Tis the season to be jolly and Advent in Zagreb is all about that! As you stroll through the city you’ll be delightfully overwhelmed by the scent of grilled sausages, hot jam donuts, traditional Croatian delicacies, plus hot chocolate, mulled wine and more. You’ll find that at most Advent locations you can pretty much eat, mingle, and buy authentic souvenirs. We’ve gathered here a variety of events designed to delight visitors of all generations throughout this year’s Advent season.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Advent on Zrinjevac: Sweet Zrinjevac
November 27  - January 7
Visitors are welcomed with handcrafted goods, traditional delicacies, and gifts, while everyone is invited to pause, enjoy the music, and remember why this is where Zagreb’s winter fairy tale began.

Europski trg: EU Advent
November 29 - January 7
The walkway of the square transforms into a mini promenade of wooden houses serving liquors, brandies, and other throat warming remedies amongst a rich offer of concerts and alternative urban attractions. Find all the details on their page.

Strossmayer Square: ´Fuliranje`
November 26  - January 7
This winter, Strossmayer Square introduces the theme ‘Nature and Society,’ offering a nostalgic return to childhood school days through creative installations and a playful Nature and History Trail that tells the story of Zagreb.

Cafe de Matoš
November 27  - January 7
Strosmayer Promenade
Get up to the Upper Town and Strossmayer promenade where you can discover age old Zagreb with charming coffee houses, street food, dancers, bands, comedians, and thrilling views overlooking the city amidst shiny lights and joyful music. Find all the details on their page.

Baš naš Advent
November 29  - January 7
Ban J.Jelačić Sqaure
With Christmas performances, musical shows, and stalls featuring local artisans on Zagreb’s main square everyone can enjoy, learn, and get creatively involved. This Advent, visitors can take part in workshops to make nutcrackers, Christmas wreaths, and creative eco-friendly projects.

Jinglingz
Kvaternik Square
From lively music to festive food, drinks, and creative workshops, there’s a variety of experiences for visitors to enjoy the holidays to the fullest.

Ice Park
King Tomislav Square 
Savor seasonal treats from Advent stalls, join lively après-skate gatherings, and bring home a ceramic mug, all while experiencing the winter skating tradition at King Tomislav Square that began in 1874. Today, Ice Park features Croatia’s largest and most modern rink, complete with a spacious ice surface and sparkling scenery for skaters of every age.
The season opens on November 29 in a spectacular way – with a ballet fairy tale on ice, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Encores will be held on November 30, and on December 8, 15, and 22.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Gornji Grad (Upper Town): Advent under the Lantern Light
December 3 - 19, Lotrščak Tower
The street lights of the Upper Town of Zagreb are lit up by night using a classical old method by lamplighters. Through ‘Advent Under the Lantern,’ the Musica Nota Association revives the historic practices of gas-lamp lighting and carol singing in the Upper Town. The event offers warmth, joy, and a welcoming holiday atmosphere. Visitors are invited to accompany the lamplighter and singers each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday until Christmas Eve at 16:30.

Advent Concert program of the Zagreb Soloists
December 4, 6, 11, 20 at Zagreb City Museum
December 7, 14, 21 at Oktogon Passage
A one of a kind type concerts with the Zagreb Soloists resonating some amazing tunes from virtuoso waltzes to polkas, as well as some of the bets Croatian and international Christmas tunes that we have all known to love and share.

Advent Concert program of the Zagreb Chamber Orchestra
November 30, December 6, 13, 20 at Church of Saint Blaise, Prilaz Gjure Deželića 64

From the Christmas Balconies — To Zagreb
November 30, December 7, 14, 21 at 17:00, Cravaticum Balcony – The Tie Boutique Museum. Opatička 2
November 30, December 7,14 at 19:00, Tkalčićeva balcony, Tkalčićeva 33
December 21, Croatian National Theatre balcony, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15
The six-member Ad Gloriam Brass ensemble performs from Zagreb’s most picturesque balconies, filling the city with classical, film, and Christmas arrangements that evoke a warm, European holiday charm.

Zagreb Advent Postcards
December 5 at 17:30 ZKM, at 18:15 Oktogon Passage
December 6 at 16:15 Masarykova, at 17:00 Oktogon
December 10 at 17:30 Masarykova, at 18:15 Oktogon
December 12 at 17:30 Oktogon Passage, at 18:15 ZKM
December 13 at 16:15 ZKM, at 17:00 Oktogon Passage
December 17 at 17:30 Oktogon Passage, at 18:15 ZKM
December 19 at 16:15 ZKM, at 17:00 Oktogon Passage
December 20 at 17:30 Oktogon Passage, at 18:15 Masarykova
The Vox Quartet delivers the spirit of Advent straight to the streets with short, unexpected concerts. Stopping at bustling spots like Oktogon, Masaryk Street, and ZKM, they perform the most beautiful Advent tunes from Croatian and international repertoire. A delightful gift for every passerby!


LADO do tradition better than most, and the ensemble’s Christmas carol show is a journey into heritage and harmonies. Head to the Parish of St. Nicholas the Bishop, Medpotoki 1 (Stenjevac) on December 18 and to Church of Saint Anthony of Padua on December 20 for the magic.

CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN

Advent at Mala Scena Theatre: Save Santa with Iva at Mala Scena
November 29  - December 21
Mala Scena Theatre, Medveščak ulica 2.
At Mala Scena Theatre, children and families can follow Iva and her grandmother on a charming holiday quest to rescue Santa from an evil witch. It’s a warm, gentle story about family bonds, playfulness, and the spirit of Christmas, brought to life through music, laughter, and theatre magic. 

Santa’s Carriage Ride in Zrinjevac Park
Children can enjoy a magical carriage ride with Santa through Zrinjevac Park, available daily from 6 to 8 PM, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Miracle musical
Maksimir Cultural Centre, Švarcova 18
“Christmas Miracle” is a professional children’s musical that celebrates dreams, friendship, love, and the magic of the holiday season through music, dance, theatre, and vibrant storytelling. Created by renowned Croatian artist Kim Verson and directed by internationally trained Tihana Strmečki, the show offers an interactive, heart-warming experience for families, with multiple performances throughout December at the Maksimir Cultural Centre.

Christmas Story
December 16, Lauba
Joining the outstanding soloists and the HRT Choir in the traditional Sfumato Christmas concert are members of the HRT Children’s Choir and, this time, the HRT Tamburitza Orchestra led by Maestro Matija Fortuna, performing Rudolf Matz’s touching Christmas Tale—a simple, folk-inspired one-act musical set in a small village, celebrating poverty and miracles, family and love, and the universal values of forgiveness, togetherness, spiritual giving, joy and hope, first premiered in Zagreb in 1937.
 

JUST FUN

Phillip Lassiter
Lovers of all things jazz should make a beeline for the Zagreb Jazz Festival’s climax, featuring the incomparable Philip Lassiter on December 16 at Tvornica kulture.

Mayales Holidays Special @Katran
December 26, Katran
Following their sold-out show in Peti Kupe, Mayales are keeping their promise with a special holiday concert, the Katran Holiday Special, giving fans who missed out on their Tour de Pop comeback another chance to dance to the band’s greatest hits, take part in a festive raffle and enjoy a series of surprises, all fueled by a special holiday set and supported by partners Katran Zagreb, where the event will take place, Garden Brewery, supplying the bar, and Durance, providing gifts under the Christmas tree.

The Philharmonic Ball on December 30 in the magnificent Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall is the perfect way to bring the year to a close.

Advent at The Zagreb City Museum
Advent at the Museum of the City of Zagreb offers a rich holiday program — from nativity exhibitions and concerts to themed tours and creative workshops for all ages. From December through early January explore paper cribs, make Christmas wreaths, enjoy live music, and dive into the festive spirit of Zagreb’s past.

Magic of Advent in Natural History Museum
Experience the magic of Advent at the Croatian Natural History Museum with interactive workshops, science shows, and live classical concerts blending art, education, and holiday spirit. From children’s detective activities to astronomy lectures and music in historic halls, this event brings a festive and curious journey for all ages.

A Christmas Story at the Ethnographic Museum
Visitors can create Christmas wreaths, craft gifts, and prepare holiday treats with TikToker Igor Jadan, while also enjoying concerts and performances by Teatar PocoLoco. The museum invites everyone to experience the warm festive atmosphere with the tale of The Nutcracker and the charming play What Ants Know About Love.

SHOPPING

If you are looking for a great place to pick up unique souvenirs and gifts from fabulously creative local artists, check out these:

Hush Hush Market December 13,14 at Contemporary Art Museum
Stolnjak, December 6 at Figa Garden
Christmas Pop Up at Botaničar bar, December 6, Marka Marulića 6
Restyloh Market December 6 at Fooling Around, Esplanade Hotel, Vodnikova
Design Market @Tkalča Fest December 6,13,20, Tkalčićeva
Bazaar, December 7 at Tvornica Kulture
Centar KNAP December 18, Ivanićgradska 41a
Arts&Crafts XMas Market, December 19 -21, The Garden Brewery
Projekt Ilica, December 21, Ilica

Art Zagreb is an annual event that brings together the best galleries and artists in Croatia, offering a unique showcase of contemporary art and a vibrant meeting point for art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals. December 11 - 14, Oktogon Passage, National Museum of Modern Art.

For the 18th time, the Zagreb International Record Fair will attract music lovers of all shapes and sizes, searching through more than 30,000 new and used records. December 14 is the date to remember and the location is Zagreb Classical Gymnasium.
 

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS

New Year’s Eve Gala 2026 at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb - Tickets
The traditional New Year’s Eve celebration at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb returns in one of its most lavish editions, beginning with Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus directed by Krešimir Dolenčić, followed by a gala dinner in the foyer with carefully curated festive courses and a rich selection of Croatian wines, live performances by Irma Dragičević and her band as well as Leon Košavić, who also appears in the operetta as Dr. Falke, and culminating after midnight with the unforgettable experience of dancing on the HNK stage, exclusively for 100 guests.

Club Parties
Future Scope NYE - Alexander Kowalski and Christian Craken, Boogalo Club - tickets
Di ćeš za Novu? 2026. - DJ's Sin, Kiki B, Indy and Ile Sosa, Tvornica kulture - tickets