The festival, Evenings of Dalmatian Chansons was originated in 1998, in honor of the celebration of the Bishopric's 700 th birthday. Evenings of Dalmatian Chansons is a festival where composers, singers and harmony- singing groups allow the audience to enjoy excellent music and lyrics.

Common participants are:
•  Dalmatian harmony-singing groups: Cambi, Šibenik, Maslina, Kumpanji, Cesarice, Nostalgija, Fortica, Teuta.
•  Composers-singers: Arsen Dedić, Kemal Monteno, Tedi Spalato, Gibonni, Đani Maršan, Meri Cetinić,…
•  Soloists: Vice Vukov, Radojka Šverko, Gabi Novak, Ibrica Jušić, Ivo Pattiera, Dean Dvornik,…

 

“Evenings of Dalmatian Chansons” is a highly praised festival, because the opus of music that is performed is very good and because it is a well organized festival. The festival selects the finest composers, singers and performers; it is placed among Croatia 's most respectable musical festivals. The festival has been confirmed as the best culture event in Šibenik in 1998, and 1999. The album “Evenings of Dalmatian Chansons Šibenik 2000” was awarded with a PORIN (Croatian record award). The festival is divided into two parts: the evening of old compositions, and the evening of recent compositions. Special attention is drawn to the evening of new songs (compositions are accepted and reviewed in February the preceding year), and also to the evening of old songs, songs that had left an impact on the Croatian music scene throughout the past 40 years. These old compositions are usually interpreted differently, modernly and they are performed by more singers, groups or ensembles.

One of the characteristics of this festival is that all of the compositions are performed live accompanied by an orchestra, or by a harmony –singing group. The festival is held in the second half of August (15.08 – 22.08), namely the first weekend after the catholic holiday on the 15 th of August (The assumption of the Virgin Mary). As an introduction to the festivities, many exhibitions are organized in various galleries, as well as many classical concerts. The compositions are assessed by six radio stations, a group of judges and by the audience. The awards are a chanson statue, and a festival medallion. Awards are presented for: best debut, best lyrics, best interpretation, the most performed chanson, the most complete composition by a composer-singer, the audience award and for best chanson.