Around 150,000 people from more than 100 countries attended EXIT to Montenegro this summer, as the award winning festival brand staged two free beach events in Ulcinj and Budva after political pressure over its support for student protests forced it out of Serbia.
The EXIT to Montenegro run became a central chapter of an international tour spanning Europe and reaching as far as Egypt. Named Promoter of the Year at this year’s European Festival Awards, EXIT billed the Adriatic events as one of the largest and most significant free to attend music festivals of their kind globally, following an agreement with the Montenegrin Government focused on developing music tourism.
The chapter opened at Long Beach in Ulcinj in July and closed with a three night Sea Dance finale on the beach in Budva. The Long Beach Edition ran at Velika Plaža from 3 to 6 July, with warm up events from 1 to 3 July, while Sea Dance took over Bečići Beach from 28 to 31 August, with warm ups from 24 to 27 August. Both festivals were free to attend, with prior registration through exit2montenegro.me.
Most international visitors travelled from Germany, the UK, Turkey, Italy, Poland, France, the United States and countries across the Balkan region. When the project was announced, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said Montenegro was becoming EXIT’s new home in the year marking the 20th anniversary of the country’s independence. He estimated the events in Ulcinj and Budva would generate at least 210,000 overnight stays and more than €40 million in tourism revenue during 2026.
HUGEL, Charlotte de Witte, Boris Brejcha and Argy led the line-ups across the two festivals, alongside Eurovision winner DARA. They were joined by John Newman with his new live show, Enrico Sangiuliano, RPR Soundsystem, Marcel Dettmann, Mita Gami, BIIA, Monolink, Jamie Jones, Maceo Plex, Stephan Bodzin, Lanna, Layla Benitez and Burak Yeter, plus leading regional acts and a major showcase of Montenegro’s domestic music scene.
One of the strongest visual links between the two events was EXIT’s monumental 12 metre sculpture “Ivana”, transformed throughout the night through lighting and 3D mapping. The sculpture is dedicated to Ivana Kovačević, a mother of three and one of the most important members of the EXIT family, who passed away last year. Conceived as an act of love and remembrance, it also carries a broader message about the empowerment of the feminine principle, enduring love and the importance of protecting nature, especially Long Beach in Ulcinj, where the first edition was held.
Beyond the festivals themselves, EXIT’s Montenegro chapter also carried a humanitarian message through the “United for Kids” charity evening, which raised support for a rehabilitation house for children recovering from cancer treatment, as well as for the local Day Centre for children and young people with disabilities. John Newman, who himself battled cancer several years ago, supported the initiative with an intimate DJ set.
Following Sea Dance in Budva, Spajić described EXIT’s arrival as a chance for Montenegro to strengthen its international profile. “EXIT is not just about bringing a major festival to Montenegro. It is an opportunity for the country to showcase its full potential, energy and openness – a confirmation that Montenegro is taking centre stage in the region and attracting attention from around the world,” he said.
Reflecting on EXIT’s first season beyond Serbia, founder and CEO Dušan Kovačević said: “Following our departure from Serbia, it was a big challenge to completely transform our business model while already in motion. At times, it felt like upgrading an aircraft engine while the plane was still flying. However, we are extremely pleased with how our international tour has unfolded so far. Every festival has been a great success, especially the recently concluded Sea Dance in Budva, and we are grateful to Montenegro for giving us its support when we needed it most. In return, we delivered truly exceptional events and fantastic images that travelled around the world. I am especially proud that, alongside some of the biggest international stars, we engaged as many as 122 local artists, giving them the opportunity to perform in front of an international audience.”
Building on a summer that connected Ulcinj and Budva, EXIT is continuing its international journey. The next stop is Egypt, where the brand has been entrusted with staging the first multi stage, multi day festival in front of the Pyramids of Giza. More from EXIT is available via its website, Instagram, and a thank you video.
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