Festivals
EXIT Festival: The Complete Guide
Serbia’s most famous festival: its story, Petrovaradin Fortress, the Dance Arena, and what we know about its return.
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Quick answer
EXIT is the event that put Serbia on the world music map: born in 2000 as a student protest in Novi Sad, held on Petrovaradin Fortress from 2001, and twice named Best Major Festival at the European Festival Awards. After its 2025 edition it left Serbia and toured abroad in 2026. Its founders have said they hope to return; we’ll update this guide the moment a 2027 edition is announced.
Quick facts
- Founded
- 2000, Novi Sad (student protest)
- Home
- Petrovaradin Fortress, 2001–2025
- Awards
- Best Major Festival, European Festival Awards 2013 & 2017
- 2026
- World tour, including Montenegro
- 2027
- Return hoped for, not yet announced
- Last checked
- 28 Oct 2026
How EXIT began
EXIT started in summer 2000 as a 100-day student event on the University of Novi Sad campus, part of the movement against the government of the time. In 2001 it moved to Petrovaradin Fortress, and grew into one of Europe’s biggest festivals.
Petrovaradin and the Dance Arena
The fortress turned into a city of stages, tunnels and terraces above the Danube. The Main Stage held around 35,000 people, and the Dance Arena, a natural amphitheatre in the fortress moat, became one of the most famous electronic stages in the world.
Why it matters to Serbia
For many visitors, EXIT was their first reason to come to Serbia. It is often named, alongside Djoković and Jokić, as the thing the country is best known for abroad.
2026 and the future
After the July 2025 edition, EXIT announced it would leave Serbia, citing political and financial pressure, and in 2026 ran events abroad, including in Montenegro. The founders have said they hope to bring it back. If EXIT returns to Petrovaradin in 2027, this page becomes our full ticket, stay and survival guide.
If it returns: how to plan
- Tickets: early-bird passes sell out first; buy only from the official site
- Stay: Novi Sad old town or Petrovaradin; or Belgrade with the fast train (about 36 min)
- Camping: EXIT traditionally ran an official campsite by the Danube
- Pack: comfortable shoes for the fortress hills, a power bank, cash for small stalls
Tip: Book your room first, because Novi Sad fills up during the festival. Sleep during the day and bring comfortable shoes for the fortress climb, as the sets run until morning.
Hotels in Novi Sad
Festival dates sell out the city. Book early with free cancellation.
Search Novi Sad hotelsFrequently asked questions
Is EXIT happening in 2027?
Not announced yet. The festival left Serbia after 2025 and its founders hope to return. We’ll update this page as soon as there is news.
Where was EXIT held?
On Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, from 2001 to 2025.
What is the Dance Arena?
EXIT’s famous electronic stage in the fortress moat, holding around 25,000 people.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Exit (festival)
- Skiddle: a brief history of EXIT
- Mixmag: EXIT 2026 in Montenegro
- Far Out: EXIT to leave Serbia
Checked 28 Oct 2026. Prices and timetables change; confirm before you travel.
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