Treat yourselves to Advent in Zagreb!

If you wish to treat yourself this December, why not treat yourself to Advent in Zagreb? From 1st December until after the New Year, the centre of Zagreb will offer a truly idyllic Christmas atmosphere. If you wish to be part of this magical fairy-tale, make sure to visit Zagreb and enjoy!

Over the last few years, the concept of Advent in Zagreb has surpassed the holiday season, making entire winters in the Croatian capital livelier and warmer than ever before, with entertainment found literally on every corner of most streets and squares across the city centre.

The numerous events organized every day in Zagreb during the Yuletide season will certainly contribute to the unique, Christmas fairy-tale like atmosphere on the city streets. Advent in Zagreb begins on 1st December, with the traditional lighting of the first Advent candle in the central city square of Ban Josip Jelačić. As of that date, numerous Christmas events will take place throughout the city, culminating with the big New Year's party.

Every day between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and on weekends between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the central city square of Ban Josip Jelačić will feature musical entertainment, as well as an ice-rink for all the citizens and tourists of Zagreb to enjoy with their families.

There will also be interesting happenings at nearby Zrinjevac Park, decorated in a fairy-tale, Christmas-like fashion. The gazebo located among old plane trees will serve as a dance floor where you will be able to dance the night away to the sounds of waltzes and other tunes, and the programme varies each night. It is also a place where one will have an opportunity to buy unique and interesting souvenirs and Christmas decorations, as well as enjoy somewhat forgotten specialties of Zagreb: pasta with sour cabbage, fried apples or baked štrukle, or warm up with hot chocolate or mulled wine.

The streets around the main city square will feature a traditional Advent Fair, where you will find Christmas presents galore, licitar and ginger bread cookies, colourful trinkets, Christmas decorations and souvenirs. All of the items on offer will be traditional Croatian products manufactured by the tradesmen of Zagreb.

Other locations across town will be somewhat different, but also very interesting. The British Square will feature fairs and flea markets - Vintage second hand, ski equipment and ski resort promotions, spectacles fair, Croatian designers, book fairs, rakija festivals, wine presentations... Apart from numerous concerts, there will also be an open air library, a cinema in the snow, performances by children's choirs...

Winter at Kvatrić is the title of the traditional events that take place during the winter period at Kvaternik Square, which every day includes a programme inside a large heated tent throughout the months of November, December and January.
Special events are organized during St. Martin's Day, St. Nicholas' Day and the New Year. The programme includes performances by numerous culture and art societies from Zagreb and its surroundings, other regions and counties of Croatia, as well as appearances by associations and tradesmen offering autochthonous products and souvenirs, and the organization of entertainment and educational programs.

Visitors will also find a merry atmosphere at Ban Josip Jelačić Square, where the hosts will be Slavonians, who are preparing a Slavonian Advent in Zagreb for all of the citizens and tourists in the city. This event will represent a synergy between catering service and an exhibition-sales fair organized by the veterans of the Homeland War, members of the Silos Association. The offer will include various foods and drinks at very affordable prices. The fair exhibitors are also the producers of the goods they will sell (Slavonian dry-cured meat products, honey and other bee products, cheeses, wine, rakija, olive oil and traditional jewellery).

Visitors can find events with a religious undertone at Kaptol, where the Cenacolo community will be performing a live nativity scene, a project which brings to life the event of Jesus' birth.

Apart from diverse programmes, which will take place on the squares and streets across the city, the Christmas atmosphere will be complemented by a museum and theatre programme, as well as concerts in Zagreb's churches, the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, as well as entertainment programmes at Arena Zagreb. The youngsters will enjoy riding a merry Christmas tram.

The upcoming Advent in Zagreb guarantees an abundance of happenings, so do something for yourself this December and treat yourself to Advent in Zagreb!

More information regarding the advent events in Zagreb can be found online at http://www.adventzagreb.com.