Christmas in Zagreb

Why spend your Christmas in Zagreb?
First, Croatia’s capital is a vibrant city with a rich culture and history worth visiting. And secondly, because it was named three times in the past five years as The Best European Christmas Market. We think this says it all.

Advent in Zagreb
27th November 2021 – 7th January 2022

Advent for Christmas in Zagreb is a spectacular city-wide experience transforming the capital into a winter wonderland. More than 25 individual Christmas Markets are in the city’s main squares and promenades, each with its unique theme and atmosphere, yet blending to give the feeling of one all-encompassing market. Charming stalls offer artisan products, handicrafts, hearty regional cuisine, and aromatic mulled wine. Glistening lights, colorful ornaments, and seasonal decorations complement daily open-air entertainment and cultural performances, imbuing the atmosphere with holiday magic.

Shopping, Cuisine & Merry-Making for Christmas in Zagreb

Shopping

Zagreb’s colorful market stalls present various goods, often connected to local traditions and culture. Items on offer include decorative ornaments, candles, ceramics, jewelry, woolen scarves and hats, an array of toys, and more. One popular souvenir from the north of Croatia, found year-round, is the hand-carved wooden toys from the Hrvatsko Zagorje region. This craft was developed in the 19th century by the villagers. Furthermore, the softwood toys include whistles, horses, roosters, birds, butterflies, cars, doll furniture, spinning dancers, and so on.

Eating

It is easy to eat well during Advent in Zagreb. Food stalls are plentiful and located throughout the city’s markets, offering various seasonal and year-round local and international delicacies. Regional favorites are

Klobasice (homemade pork sausages),
Sarma (cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat),
Štrukli (baked rolled pastry filled with cottage cheese and sour cream)
and Fritule (small fried balls of dough) can be found at multiple locations around the city’s numerous markets.

Numerous beverages, such as mulled wine and locally famous drink Rakija (a type of brandy), come in various flavors and are warm from the inside out.

Christmas markets are, above all, a place for spending quality time with family and friends. Therefore, in addition to shopping and dining, each year brings new ways to experience Advent in Zagreb with a program of concerts, activities, games, and entertainment. Yearly staples include the ever-popular open-air skating rink at King Tomislav Square, the live nativity scene in Kaptol outside the Zagreb Cathedral, and the imaginatively themed installations in the Grič Tunnel. Numerous stages throughout the city host live concerts, as do some of Zagreb’s most beautiful balconies. Even Zagreb’s public transportation gets a holiday makeover by introducing a family favorite, the Merry Christmas Tram, which runs along Praška Street, connecting Ban Jelačić Square to Zrinjevac and is driven by Father Christmas himself!

Christmas in Zagreb Gallery

The Conclusion Christmas in Zagreb

Perhaps the time has arrived to change the location of your preferred Christmas market vacation from traditional ones in Austria and Germany to other places, more on the east? So what’s your finest Xmas market in Europe?