Zagreb Advent was named The Best Christmas Market in Europe for 3 years: 2016, 2017, and 2018 (the most number of awards one city can get). And after a couple of pandemic years is coming back bigger and better than ever. If you want to visit Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, now is the time. You will enter a city-wide experience that transforms the Croatian capital into a winter wonderland. The city is full of Christmas decorations, wooden huts, music, performances, and delicious gastronomic offer.
Zagreb Advent
The Zagreb Advent is a Christmas Market designed to spread the Christmas spirit onto the city streets. It usually begins on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent lighting the first candle on the Christmas wreath made around the Mandusevac fountain on the main city square. And it runs till the first week in January till the Three Kings Day holiday (January 6th). Several Christmas markets are located across the city on the squares and beautiful parks.
The city is safe to walk around; if you get tired you can get around by tram through the center. Also, you can take the old funicular from the Lower Town to the Upper Town.
The single-fare tram ticket cost from 4-10 kn depending on the duration of the ride (30-90 minutes). The better option is to buy Stored-value cards for 10kn and top up with the amount you choose. This card may be used to pay for transportation services provided for more than one person. And it is also possible to use it to pay for an all-day fare that costs 30 kn. You can buy tram tickets at the driver, as well as at Tisak kiosks. More details on ZET (Zagreb Electric Tramway) site: https://www.zet.hr/tickets-and-fares/fares/605
Zagreb Advent 2022. Locations
Advent In Lower Town – Donji Grad
1. Ban Jelačić Square
Advent season begins with the lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath around the Mandusevac Fountain. On Ban Jelačić Square there is also a tall Christmas tree decorated with different decorations every year.
2. European Square
Wooden Advent huts with hanging decorations and roofs covered with shining stars offer rich street food gastronomy. The scents in the air will lead you to taste some traditional Croatian dishes served as street food.
3. Zrinjevac Park
Park Zrinjevac decorated with fairy lights is a magical place for cozy get-togethers with mulled wine in front of the Music Pavilion. Concerts are being played in the evening. In the afternoon children can enjoy children's shows. Or take part in craft workshops while you try to find some Christmas presents sold at The Advent stalls.
4. Fooling Around At Strossmayer Square
The Strossmayer Square during Advent turns into a place where you can try the food of the most popular local food startups as well as young and already-established chefs.
5. Ice Park On King Tomislav Square
At King Tomislav Square in front of the historic facade of the Arts Pavilion is the Ice Park. It is an unforgettable experience! This is a place where ice skating is accompanied by joyous music and an attractive cultural program. Of course, it is also a place with various fast food and drinks for warming up and chilling with friends and family. Just like many generations have done throughout the history of Zagreb.
6. Winter Park In The Park Of Dr. Franjo Tuđman
Winter park is more like an amusement park with a brand new attraction this year. It is a giant Ferris wheel offering a view over the city. Besides, there is a leisure park with merry-go-rounds, an ice slide, many workshops, and a musical and theatrical program for children.
7. Winter Garden
At the Hilton Garden Inn, you will find Winter Garden. It is a winter oasis with lots of sparkles, fun, and good vibes. With delicious appetizers and hot drinks, a huge ice rink, many Christmas trees and decorations, DJ performances, bands, and singers.
8. The Oktogon Passage – Artistic Christmas Tree
The Oktogon is an urban passageway in central Zagreb built at the end of the 19th century. It is one of the hidden gems of the city. On the inside, there is an art installation in the shape of a Christmas tree. It consists of various traditional ornaments such as moss wreaths, branches, berries, inflated glass balloons, and cute candy cane decorations.
9. Fooling Around – Oleander Terrace Of The Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
The Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is a historic luxury hotel. On its Oleander Terrace, superb food and drinks are prepared from the seven restaurants and two bars. The musical and artistic program will include live concerts and DJ beats.
10. Stara Vlaška
Stara Vlaška is a new location of Advent Zagreb this year. The Christmas inspiration comes from one of the most famous personalities of Croatian literature August Šenoa. The writer set many of his novels in the very local streets and the buildings of the Upper and Lower Town.
11. Croatian National Theater
A neo-baroque Croatian National Theater is a drama, opera, and ballet house. This Advent decorated Theater with many light decorations. And traditionally the whole month they play the famous ballet „Nutcracker“. The tickets are sold out a month ago.
Advent In Upper Town – Gornji Grad
1. Grič Park
The Grič Park is decorated with many discreet light installations. The nocturnal music plays. It is an elegant setting inspired by the night and the stars…
2. Moon Garden In Bele IV Park
The Moon garden in Bela IV Park is amazing. It is the most romantic Advent place. Decorated with thousands of glistening lights.
Hundreds of stars are falling from the birch tree. There is the glowing moon and magical moonflowers.
3. Gradec Plateau
The Gradec Plateau is a place with decorated pine trees, lights, and lots of Christmas decorations. There are several photo/selfie spots at Gradec to take photos with the city in the background.
4. Strossmayer Promenade – East
The eastern side of the popular Stross is transformed into the Caffe de Matoš – a nostalgic street Advent of the 1950s. Besides retro decorations, vintage red huts are offering gastronomic delights. The spot at the end offers beautiful views of the city and the Zagreb Cathedral. It is the perfect photo location for a festive selfie!
5. Strossmayer Promenade – West
Along the west side of the Strossmayer Promenade are charming little wooden huts with hot and cold drinks and street food of traditional gastronomy. A place where you will see smiling faces dancing to the rhythms of music that plays on the stage or from a Christmas playlist.
Zagreb Advent 2022. Events
1. Advent In The Grič Tunnel
Walk into the Grič tunnel from the east entrance and you will enter the Polar Dream. An installation that creates the impression of walking through an ice cave.
2. Advent In Zagreb Zoo
The theme for this year's Advent in the Zoo is a fairy tale collection by Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić. Educators dressed up as the characters from these stories lead the children on a tour of the zoo and introduce them to the peculiar animal world.
3. Backo Mini Express – Train Museum
The Backo Mini Express at the Mini Train Museum shows in the form of miniatures the recognizable architecture and tourist attractions, the Sljeme ski resort covered with snow, the skiers and snowboarders, the ice rink at the King Tomislav Square place, and more.
From 27 November 2022 until 7 January 2023. Working hours: Monday–Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
4. Live Nativity Scene
A live Nativity scene conceived and performed by the Cenacolo Community for over twenty years. The shows take place from 17.12. at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Opatovina Park.
5. Zagreb Advent Run
A humanitarian race through the city streets for recreational and professional runners on 5 or 10 km. Start 11.12.2022. at 12.oo, The Westin Hotel.
6. Christmas Music
From the balconies, streets, and city squares you can hear the music. Advent performances are on every corner of Zagreb. From opening nights, and concerts of popular music to classical Christmas carols.
… and much more!!!
LukaJustic
Dec 14, 2022 at 12:54
Thanks for the great tips, was just about to visit Zagreb, I'll reference this during my visit!