Advent in Zagreb

A diverse cultural and entertainment program will once again be taking place as part of the traditional pre-holiday event: Advent in Zagreb. It begins on November 27th and continues until January 7th 2012, and it will take place on the main city square as well as other squares and streets throughout the city.

This year, during the time of the Advent, Zagreb will once again radiate with a special pre-holiday seasonal atmosphere. Numerous events will be taking place on the main city square as well as other squares and streets throughout the city. The traditional pre-holiday event, Advent in Zagreb, will begin on November 27th. Every day thereafter, beginning at 6 p.m. (and from 11 a.m. on weekends) citizens of Zagreb and their numerous guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a diverse cultural and artistic program. 

There will be something for everyone: from performances by children’s choirs, girl choirs and gospel choirs; to tamburica orchestras and concerts; as well as various other programs for all generations and tastes, including the announcement of Father Christmas and heaps of fun for all ages. Also, do not forget the Christmas fair, the merry Christmas tram for youngsters, as well as the attractive live nativity scene, which is performed annually by members of the Cenacolo Community in front of the Zagreb cathedral. The project is the result of work by members of the Cenacolo Community, in which the marginalized youth – nowadays active members of the community – have found their purpose in life, whilst also designing a great program for numerous tourists who regularly visit Zagreb during the time of the Advent. However, the story of the Advent in Zagreb does not end there, because there will be numerous other events in various other locations across town, including “Winter at Kvatrić” among others. The Kvaternik Square will also feature everyday programs throughout November, December and January, which are tied to St. Martin’s Day, St. Nicholas’ Day, the Advent, and the New Year.

Numerous tourists are also attracted by the “Christmas Story” in Čazma near Zagreb, on the Salaj family farm, where a special holiday atmosphere is provided by a property that is entirely decorated with hundreds of thousands of lamps, which makes the whole estate look like a fairytale dwelling. As of this year, there will also be some new programs, such as the “Advent at Zrinjevac” and at the Trg Žrtava Fašizma, while the Mimara Museum will be the venue for a Multimedia 3D Mapping projection on December 2nd. Therefore, every day between December 3rd 2011 and January 7th 2012, the stage of the old city pavilion in Zagreb’s most beautiful park, Zrinjevac, will be the venue for music performances: Christmas concerts, waltzes and handpicked music programs for ladies and gentlemen. All visitors at these music events will have the opportunity to enjoy the somewhat-forgotten specialties of Zagreb (such as pasta with cabbage, dressed apple strudel or baked Štrukli), warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine, or buy unique souvenirs and Christmas decorations for their loved ones. 

More information about the Advent in Zagreb, which will last until January 17th 2012, can be found online at  www.adventzagreb.com.