Christmas time in Croatian cities - Top destinations

You do not need a calendar in Croatia to know that Christmas is approaching. Luminous decorations on every corner, small houses full of souvenirs with holiday motifs and the alluring scents of mulled wine and local cakes are signs that Christmas has come. 

It is difficult to decide which places to visit in Croatia during Advent, because each of them has its own charm. Whichever location you choose or at least peek into the Advent atmosphere through our cameras, you will feel the real Advent atmosphere.

Zagreb – European Best Destination

Advent in Zagreb will begin with the lighting of the first Advent candle on on Manduševac, and after that the lights on Zrinjevac will be lit  and opening of the Ice Park with an ice rink on Tomislav Square. The multi-award-winning program of Advent and New Year's events will last until January 7, 2025. It will be held in 18 locations, mostly in the inner city, and the novelty is that this year it will reach Kvaternik Square.

Ball in Upper town, Polar Express in Grič tunnel, Moon garden in Ribnjak park, Nutcrackers in front of HNK, Big, big Christmas in King Petar Svačić Square, Layers of Christmas in Vlaška and Masarykova Streets, Miraculous Christmas in Frane Petrića Street, located in the very in the heart of Zagreb, the Legendary Advent on the Square tells about Zagreb and its legends, two ZET Christmas trams, many concerts, themed evenings and a great atmosphere.

Advent in Karlovac

Advent in the city on four rivers will be held from 13. until 31.12.2024. The Advent race on December 14 with the start and finish on the promenade near the Music Pavilion will be held for the fifth time in a row. Advent in Karlovac has positioned itself as one of the most diverse programs in Croatia, and with its gastronomic offer it is undoubtedly the richest event in Karlovac County. Well-known and favorite locations are waiting for you - Promenade of Dr. Franje Tuđman, City ice rink near Sokolski dom, City theater Zorin dom, Old town Dubovac, Aquatika, Cinema Edison and other locations. Get ready for great concerts, movies, workshops, ice skating and more.

Advent in Varazdin

Advent in Varaždin is located in the very heart of the historic city center. It is a favorite winter event, which last year was declared "The most beautiful Advent in Croatia". The ice magic at one of the largest open-air ice rinks in Croatia, on Kapucinski trg, is just one of Varaždin's attractions.

Over the next six weeks, more than 130 programs of all kinds, colors and shapes for all tastes and ages will be held at eight locations in the beautifully decorated historical center of Varaždin.

The Magical City of Santa Claus located in the courtyard of Sermage Palace, Varaždin's main square, the popular Korzo, is the heart of the city, so it is also the heart of Advent beauties. At Miljenka Stančić Square, you can buy special gifts, Christmas decorations and souvenirs and experience an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. The Advent ferris wheel in Gajeva Street at a height of 23 m will allow visitors to enjoy the view of the festively decorated Varaždin from a bird's eye view. Varaždin's large and fairy-tale ice rink and the famous ice slide have become true symbols of Advent in Varaždin.

 Rijeka - the most magical Advent on Kvarner

Advent in Rijeka lasts from 29.11.2024. - 07.01.2025. The program will take place in several city locations - from Trsatska Gradina, via Korz and Rijeka Resolution Square to Karolina Rijeka Gate, where the ice rink is traditionally located. The new concert and catering location GAT, located on Adamić gat, was opened. The opening of Advent begins with the lighting of 12 kilometers of Christmas lights on Trsat Castle. Rijeka Resolution Square will once again turn into a gastronomic corner of Advent in Rijeka and will also be the main Advent location in the center of the city. a traditional Gastrofest, a Christmas market, is held on Korzo, and the children will be delighted by Santa's train. 

Advent in Pula - L'Avvento a Pola

Advent in Pula is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in Croatia. This year's edition of the event "Advent in Pula - L'Avvento a Pola" in five locations lasts from 01.12. 2024. - 07.01.2025. Traditional locations with concerts on the Portarata, children's programs in the Graz City Park and cottages in the Giardini. The ice rink and the program in the Arena are new. One of the highlights of the experience will be the snow-covered stone stands of the Arena, with an area of ​​1,200 m², on which 111 illuminated Christmas trees will be placed.

Advent in  Zadar - city promenade

Advent in Zadar starts every year on Zadar City Day - the feast of St. Krševan, the patron of the city. This is the first and earliest opening of this year's Advent events in Croatia.The central location of the event is Trg Petar Zoranić and Trg pet bunara, where wooden catering houses will be located and concerts by famous performers will be held.

You can experience a real Christmas fairy tale in the atrium of the Cedulin Palace, where a life-size nativity scene has traditionally been set up in an appropriately decorated and illuminated space. There is also the unavoidable and appropriate Zadar Christmas Run, which is traditionally run from Borik to Zadar.The traditional event "Winter Park" will once again take place in the Sports Center Višnjik.

