Magical Christmas Markets In Zagreb: Zagreb Advent Guide 2024

If you plan to visit Zagreb over the holiday vacation, you must see all of the Christmas Markets in Zagreb and check out all the fantastic activities that the Zagreb Advent offers!

While people often think about those 3 cities for Christmas destinations in Europe: the Vienna Christmas Market in Austria, the Strasbourg Christmas in France or the Nuremberg Christmas Market in Germany, Zagreb is one of the best Christmas destinations that shouldn’t be overlooked.

This year the Zagreb Advent will be held between the 30th of November 2024 to the 7th of January 2025.

Christmas Markets In Zagreb: Zagreb Advent Guide 2024-2025

I have spent 2 Advent in Zagreb and had a fantastic time both times! Advent in Zagreb is quite a popular event in the city.

Zagreb is renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets during Advent, and there are several must-visit locations throughout the city. There is not one Zagreb Christmas Market I didn’t enjoy!

Make sure also to check out all the top things to do in Zagreb for a fantastic visit!

Best Zagreb Advent Christmas Markets

Ban Jelačić Square Christmas Market & Manduševac Fountain

This is Zagreb’s main and most central Christmas market at Ban Jelačić Square.

It features a giant Christmas tree, festive decorations, and numerous stalls offering handmade crafts, gifts, and traditional Croatian food.

Situated near Ban Jelačić Square, the Mandusevac Fountain is known for its beautiful light displays and charming atmosphere. You can find a variety of holiday goods and enjoy the festive ambience.

Fuliranje on Strossmayer Square

Fuliranje is a food and drinks festival on Strossmayer Square during Advent. It offers a gourmet experience with various international and Croatian dishes and a selection of wines and craft beers.

European Square (Europski trg) Christmas Market

This square hosts a Christmas market with a European flair. You can find stalls representing different European countries, each offering unique products and specialities. It’s a great place to experience the diversity of European holiday traditions.

Zrinjevac Park Christmas Market

Zrinjevac Park is beautifully decorated during Advent, and its Christmas market is known for its relaxed and cosy atmosphere. The park is adorned with lights, and you can explore stalls offering crafts, gifts, and festive treats.

King Tomislav Square Christmas Market

Located near the central station, King Tomislav Square hosts a Christmas market with a skating rink. The picturesque setting and the holiday decorations make it a lovely place to visit during Advent.

Advent in Opatovina

Opatovina is a historic area that transforms into a festive market during Advent. It has a more traditional feel, with wooden stalls selling handmade crafts, local products, and delicious holiday treats.

Advent in the Tunnel

This might be the last place you’d think of for a Christmas market, but the Grič Tunnel in the Upper Town is transformed into a unique Christmas market.

It features various stalls, live music performances, and a festive atmosphere within the tunnel’s historic setting.

That’s a wrap on all the Christmas markets in Zagreb you must check out!

Best Zagreb Advent Things To Do

Now that we have covered the best Christmas markets in Zagreb let’s cover the rest of the activities you can find scattered throughout the city.

Zagreb comes alive with a festive atmosphere during Advent. The city centre is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, ornaments, and festive displays.

Advent in Zagreb is family-friendly, with activities and attractions catering to all ages. Children can enjoy rides, games, and meeting Santa Claus in designated areas.

• Ice Park: Advent in Zagreb features an Ice Park where you can enjoy ice skating in the city’s heart. It’s a popular activity for locals and visitors, creating a joyful and wintery atmosphere.
  Ice Skating in Zagreb is an entertaining activity!

• Food and Drink: Indulge in traditional Croatian holiday treats and warm up with mulled wine or other festive drinks at the Christmas markets. Local specialities like fritule (small doughnuts, delicious with Nutella!) and roasted chestnuts are particularly popular.

• Entertainment: Advent in Zagreb offers a rich entertainment program, including concerts, live performances, and cultural events. Various stages around the city host musicians, choirs, and performers, adding to the festive spirit.

• Street Performances: Enjoy street performances, live music, and cultural events throughout the city. The streets are often filled with entertainment, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere.

• Decorations and Lights: The city is adorned with beautiful decorations and sparkling lights. Landmarks, streets, and squares are transformed into a winter wonderland, creating a picturesque setting.

Here is a list of places you have to check out for good Christmas lights and decorations in Zagreb:
– Saint Mark Square
– Park Bele IV
– Oktogon Passage way
– Zrinjevac Park
– Jagerhorn Cafe

• Christmas Nativity Scenes: Whether or not you’re religious, it’s always interesting to explore traditional Christmas nativity scenes displayed throughout the city, showcasing Croatia’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

• Get a photo of the Cathedral: each year, you can find a beautiful Christmas-decorated frame where you can take photos of the Zagreb cathedral; it’s a great photo spot!

That’s the end of this travel guide about all the Christmas markets in Zagreb and all you need to know about Advent in Zagreb. I hope you enjoyed this post about all the Zagreb Christmas Markets you can find during the holiday season.

Christmas in Zagreb was a big surprise for me; as I said at the beginning of this post, I had no idea that Zagreb was this big on Christmas, as when I think of Croatia, I think of summer and coastal cities. But I highly recommend planning a winter visit to experience Advent in Zagreb.

The Advent in Zagreb is excellent, and it’s one of the best European cities to visit for an unforgettable Christmas time.

Also, follow me on Instagram to check out my travel adventures around Europe and more lifestyle content @cpt_lyne!

Are you looking for more Christmas in Europe content? Check out these posts:

• Best Christmas Lights in Paris
• Visit Vienna in Winter for the Christmas Markets
• How To Spend Christmas Like A Local in Paris
• 10 Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in France

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Christmas Markets In Zagreb: Zagreb Advent Guide 2024

✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip

If you need help planning your next trip, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered! Here are my favourite websites and apps to plan a trip!

✈ How To Find Flights?

My favourite website for booking flights is Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
Google Flight is also a good help when it comes to comparing flights.

✈ Where To Book Accommodations?

The best sites to book accommodations are Booking.com or Expedia. They both allow you to collect points for a discount; it’s worth comparing the two as they often have different pricing for the same hotels.

Another perk of Booking.com and Expedia is that you can sometimes get bundle deals for flights and accommodations, which can help you save a lot of money.

✈ Best Sites To Book Activities

My go-to website when I need to book an activity is GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
I always check if the price is the same, though, as the whole point is for it to be easier but not more expensive.

You can also check out Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).

✈ Other helpful travel resources

– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them. It was a great help when we needed a place to keep our luggage safely while we left the city for a few days.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe. It is very reliant and easy to use.

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Disclaimer: This resources box contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you book anything through my links at no additional cost. These links help me support the blog and generate more content. Happy travels!