the official exhibition calendar, so check it before you fix your travel dates. If you come from a participating country, its national day may be the best day for your visit.

Food festivals

Food is part of every celebration. Food festivals around Expo 2027 bring local producers, kitchens and visitors together in one place - tastings, street food, wines and a relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for families and anyone who wants to try as many flavours as possible at once. At such festivals you can usually taste grilled meats, pies, cheeses, honey, ajvar and wines from different parts of Serbia, which is also a good way to discover what you want to take home.

Exhibitions and culture

For a calmer program, contemporary art exhibitions offer a break and inspiration, away from the crowds of the main pavilions. Belgrade has a lively art scene and galleries worth visiting between two days at the fair. The National Museum on Republic Square and the Museum of Contemporary Art at Usce are good starting points, while smaller galleries are scattered around Dorcol, Kosancicev Venac and the city centre. Museums and galleries are also a pleasant refuge from the summer heat, so plan them for the hottest hours of the day.

The city outdoors in summer

Even without Expo, Belgrade summers are full of outdoor events - concerts on squares and at the fortress, summer cinemas, programs by the rivers and recreation on Ada Ciganlija. Novi Sad and other towns nearby also have their own summer festivals. Exact dates and programs are published every year by the organisers and city tourist organisations, so check them closer to your trip. Combining Expo days with an evening at a city event gives you a fuller picture of summer in Serbia.

Types of events

Where to find the official program

The most reliable source is the official Expo 2027 website and its official social media channels, where the calendar, performers and schedule changes are published. For events in the city, follow the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade and the websites of the venues themselves. The program of a large exhibition is updated while it runs, so check it both before you set off and on the day of the event. In this guide we deliberately do not list dates or performer names - the organisers publish those, and we do not want you to plan around unconfirmed information.

Tickets - how to buy safely

• Buy only through official channels - avoid resellers and ads on social media.
• Check what the ticket covers - whether the event is included in the exhibition ticket or paid separately.
• Save a digital copy and charge your phone before you go out.
• Read the refund terms - for outdoor events it matters what happens in bad weather.

Getting there and back after a concert

The exhibition site is in Surcin, next to the airport, which is convenient for arrivals from abroad but calls for a plan for getting back after evening events. Before you go, check how you will return to your accommodation and whether there are special lines or extended timetables during Expo. After big concerts demand for taxis jumps sharply, so expect to wait or arrange a ride in advance. All the transport options to the site are covered in our article on how to reach the Expo 2027 site.

Planning your stay around events

If your goal is a specific concert or national day, confirm the date first and only then book accommodation. For evening programs at the fair, it is most practical to sleep as close to the exhibition as possible so the trip back is short - see accommodation in Surcin. If you prefer the city and its nightlife, New Belgrade or the centre make a better base, with a somewhat longer trip to the fair. Weekends and days with the biggest events will be in the highest demand, so book early.

How not to miss the best

• Follow the dates - the program is published ahead, plan in time.
• Buy tickets early for big concerts - the most wanted sell out.
• Combine the fair by day and events in the evening for the full experience.
• For festivals, come hungry - the tastings are half the story.
• Keep one evening free for something you discover on the spot.
• Protect yourself from the heat - water, a hat and sunscreen for outdoor events.

Frequently asked questions

Are all events paid? No - many food festivals have free entry, while concerts and some exhibitions require a ticket.

Where do I buy tickets? Through the official Expo 2027 channels and the official sales points of event organisers. Avoid unofficial resellers.

Is a concert at the Expo stage included in the exhibition ticket? That depends on the event - check the terms in the official program before buying.

When is the program published? Organisers publish the program in advance and add to it while the exhibition runs, so follow it regularly.

Which part of the summer is best for a visit? May and June are more pleasant for being outdoors, while July and August are hotter but have long summer evenings. Choose based on the events that interest you most.

The best events sell out early. Follow the dates, secure your spot and match your program with your accommodation - browse apartments for Expo 2027 and find a base close to the events you care about.