If you were lucky enough to visit Split during next ten days, your stay with us will have very special bonus, festivities around holiday of city's Patron Saint, Saint Domnius or Domnio. This centuries old celebration, locally known as Sudamja, takes place on May 7, but whole week before and days after the big day are filled with events which will bring you local spirit and traditions. Those days Split lives on its streets and squares, honouring its biggest holiday and local heritage. If you want to join, and feel like a local, here are some of festivities' highlights.

Since Sudamja is originally a religious holiday, there are daily masses in Saint Domnius' Cathedral, at 7 and 8 pm, ending on May 5. On final night, concert of religious music will be held at 8 pm, in the very heart of the Diocletian Palace, on Peristyle square. Of course, main event is big procession from Peristyle, around town to Riva promenade, where big open-air service will be held on May 7. Day before, it's a tradition to open Saint Domnius' sarcophagus in the cathedral, when his reliquaries will be taken out to be carried during the procession. It's especially important moment of the whole celebration.

One of traditions is a fair of  crafts and arts at the Market and along Riva. If you really want to do something every local will do, buy anything made of wood, either spoon or a toy. Nobody knows when that tradition began, but everyone is holding to it. If you want to see real Dalmatian festa, come to Veli Varoš, old neighbourhood on Marjan slopes once inhabited with fishermen and farmers. There, next to the church of Holy Cross, on May 2 and 3 join Holy Cross festival, with local food, music and plenty of wine.

Of course, Sudamja will be filled with concerts, folklore and other performance. Main stage at Riva will host local bands, but also folklore societies and choirs. Also, on May 3 you can enjoy concert of some of the finest Dalmatian klapa, traditional a Capella singing protected by UNESCO. Some might find it interesting to see "Split Aquarelle", operetta about life in Split in 1920s, composed by Split native Ivo Tijardović. On holiday, it's very popular to play some tombola, Mediterranean version of bingo at Riva, and at night there will be a concert ending with a fireworks.

And it's not all. From May 4 to May 7 selected restaurants within Diocletian Palace will be a part of culinary event Gastro Get Festival. The one you shouldn't miss is Food and Drink Festa at the old fish market, with local specialties giveaway. Those who like flowers will enjoy Floral Fair in the Diocletian Palace's Substructures. Unique rowing race will take place on May 6 in the port, right in front of the main promenade, with legends of rowing teams of Split and Universities Oxford and Cambridge. It's probably the biggest concentration of world championship and Olympic medal winners anywhere in the world. This race will be a finale of international universities race on the northern side of Marjan, with participation of - among others - Oxford and Cambridge.

I kept a cherry for the end. On May 5, at Žnjan Beach, famed Scottish band, new wave legends Simple Minds will have a concert. Just like one of their songs said, At The Waterfront. And, yes, it's free!