Zagreb Aiming to Defend Best Christmas Markets in Europe Title

Advent in Zagreb (Photo: Marko Vrdoljak/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Zagreb’s award-winning Christmas Markets will take place from 2 December 2017 – 7 January 2018.

A magical atmosphere around the city will start with the Christmas candles being lit on the main square on 2 December at 5 pm which will signal the start of Advent in Zagreb and a number happenings at various locations around the city.

(Photo: J.Duval/Zagreb Tourist Board)

“This year we will aim to defend the title of the best Advent in Europe,” Zagreb Tourist Board Director Martina Bienenfeld said at a press conference on Monday announcing this year’s Advent.

(Photo: S. Kastelan/Zagreb Tourist Board)

This year Advent in Zagreb will last 40 days, with a full programme going on every day with more than 2,500 participants.

(Photo: Mehulic/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Last year tourism in the capital was up thanks to Advent with 34% more overnight stays recorded. This year the numbers are expected to be bigger, Bienenfeld added.

A number of new attractions will take place for the first time this year, which has an Orient Express theme, including Advent at Prekrižje with the unique opportunity to visit the building and adjoining gardens at Villa Prekrižje, which have been closed for general public for decades.

(Zagreb Tourist Board)

Caffe de Matoš on Strossmayer’s Promenade is also a new edition. Pop-up shops, and live music performed by top street-style musicians from 18:00 to 21:00 on weeknights and from 11:00 to 14:00 during the weekend will take place in the Upper Town with the most amazing views of Zagreb.

Caffe de Matoš (Zagreb Tourist Board)

Advent in the Croatian Railway Museum is another new edition, and Fuliranje moves from Tomic street to Stross this year.

The regular highlights are also back, including.

Advent on the Main Square

Zagreb main square (photo credit: Julien Duval/ZTB)

The first thing to visit is Trg Ban Josip Jelačić, the main square, where the large Advent wreath encircles the Manduševac Fountain and a small ‘forest’ all covered in snow brings the real winter magic. Here you can taste the best mulled wine and sausages, and it is also the biggest open space in Zagreb to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Advent on Zrinjevac

Zrinjevac (photo credit: Zagreb Tourist Board)

Then we go to Zrinjevac where numerous small wooden cabins found their home for the season. This is also a bit more intimate option to drink your mulled wine, taste some authentic Zagreb specialties and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere of the surrounding park. Just like a gathering around a Christmas tree.

Ice Park

Ice park (Photo credit: Davor Rostuhar)

King Tomislav square (Tomislavac) will once again show the winter charm with its ice park! There will also be numerous cultural events and after the ice skating, you can strengthen yourself with delicious Christmas snacks and desserts.

Christmas Fair

Christmas Fair (Photo: S Kastelan/Zagreb Tourist Board)

In Bogovićeva street you can find not only wooden cabins where fritule and sweet almonds, and mulled wine, are being made, but also those that hide beautiful handmade souvenirs, scarfs, and gloves.

Check out everything taking place on the official website here.