In a landmark move for India’s live entertainment industry, Sunburn Festival has announced its entry into Europe with the launch of Sunburn Europe Croatia Sail Week 2026, in partnership with The Playmaker Group. Scheduled for July 2026, the week-long festival will take place along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, coinciding with the globally popular Yacht Week Croatia.
The new format marks a significant shift in live music experiences, transforming the festival into a multi-destination residency spread across yachts, beaches and historic venues. The event will begin with boarding in Split and Trogir, followed by an opening at the Kamerlengo Fortress. Subsequent stops include Bol’s Zlatni Rat beach, Stari Grad’s open-water raft party, and Hvar’s vibrant nightlife scene. The journey will conclude with experiences in Vis, including a visit to the Blue Cave and a closing event at Fort George.
This expansion follows Sunburn’s recent international push into Abu Dhabi, positioning 2026 as a pivotal year for the brand. Over nearly two decades, Sunburn has built a strong presence across Asia, and its Europe debut signals its ambition to evolve into a globally recognised entertainment platform.
Karan Singh, CEO of Sunburn, said the initiative reflects changing audience preferences. “Festival-goers today are seeking immersive, travel-led experiences that combine music, culture and community. With this format, the journey itself becomes the festival,” he noted, adding that the move represents an opportunity to take an Indian-born brand to the global stage.
Croatia has emerged as a key destination for music tourism, known for its scenic coastline, island circuits and vibrant festival ecosystem. Kristijan Grzetic, Chief Marketing Officer of The Playmaker Group, said the collaboration strengthens Croatia’s position as a hub for experiential tourism while introducing a major Indian music brand to European audiences.
The on-water experience will be delivered in partnership with The Bucketlust, which specialises in curated sailing-based festivals across Europe.
The festival will feature a curated mix of house, techno and commercial EDM, with performances taking place across dynamic locations rather than a single stage. Organisers say this fluid format allows the environment—ranging from open sea to heritage structures—to become an integral part of the experience.
As Sunburn approaches its 20th anniversary, the Europe launch reflects a broader shift in India’s entertainment sector, with homegrown platforms increasingly shaping global cultural narratives.
Registrations for Sunburn Europe Croatia Sail Week 2026 are currently open, with ticket sales set to begin soon on BookMyShow