Croatia is a beautiful country to visit any time of year with its stunning coastline and rugged interior, historic cities and fairytale villages, rich in traditions and folklore. So just imagine how magical Croatia is each Christmas. There’s a host of colourful events and Christmas markets to choose from including Advent Zagreb and Dubrovnik Christmas Market.
Here are just a few of out favourites.
Advent Zagreb
above: © Susanna Valkeinen
Held throughout the city’s many squares, a series of seasonal events include children’s choirs, drama, dance and live music,including classical recitals brought to you from the city’s balconies, as well as bustling Christmas shops and fairs. You’ll also find an ice skating rink in the lovely setting of King Tomislav Square from the beginning of December to the middle of January. While on New Year’s Eve, Playground NY, bringing famous names from the world of electronic music, is guaranteed to be a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember. Then the whole event is repeated on New Year’s Day. For more information about this and the many festive celebrations held in this lovely city, please visit Advent Zagreb.
above: © Roman Avdagić, Foto-skrinja.hr
Christmas in Đakovo
With the smell of traditional Advent food and drink and the sound of Christmas carols filling the air, the picturesque town of Đakovo takes on a wonderfully festive atmosphere. For more information please visit Christmas in Đakovo.
above: © Croatian Tourist Board /Mario Romulić & Dražen Stojčić
Meet Santa in a Christmas Fairytale, Učka Nature Park
Bring your little ones to meet Santa in a snow-covered, fairytale setting of this stunning park and the Učka Mountain. Mulled wine and horse-drawn sleighs all add to the magical atmosphere of the beautiful Opatija Riviera. For more information, please visit Christmas fairy-tale in the Učka Nature Park.
Festival of Christmas Cakes and Cookies, Opatija
Delicious cakes and cookies are a prominent feature of Christmas in Croatia and this annual festival in their honour is held at the Open Air Summer Stage in Opatija. As well as plenty of freshly baked delicacies of the region, there will be workshops run by top pastry chefs so not only can you try some tasty treats, you can also learn how to make them. For more information about this and other events at Christmas in Opatija, please visit Opatija Tourism.
above: © Croatian Tourist Board / Damir Fabijanić
Dubrovnik Christmas Market
In December, Dubrovnik lights-up for Christmas. The Christmas Fair at Sponza Palace is guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit with carol singing, dancing and arts and craft stalls, as well as sweet local delicacies, including candied almonds, deep-fried biscuits and doughnuts. For more reasons to spend the festive season in Dubrovnik, please visit Dubrovnik.com.
RI Gastro, a Week of Cod and Chocolate in Rijeka
While not with a Christmas theme, this festival celebrates traditional Croatian cuisine, RI Gastro is another December event not to be missed. Throughout the week chefs will prepare authentic regional dishes at promotional prices for you to try on Rijeka’s Korzo and in the local restaurants. The perfect excuse to visit and enjoy some festive retail therapy in the lead-up to Christmas. For more information please visit RI Gastro.
above: © Miljenko Vrankovic
Christmas Markets across Europe
Check out these articles for more Christmas inspiration around Europe:
UK Christmas Markets
The Magic of Paris at Christmas, France
London’s Winter Wonderland, England
The magic of Brussels at Christmas, Belgium
Top 10 Things to do in London at Christmas, England
Winchester Christmas Market, England
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Main picture above: the illuminated fountain in Zrinjevac, Zagreb, Croatia
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I haven’t been to Croatia yet, and would really love to go. It looks so festive in your gorgeous photos, can’t believe that the Dubrovnik market goes on until the 1st February. I also like the sound of the fairytale setting of this stunning park and the Učka Mountain. Why can’t we have a special Santa that us “slightly” older people could visit?
Have to agree with your there Jackie 🙂
Look at those beautiful Christams lights! And the tree, they know how to make it precious in Croatia! Oh girl, thanks for sharing this with us 🙂
It seems we (those of us in the UK) have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to Christmas markets. It seems that the likes of Germany and Eastern Europe do them so much better, and Croatia sounds like no exception. The tree we have in town here is usually a little embarrassing in comparison… in fact, a few years ago ours was so bad it made the news, I’m ashamed to say! ( http://metro.co.uk/2010/11/19/is-this-the-shabbiest-christmas-tree-in-britain-kendal-tree-leaves-traders-cold-584787/ )
I’ve been to Christmas markets in Munich, Brugge and I’m heading to Amsterdam on Friday and hope they’ll be some there too. I didn’t think Croatia would be somewhere that had them too so I may have to add it to my list 😉