Šibenik Adventure - the best Advent o the coast

The top ten is the name of this year's Adventure, which will once again turn Šibenik into a real Christmas magic on three floors of the garden, on Poljana and in the Arsen House of Art. And this Adventura is plastic free and zero waste, a sign of toasting from reusable cups.

The main setting is the beautiful Perivoj by Roberto Visiani, where Gibonni opens the magical Advent, while the neighboring Poljana is home to an ice rink.Right next to Perivoje is the Christmas ŠuŠur, an event that will bring delicious snacks and great music along the Sibenik waterfront.Exciting and fun Advent events will be the best introduction to the biggest festival of the year: the welcome in front of St. James's Cathedral.

Advent in Split

Advent in Split, this year under the motto "To you and your family". The central place of musical evenings and concerts will be Pjaca, while a varied and entertaining program awaits us at numerous other locations - from Zvončac and Mertojak to Riva and Prokurativ. The Advent atmosphere will be further enriched by the decorated Peristyle, Diocletian's Cellars and the illuminated Riva, while the New Year's Eve on the Riva will be marked by a concert by Dubioza Kolektiv, creating an unforgettable end to the year.

The Advent program also includes special events in Split and the surrounding areas. Traditionally, children will welcome St. Nicholas and Luka on Gaje Bulata Square, while on Christmas Eve portions of cod will be distributed, along with caroling and klapa performances in the kalas, piazzas and vaults. Citizens will be treated to a performance at the Croatian National Theater, and a New Year's ball will be held at the Croatian Home.

Dubrovnik Winter Festival

Back in 2014, Dubrovnik started the Winter Festival, an event that takes place from the end of November to the beginning of January. The 11th Dubrovnik Winter Festival begins on December 1st with the lighting of the first Advent candle on Stradun and the switching on of decorative holiday lighting, with a special emphasis on programs within the Children's Winter Festival. You can enjoy the ice rink in Lapad and Mokošicca, as well as Baš Baština in Lazareti, and special programs will be held from day to day in many attractive locations throughout the city. This year, the events will take place in several locations in the historic center, first of all on Stradun, where numerous concerts and a spectacular New Year's Eve  ith Zucchero and Cetinski. There are also North Pole Station in Lazareti. The celebratory atmosphere on the last day of 2024 begins already at noon, when Dubrovnik bartenders prepare New Year's cocktails in front of the City Cafe. Already traditionally, on January 1, a waltz will be danced on Stradun at noon, accompanied by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra.

Crikvenica Riviera - Magic by the sea

Advent in Crikvenica is held in three locations - the center of events will be on Stjepan Radić Square, Preradovićeva Street also offers an interesting music and entertainment program, and the traditional Advent Park is also nearby. Houses with catering are located in Preradovićeva Street and Stjepan Radić Square.Ice skating rink Ledena morska bajka will attract visitors to Trg Stjepana Radić this year, and Santa's House will also find its place there. In addition to the ice rink, an ice slide, as long as 35 meters, has been prepared.Pancake Festival Pancake Day is December 14, where visitors will be able to enjoy their favorite delicacy.In the Advent park, socializing with St. Nicholas and a ride on the Christmas train are organized, as well as various shows and workshops.It will be interesting again this year at the end of December, when Crikvenica celebrates the New Year.

Fuzine - Traditional New Year's Eve

From November 30 to January 7, 2025, an Advent-Christmas program with a series of cultural and entertainment events will be held in Fužine. Many activities have been organized for children: various workshops, writing a letter to Santa Claus, an upcycling workshop that turns waste into fun art projects, a winter garden of Santa Claus and elves with a skating rink, an elf forest in the historical park of Gorica. Jingle&Mingle corner for adults will provide a range of delicacies in addition to the concerts. The Christmas Fužine Express train is one of the multi-wheeled attractions that will run between Jingle&Mingle Corner and Santa's Winter Garden and offer visitors a unique panoramic journey through the magical area, enhanced with Christmas lights and rich decorations. This year's Advent in Fužine and the cult farewell to the Old and New Year at noon is a prelude to the year 2025.

Advent in Samobor

Advent in Rovinj - L'avvento Rovigno

This year, the holiday spirit will come to life in Rovinj with a rich musical program as part of the Advent events that will last from December 6 to January 4, with more than 30 concerts on the city's main square.

Christmas from the sea – Natale sur mare. Rovinj batana, a symbol of Rovinj's maritime and fishing tradition, is the backbone of the new concept of Advent in Rovinj. Sail on the advent batana through Rovinj's history and heritage all the way to the modern part of Rovinj. Taste the autochthonous Istrian flavors through specially created Advent menus, with lots of good music, entertainment and festive festive moments for everyone. 

On Valdibora Square, which is the main Advent location, there are Advent houses that offer a variety of appropriate Advent and autochthonous dishes and drinks, as well as a rich program that will be accompanied by live concerts every day on a stage where the old town center will be the perfect backdrop.