Advent Zagreb is truly under way. Crowds seeking the Christmas spirit now find themselves spoiled for choice of where to go and what to see. With such a sparkling range of options, Time Out Croatia has picked out five musts from this year’s festivities.
Don’t worry! Skating at the Ice Park on Trg Kralja Tomislava or grabbing some tasty seasonal street food on Zrinjevac are a given!
Advent under lamplight
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until Christmas Day, the Musica Nota Culture Association invites you to come along on a route through Zagreb to participate in the 160-year tradition of lighting gas lamps. Starting at 4.30pm on those listed days, participants will walk from the Lotrščak Tower, through Bela IV Park and ending at Grič Park, lighting gas lanterns while accompanied by vocal ensembles providing Christmas cheer and bringing light to the capital. This communal activity is perfect for all ages and a wonderful way of beating back the early winter nightfall.
Big Big Christmas
Running from December 9, Trg Petra Svačića becomes the place where proportions are all out of whack. Accompanied by festive music, visitors can walk through a park where familiar and tiny Christmas decorations and ornaments become larger than life. Take a break from the crowds and snap a few selfies beside outsized candy canes, baubles and snowflakes, a stone’s throw from the main square. This land of giants is open to the public from 4pm to midnight every day during Advent.
Moon Garden
At Zagreb’s Bela IV Park, located in the city’s Old Town, an utterly romantic experience awaits. Sit on the illuminated moon while gazing upon hundreds of little stars raining from the trees, basking in the magic of this serene scene. It’s also encouraged to make a wish – presumably to make the most of the magical atmosphere – so make it count!
Museum of Broken Relationships
One of Zagreb’s more interesting and off-beat museums is also getting in on the Christmas fun, with two remaining workshops available for those who like to get crafty. On December 10, participants will learn how to make Christmas decorations out of natural materials, while those with a sweet tooth can take part in decorating festive cookies on December 17. Get creative!
Polar Dream
Inspired by the Northern Lights, this captivating art installation in Grič Tunnel is unmissable. Draped cloth from the tall tunnel ceilings are illuminated in different colours, creating a dreamlike journey through an enchanting winter cavern. Visitors are given guidelines on how best to experience their ‘polar dream’, instructed to pause, look back and reflect on the small joys that punctuated the year just gone. The entrance is on Mesnička, and the one-way journey leads to Radićeva, meaning that visitors awaken from their walking slumber right back in the heart of festivities. The tunnel is open to the public from 9am to 10pm through Advent, operating until 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and from noon to 8pm on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
For more information and other attractions, see the English-friendly map here!