EXIT Festival to Return to Serbia in 2028

EXIT Festival will return to Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2028, three years after leaving the country due to financial and political pressure from the Serbian government. The festival announced the homecoming today via social media, days after a student-led party won control of the government in elections earlier this week.

Why EXIT Left Serbia

EXIT departed Serbia following its 25th-anniversary edition in 2025, after the government withdrew state funding and tourism grants in response to the festival's political stance. The organization had publicly supported a student movement that began with protests following the November 2024 collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station, which killed 16 people. Organisers stated at the time that freedom has no price and that they were leaving to defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

Preview Event Planned for 2027

While the full-scale festival will not return until 2028, organisers are planning a special EXIT experience at Petrovaradin Fortress in July 2027. More details on the preview event will be announced in the coming months.

Speculation about EXIT's return began shortly after the student-led party won the elections. The 2028 edition will mark the festival's return to its historic home after what will be a three-year absence.