Carnival

Every week in July, Vrnjacka Banja is a big stage with numerous costume balls, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, plays... central event is Big International Carnival Procession.

Tradition of costume balls (so-called Kermises) in Vrnjacka Banja dates back to 1868.

... The most amazing Kermises were staged on the large terrace of the modern spa baths facility. The whole Banja, all its citizens, as well as the residents of surrounding villages partook in the Kermis festivity. Guests from other places were invited for Kermis, and on Kermis day the spa was refined, immaculately clean and all in festive attire. There were flowers everywhere, and twice a day the music in a march parade was passing along the streets. Terraces of the baths were adorned with numerous lampions and decorative lights, and pyro-technicians were hastily making final preparations for unforgettable fireworks display. Kermis began at about nine o'clock in the evening, and was opened by appropriate speech of the president of some charitable organization on whose behalf all the funds were raised, and afterwards the actors, singers and artists performed.
The women of Banja were preparing countless cakes for that night, simply competing who would bake the most beautiful dessert. Cakes were passed around for free - that was the gift of Vrnjacka Banja’s inhabitants to their guests, and caterers were serving beverages and other goodies. With play, various attractions, beauty contests and other prizes, the most beautiful and most romantic summer night in Vrnjacka Banja was taking place...

(Excerpt from: Stories from the past of the Vrnjacka Banja by Branko Radosavljevic)

Renewed carnival was held in 2005, from July 12th to July 17th, around the week of July 14th when the first tourist agency in Balkans was founded at this very place.
34 carnival troupes from Serbia and all over the world took place in the event, with more than 1,500 participants. The following year children carnival procession was established and Vrnjacka Banja Carnival became member of FECC (Federation of European Carnival Cities).
Year in and year out, this event has been bringing together an increasing number of participants and visitors from the country and around the world. The acknowledgement for previous work is the Tourist Flower award, for the best tourist manifestation. This prestigious award is presented by Tourism Organization of Serbia with the support of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism.