Across Croatia, main towns and cities are staging their Advent fairs in the run-up to Christmas. While Zagreb has the biggest, transforming the entire city centre, Dubrovnik livens up localities from Lazareti to Lapad with its Winter Festival. A pop-up Kolenda bus is also running through town to bring song and Christmas cheer to all.
In the Old Town, the main stage on Stradun hosts shows including a New Year’s Eve party led by pop singer Petar Grašo, rock musician Neno Belan on December 10 and tonight, December 6, singer-songwriter Doris Dragović. The traditional performance by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra is a must at noon on New Year’s Day.
Over at the TUP factory complex opposite the main harbour in Gruž, a more alternative approach to Advent takes the shape of communal workshops for kids and grown-ups, a food market and appearances by less mainstream artists.
Kids will love discovering the North Pole at Lazareti, as well as riding the Advent train as it chuffs along Lapad Bay, where an ice rink has also been set up.
For more information, see the Dubrovnik Winter Festival website.