EXIT Festival is carefully weighing a return to Serbia, its home for 25 years, after the country's former president Aleksandar Vučić was ousted through a student-led protest movement. Founder and CEO Dusan Kovacevic shared the festival's position with Festival Insights this week, saying no final decision has been made.

At a glance

  • EXIT left Serbia in 2025 after spending 25 years there.
  • In 2026 the festival ran a 'World Tour' with events in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Egypt and other destinations.
  • Kovacevic says fans, supporters and media have sent thousands of messages asking for EXIT to come back.
  • The team is considering all possibilities and has promised to keep the public informed.

What we know

Kovacevic described the moment as historic. He said the festival is witnessing developments that will have a complete impact on the country's future.

Since election night, he said, thousands of messages have arrived from people wanting EXIT back in Serbia. He added that the team is deeply grateful for that interest and support.

On the question of timing, Kovacevic was careful. He said the team is taking into account the time and preparation needed to organise a festival of this scale, and that it will keep assessing the situation.

Why EXIT left

When EXIT moved away in 2025, the festival said the decision came from its support of a student uprising taking place across Serbia. It said it had been subjected to immense financial and political pressures aimed at stripping it of its rights to freedom of thought and expression.

The student protests began in response to the Novi Sad station tragedy in November 2024, when a concrete canopy collapsed and 16 people died. The incident spread into widespread protests that accused the government of corruption and negligence.

Why it matters

EXIT is one of the best-known festivals in the Balkans, and its departure was a big change for the region's live music calendar. A return would be closely watched by fans who have followed the festival through its touring year.

For now, though, there is no announced date, venue or lineup. Anything beyond what Kovacevic has said would be speculation, so it is worth waiting for an official announcement from the festival. You can read more about the event on its Exit Festival page.

Source: Festival Insights. Photo: James Frid on Pexels.