Vrbas 'Swallow' Diving Competition
Thrilling spectacle of divers jumping from 12m into Vrbas, large local spectators
Jul 27
Summer on the Vrbas (River Festival & Bridge Diving)
Љето на Врбасу
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jul 13 - 31, 2026Expected
Each summer, the city of Banja Luka celebrates its green river with Ljeto na Vrbasu, a festival of concerts, open-air cinema, and dancing along the water. Its famous high point is a daring diving contest from the City Bridge into the Vrbas below, in a tradition the city has loved since 1953.
Part of a historical world
Yugoslavia & the Post-Yugoslav Wars
The festival was founded in 1953 within socialist Yugoslavia, an era that shaped its initial civic-club organizational form and the 'carnival' naming convention.
Key moments
Day 15 · Jul 27
Open-air Concert at Kastel
Free music concerts for public, big attendance
Where it happens
Обала поред Врбаса
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Open in MapsHow to show up well
Plan the timing
Summer seasonal attire
Read the local rhythm
No special preparations required
Keep the visit respectful
Follow instructions at dive site; keep event areas clean
Practical notes
Crowds & timing
Crowd level: moderate.
Tickets
Free events are available.
Reviewed mediaMAJOR COMMUNITY & FOLK LIFE
Summer on the Vrbas (River Festival & Bridge Diving)
Љето на Врбасу
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Each summer, the city of Banja Luka celebrates its green river with Ljeto na Vrbasu, a festival of concerts, open-air cinema, and dancing along the water. Its famous high point is a daring diving contest from the City Bridge into the Vrbas below, in a tradition the city has loved since 1953.
Documented from 1953Documented continuity
AnchorCultural anchor
Jul 13 - 31, 2026Expected dates
Verified this year
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The story behind it
Each summer, divers step off Banja Luka's City Bridge and arc into the green Vrbas twelve metres below in the vrbaska lasta — a tradition that has opened every edition of this festival since 1953, when Klub akademičara Banja Luka launched the first Karneval na Vrbasu. Dajak boat races and water polo matches in the icy spring river completed the original programme. In the late 1970s the festival became Susreti na Vrbasu ('Meet...
Part of a historical world
Yugoslavia & the Post-Yugoslav Wars
The festival was founded in 1953 within socialist Yugoslavia, an era that shaped its initial civic-club organizational form and the 'carnival' naming convention.
Key moments to know
Day 15Jul 27Approximate
Vrbas 'Swallow' Diving Competition
Thrilling spectacle of divers jumping from 12m into Vrbas, large local spectators
Open-air Concert at Kastel
Free music concerts for public, big attendance
How to show up well
first-timer tips
Plan the timing
Summer seasonal attire
Read the local rhythm
No special preparations required
Keep the visit respectful
Follow instructions at dive site; keep event areas clean
Respect local boundaries
General audience event; respect local environment and park rules at Vrbas
Essentials at a glance
Date window
Jul 13 - 31, 2026
Estimated
City / Area
Banja Luka
Banja Luka
Cost
Free public events available
Good for
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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