Advent in Vinkovci: Eastern Croatian city ready for the magical time of year

Advent in Vinkovci set to start (Photo credit: Advent in Vinkovci)

Advent in the eastern Croatian city of Vinkovci returns in all its glory with 40-days of events, announced the City of Vinkovci and the Tourist Board on Wednesday. 

It all starts next Saturday, November 26, with the lighting of the first Advent candle, and ends with the closing of the ice skating rink on January 8, 2023.

Just like last year, there are two locations of this year’s Advent – the central city park and Trg Slobode. The park will again be the centre of the religious part of Advent. Four candles will be lit around the statue of the Holy Trinity on Saturdays, which will be lit by the local parishioners and priests. 

Advent in Vinkovci (Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)

There will also be numerous concerts by choirs and performers who will bring to the city a predominantly religious, but also holiday atmosphere that will further enrich the indispensable Christmas concert at the gymnasium.

On the four Advent Saturdays at the Christmas Fair in the park, visitors will be able to buy something for themselves or their loved ones, and also enjoy hot drinks and delicious buns.

“I am glad that we can announce the most beautiful time of the year, the time of Advent in which we all try to relax a little, enjoy everything that it brings us, but also turn to those closest to us. Advent in Vinkovci has become a serious brand so far, visitors come from all over Slavonia and Baranja, and we have the opportunity to present our town in the most beautiful light. We like to show all this during the winter, so I hope and expect that there will be a few snowflakes that will make our Advent even more beautiful,” said the president of the organising committee, Mayor Ivan Bosančić.

Press conference (Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)

The head of the Administrative Department for Culture and Tourism, Marija Liščić Drmić, and the director of the Tourist Board, Martina Matković, introduced the entertainment part of the content, stressing that visitors will have to wait another week for the Fairytale on Bosut, located on Trg Slobode. 

The ice rink will open on December 9. There will also be Santa’s house and a diverse gastronomic offer with cold and hot drinks.

Ice rink (Photo: Advent in Vinkovci)

In addition to the Christmas cab ride through the streets of the city, for the first time exactly at noon the Children’s New Year will be welcomed in with champagne. The little ones will be entertained by the Orion Full Band, while  Sinovi ravnice will be in charge of the welcome party a few hours later. 

Jacques Houdek, Meritas, Gretta, Mia Dimšić, Greasy Flat and the Inzulin band – Oliver Dragojević tribute band will also take the stage during this year’s Advent.

You can find the complete programme of events on adventvinkovci.com or on Advent in Vinkovci social networks.