More Advent and Christmas celebrations in Croatia 2024

I recently wrote about the fantastic Advent in Zagreb that will be kicking off this Saturday, 30th November in Croatia’s capital city. Many of the favourites of this largest of Christmas events will return this year, including the beautiful tree on Ban Jelacic Square, a great atmosphere and excellent food at Fuliranje, multiple concerts and live music, special events at museums and ice skating at Ledeni Park. But let’s take a look at some of the other Christmas celebrations in Croatia being held this 2024 festive season for there are many!

Many of these Christmas events feature very similar elements – all will have regular live music sessions, plus food stalls telling typical Christmas and winter fare (think fritule – doughnuts – mulled wine and hot drinks, and bakalar – cod – in Dalmatia). New Year’s Eve is always a big event, with a free concert to see in the New Year that will normally be accompanied by fireworks!

If you’re visiting a location not mentioned here, you won’t be missing out. Just ask locally for even small towns really get into the festive spirit with Christmas food, drink, music and good cheer. (And beautiful decorations!)

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Istria

Advent Porec will largely centre around the main Matija Gupca Square. It is here the Advent will open at 4.30pm on Friday 6th December with the lighting of the first advent candle and the arrival of St Nicholas and Krampus, the two figures who will either reward good children or “punish” naughty ones! The square then hosts many events over the course of Advent Porec, from concerts to children’s plays, photo opportunities with Santa and of course the New Year’s Eve concert. Advent Porec will also offer an ice skating rink that is free for the duration of the event.

Advent in Pula opens this Sunday, 1st December, running until 6th January. A highlight will surely be the Arena being covered in 1,200 square metres of snow (yes, really!), decorated with Christmas trees and pumped with mist and illuminated. This very festive setting will be the setting for Pula’s 600-square-metre winter ice rink. (Wow!) Another highlight is the merry train that will operate from 21st to 30th December. The start and end point of the train’s journey will be The Arena, and it will embark on a marvellous 30-minute journey through the streets of Pula to take in all the festive cheer. Of course, there will be a full musical programme as well as multiple fun events for kids. Watch out for a multitude of skydiving Santas landing at Uljanik Stadium on 16th December between 10am and 11am! (And handing out sweets!)

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Kvarner Region

If you like your winter fun all sparkly and twinkly, you must head to Opatija Advent. On from 29th November to 6th January, this event was placed on European Best Destinations‘ list of the “Best Christmas Lights in Europe”. Multiple locations of the town will be festooned with hundreds of lights – if you like to see a preview, take a look at this Advent Virtual Walk. Head to the famous lungomare seaside promenade which will be turned into a “Xmas Street”, or the Hotel Imperial for food kiosks selling tasty treats. The Amadria Park Opatija Hotel will also be offering festive food fun, such as Breakfast with Santa on 5th December! Finally, be sure to swing by beautiful Angiolina Park for all sorts of live performances.

Advent in Rijeka (30th November to 7th January) will be filled with gastro offerings and a Christmas market on the prettily decorated pedestrianised thoroughfare, the Korzo. An absolute must is visiting Advent on Gradina (3rd December to 6th January) at a Christmas light-adorned Trsat Castle which itself hosts live music, kids’ activities, food booths and a nativity scene.

Adent on Gradina in Trsat Castle, above Rijeka (*Credit: Rijeka Tourist Board*)

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – North Dalmatia

Would you believe – there’s one Christmas festival that is already under the way in Croatia! The Zadar Advent & Christmas Market actually opened this past Sunday 24th November (it will run until 2nd January). The central part of it is indeed the Christmas market on Petar Zoranic Square – come here to indulge in fritule (mini doughnuts), mulled wine and more and enjoy numerous concerts, sometimes several in one day. Head to Five Wells Square on the morning of 24th December to catch the arrival of Santa Claus!

Adventura Sibenik is one of the loveliest Christmas festivals in Dalmatia; this year it will be on from 6th December to 4th January. A whole heap of live music events will feature including two New Year’s Eve concerts – one in front of the cathedral (featuring singer Mario Biondi), and one in the park (with Dubrovnik band Silente and local faves BluVinil). There will also be a Christmas Fair with plenty of delicious food, ice skating and more. Adventura Sibenik is also the only plastic-free Advent in Croatia!

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Split

This year’s Advent in Split (30th November to 6th January) will have the rather sweet tagline “to you and yours”. Befitting Croatia’s second-largest city, this is a very big event – live concerts in multiple locations (on the Riva, on Pjaca Square and more); kids’ activities including crafting and workshops; a Christmas bus; full-on festive decorations on the Riva, in Dioceletian’s Palace cellars, and on the Peristyle; and much, much more.

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Dubrovnik

The Dubrovnik Winter Festival is a large-scale event that is now in its 11th year. It will kick off on 30th November and run until the 6th January. You can enjoy Santa at the Rector’s Palace; a retro fair; “Days of Codfish” and of course New Year’s Eve celebrations on Stradun. And much more, of course!

A highlight for visitors will be the free sightseeing tours in English at 9.30am every Saturday morning. Meet outside Pile Gate Tourist Office to join a tour of the Old Town and finish it at St Blaise’s Church where there will be a free folk performance at 11.30am. (Tours conducted in Croatian take place at 12.30pm.)

Dubrovnik Winter Festival - Christnas celebrations in Croatia — Christmas on Stadun (*Credit: Dubrovnik Winter Festival*)

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Northern Croatia

Advent in Varazdin starts on 29th November (to 6th January) – it’s where you need to head to visit “the most beautiful advent in Croatia”! Santa has his own city here which is a real highlight – board the elevator to head directly up to Santa’s house! If he’s temporarily not in when you visit, snap some festive shots and enjoy a sweet treat instead. Be sure to make time for the panoramic Advent Ferris wheel that’s open daily, a true festive treat and a great way of seeing Varazdin from above. Enjoy live music and excellent food on the Korzo – where the Advent wreath in front of the Cathedral will be lit every Saturday.

Christmas celebrations in Croatia - Varazdin (Credit: Adent Varazdin( — The Ferris Wheel in Varazdin (*Credit: Adent Varazdin*)

ll-on festive decorations on the Riva, in Dioceletian’s Palace cellars, and on the Peristyle; and much, much more.

Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Eastern Croatia

Advent in Osijek will take place from 30th November to 31st December and will be full of “good wishes from Osijek”. Join Santa at the Archaeological Museum or pop along to the fun fair in King Drzislav Park. Ride the fun-filled Christmas tram and have a skate at the rink!