For four decades, traditional festival of mimosa has been organized in Herceg Novi from the end of December till early March every year. Tourist representatives of this town and a group of journalists founded this festival in honour of the first winter flower – mimosa – the herald of spring. The Mimosa festival starts in carnival atmosphere, and ends with public trial to the carnival at the main City Square.

In the meantime, during the eight-nine weeks of the festival, many theatrical, music, literary and sports events, as well as fine art exhibitions, are organized in the town. Still, masked balls for children and adults, organized in the "Plaza" ("The Beach") hotel, fishing festivals and mimosa picking along the Herceg Novi Riviera, are the most attractive parts of the festival, as well as a several day long exhibition of flowers in the "Topla" hotel.

Herceg Novi winter art salon, gathering only the artists from former Yugoslavia for the time being, is also organized within the festival in gallery Benkovic every year. Three most successful artists between two Salons are awarded for painting, graphics, and sculpture.

During the Mimosa festival, special caravan with girls (“mazoretke”), trombonists and masks, carrying first mimosas, are guests in bigger towns of Montenegro, Serbia and abroad. At the same time, the caravan is an original way of promoting attractive tourist offer of Herceg Novi Riviera and Bay of Boka, and Montenegrin seaside in general.