The festivities have begun - Visit Zagreb during Advent!

Experience Advent in Zagreb and become part of the Zagreb winter fairy tale, which the independent website European Best Destinations has included on its list of the most desirable Christmas happenings in Europe.

Advent in Zagreb has begun with the traditional lighting of the first Advent candle on the main square of Ban Josip Jelačić. The same evening, November 28^th, also saw the opening of the Ice Park, while the Christmas lights at Zrinjevac Park were turned on a little bit later. This officially marked the beginning of Zagreb’s winter fairy tale, which the independent website European Best Destinations has included on its list of the most desirable Christmas happenings in Europe.

Therefore, make sure to visit Advent in Zagreb and experience the unforgettable Christmas spirit, because many new programmes will be taking place at even more locations all over the city. The new programmes and the already existing, attractive happenings will offer something for every visitor. The main square of Ban Josip Jelačić will feature various programmes on a daily basis, while the beautiful Zrinjevac Park will be the venue for diverse music and dance events. The Octagon Passage will also feature music by Strauss, but there will be music coming from the balconies of Zagreb’s beautiful buildings as well. This year’s novelty is the “Advent Calendar” project, featuring an array of events which will bring life to the downtown courtyards and alleyways. This will include various daytime and night-time happenings, exhibitions, reading sessions, various workshops, lectures, performances, light installations and concerts. Between December 12^th and 24^th, the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery in the Upper Town will feature an antiques fair and an exhibition of old Christmas decorations and Advent cards titled “The Christmas of Old Zagreb”. Visitors will have the opportunity to blow their own traditional Christmas bauble, while the Gradec plateau will be the venue for Christmas ice sculpture exhibitions. If you have a sweet tooth, you will find plenty of reasons to visit the “Festival of Christmas Cakes and Cookies”, taking place between December 16^th   23^rd at the Karas Gallery on Praška Street. The sweet festival will feature interesting workshops and tastings, Christmas tea parties and many other events. An abundance of interesting happenings is in store at the European Square, including a diverse entertainment music programme, various exhibitions, a festival of short film, etc. There will also be a diverse offer of food and drinks, including presentations of traditional sweets prepared during the time of Advent. Those who decide to take the Advent tour of the city, in which they will become familiar with the old customs of Zagreb in a slightly different way, will have the opportunity to try their hand at Advent confectionery making.

This year, the always interesting program “Fuliranje”, traditionally taking place on Tomićeva Street, will expand onto Kurelčeva Street, and it will offer its signature design and relaxed atmosphere, while the best entertainment for kids is expected at the Ice Park. Like last year, the park has been set up by the Art Pavilion at the Square of King Tomislav.  Apart from an attractive ice skating rink, it also offers a variety of music and entertainment programs, as well as a selection of food and beverages. This, however, is not the end of the story of Advent in Zagreb, because there are plenty more events taking place, ranging from the Christmas Fair, the Live Nativity Scene, to the Artomat Fair of Unconventional Artefacts at the Home of Croatian Artists… It’s just up to you to visit and discover why Advent in Zagreb is so special. It must be said that the value of this event has been recognised  by Turkish Airlines, which offers the increasing numbers of foreign as well as domestic tourists up to 20 percent discounts for flights to Zagreb during the Advent period.

Detailed information with programmes and the entire offer can be found online at www.adventzagreb.com.

Zagreb in the running for the Best Christmas Market in Europe

Support Zagreb’s candidacy for the Best  Christmas Market in Europe  on the European Best Destinations site. A total of 20 European cities, including Zagreb, are in the running. The vote is open until December 10^th at http://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/christmas-markets/zagreb/.