The theatrical ensemble of the Croatian National Theatre Zadar, located in Široka ulica, Kalelarga) was founded 14 years ago, when it started its professional productions together with the Zadar actors. It offers season tickets, as well as on-the-day tickets throughout the year, and is famous for its yearly event, the Zadar Summer Theatre.

Croatian Medieval liturgical dramas and ritual games were performed in Zadar as early as the 11th century, so that is when the history of Croatian theatre started. The first modern theatre dates back to 1783 (Teatro Nobile), while the New Theatre from 1865 was considered the most beautiful theatre building in Dalmatia. The first professional theatre carried the name National Theatre (Narodno kazalište) since 1945, and today it is known as the Croatian National Theatre (Hrvatsko narodno kazalište) Zadar