PHOTOS: Christmas comes alive in the city of Vinkovci
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
The eastern Croatian city of Vinkovci has come alive with the Christmas spirit and atmosphere. From 29 November until 6 January, Advent in Vinkovci will bring fun for all ages to the city.
This year, the Vinkovci Ice Fairy Tale is once again located in front of the library and will be open from today until the 6th of January.
The rink will operate from 10 am to 10 pm Monday to Thursday, and until 11 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Organisers are hoping for favourable weather, as every ice rink relies on low temperatures and no rain.
For this Advent season in Vinkovci, enjoying the rink will cost just one euro – two at most if you need to rent skates. Renting skates for 40 minutes of skating costs one euro, the same price as a single skating session.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
After each session, a 20-minute break will be used for maintenance to ensure the ice is ready for the next round of skating adventures. While evenings tend to be busier, mornings are reserved for group visits from nurseries and schools, offering an innovative and enjoyable open-air PE class.
The impressive 500-square-metre ice rink has become a central gathering spot for all generations of Vinkovci residents. The rink comprises a staggering 40 tonnes of ice, almost 10 centimetres thick, ensuring durability against increasingly mild winters.
Preparations for the icy surface have been closely monitored by Vinko the Snowman, the mascot of the Ice Fairy Tale, who will entertain visitors and pose for photos.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
Traditional festive foods will not be in short supply this year, with local vendors offering delicacies such as sausages, flatbreads, fritters, dumplings, and yeast dumplings, alongside mulled wine and rum punch.
For children, and anyone who feels young at heart, Santa’s colourful cottage awaits, complete with a postbox for letters filled with Christmas wishes addressed to Lapland.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
Santa himself will visit daily from 6 pm to 8 pm to collect the letters and pose for photos with the little ones. On Saturdays and Sundays, he will also make appearances in the morning, from 10 am to 12 pm, right up until Christmas Eve – just in time to deliver all the gifts.
The festive lights will be switched on this evening, starting with the creation of the Wreath of Hope at the library and a gathering at the rink at 6 pm.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
At 7 pm, a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Male Singing Group Lipa will take place in the theatre, followed by a concert by Neno Belan on the stage next to the rink.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
On Saturday evening, Father Ilija Sudar, the parish priest of St Vincent Pallotti Church, will lead his congregation to the town centre to light the first candle on the Advent wreath, symbolising the coming of light to our town and the world.
(Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)
Following this, the stage near the rink will host a concert featuring children’s choirs from Vinkovci’s primary schools. More info below.
