Advent in Zagreb: Guide to the winter festivities

(Photo credit: Julien Duval/Zagreb TZ)

The most beautiful time of the year is about to begin, as the winter magic will take over Zagreb in exactly one month. 

The highly anticipated Advent in Zagreb will kick off on December 2nd and last until January 7th. This year, there will also be a “warm-up” known as the Advent Warm-up, starting on November 29th.

The Upper Town of Zagreb, along with a part of the city centre, will be a major construction site for post-earthquake reconstruction this winter, meaning some of the Advent events will not take place at popular locations. However, alternative locations have been arranged for these events.

The traditional lighting of the first Advent candle at Manduševac on Saturday, December 2nd, will mark the beginning of one of Zagreb’s most recognizable tourist events. The Zagreb soloists will open the Advent Warm-up on November 29th at Oktogon.

(Photo: M.Tomaš/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević confirmed that in addition to last year’s locations at the European Square, Zrinjevac, and Strossmayer Square, new locations within the pedestrian zone and at Ban Jelačić Square will be introduced.

(Photo: Julien Duval/Zagreb Tourist Board)

The “Great, Great Christmas” at Svačić Square will commence on December 9th, while the Mažuranac Ball is scheduled for December 15th. This year, the at Gradec Square will move to the main city square. Matoš and the Cats are a new city location within the pedestrian zone, replacing Štros at the Upper Town. 

For the first time, Advent will come the city park Ribnjak, where the “Moon Garden” will be located, moving from Bele IV Park, and the “Ice Fairy Tale” for the youngest will start on December 16th. 

Fuliranje will come to Strossmeyer Square as usual, and Zrinjevac, where the entire event began about ten years ago, will also be indispensable. Skating enthusiasts will once again enjoy the delights of the ice rink at Tomislavac this year, Večernji list reported.

In addition to the aforementioned locations, locals and tourists will be able to enjoy Advent at Svečić Square and Mažuranić Square. Along with the “mingle” locations, decorative sites are also being prepared. Advent decorations will also arrive at Ribnjak Park, Ban Jelačić Square, near the Croatian National Theatre, where Nutcrackers will be placed, and festive sales and catering will be organized at the stalls on Gajeva, Bogovićeva, and the main square.

(Photo: (Photo: Julien Duval/ Zagreb Tourist Board)

“For the first time, we are entering the Croatian National Theatre, which will be open in the afternoons so that everyone can enter and capture memories of Advent with a photograph. Special decorations will also arrive at Ban Jelačić Square, with this year’s theme being the Kaleidoscope,” Martina Bienenfeld, the director of the Zagreb Tourist Board, said, adding that over 100 concerts, exhibitions in museums and galleries, as well as performances in theatres, are being prepared for Advent.

For the first time, over a hundred children from the best Australian choirs are coming to Zagreb. This year, we are also celebrating 50 grand years of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. For three days, it will be possible to visit the hall and explore its hidden corners, as well as to attend concerts. The Zagreb soloists will also have their concerts at the Ethnographic Museum and the Zagreb City Museum.

(Photo: Julien Duval/TZGZ)

Among other cultural activities, it is worth mentioning that a “flash mob” on a tram is also being prepared. We do not know when it will happen, in which tram, or at what time, but that is part of the surprise. The Ethnographic Museum is also preparing an exhibition called “Sweet Saints,” so that it’s not just Saint Nicholas who will be made of chocolate, and the Chocolate Museum will also organise a workshop for making sweet chocolate figurines.

(Photo credit: S Kaštelan/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Although there won’t be Advent in the Upper Town this year, there will be a rich cultural program. The Advent Symphony of the City is a novelty, and the well-known lighting of Advent lanterns, numerous concerts, and exhibitions will be held. In order for numerous tourists to discover the charms of Advent in the Croatian capital this year, promotion has begun in 23 markets. 

This year, collaborations with Croatia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and HŽ Passenger Transport are also underway. Last year, 213,000 overnight stays were recorded, which is three times more than ten years earlier, in December 2012.

More details on the official website here