As November fades into December, Zagreb begins to shimmer with a special kind of magic. From 29 November 2025 until 7 January 2026, the city blossoms into a festive wonderland. That’s when Advent Zagreb turns the capital into a cozy, glowing winter story — full of lights, music, sweet aromas, and youthful energy.
The starting moment of the season has become a beloved city ritual: on Ban Jelačić Square, the first Advent candle is lit at the Manduševac Fountain. That opening evening also welcomes the return of the Ice Park on King Tomislav Square, where an outdoor ice rink appears under festive lights. On the same night, the city’s historic lanes and green parks begin to glow, and the first notes of seasonal music drift through the air.
Walking through the city during Advent feels like stepping into a winter fairy tale. The scent of cinnamon and mulled wine mingles with the crisp evening air. Wooden stalls decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments offer everything, from warm drinks and traditional snacks, to handmade crafts and quirky souvenirs. The streets, usually filled with trams and everyday bustle, now echo with laughter, music, and soft footsteps on cobblestones.
Even though the festive atmosphere is magical, it’s not always gentle on the wallet. Over recent years, prices at Advent stalls have risen significantly. Classic treats like fritule, the fried doughnut-like delicacies which are perfect for cold winter nights, now cost around 5 €, and some of the more Instagram-famous “Dubai fritule” have surged to as much as 11 €. For a night outat Advent, simple hot snacks or grilled sausages often cost between 4 and 7.80 €.
Yet, despite higher prices, Advent remains popular, especially among young people and students seeking a break from their everyday routine. For many, the experience is worth it: lighting, skating, music, and friends. A cheap winter coffee or mulled wine can turn a regular evening into something special.
Advent Zagreb is more than festive lights and food stalls, it’s a cultural and social pulse flowing through the city for more than a month. More than just decorating the main square and parks, this year the spirit of Advent spreads across many different neighbourhoods. Old parts of the city, suburbs, and even smaller districts host their own markets and mini-events, making the holiday atmosphere more inclusive and reachable.
For students, Advent offers the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement: a chance to forget about school assignments for a while, to roam the city, meet friends, or create new memories. Skating under lights, warm snacks after classes, music echoing in historic courtyards; it’s the kind of winter break that stays in memory.
Of course, one must be a little wise. Skating rinks and festive concerts attract many people, so going early or on weekdays helps avoid crowds. Choosing simpler snacks or drinks instead of gourmet treats keeps the outing affordable;and dressing warmly, (jacket, scarf, gloves), makes everything more comfortable.
Above all, Advent Zagreb remains what it has always been: a time when the city becomes a shared space of warmth and wonder; when the usual pace of everyday life slows down, the lights go up, and even a simple walk through the city center can feel like a holiday.
So, if you wander in Zagreb this winter, perhaps after school or on a weekend evening, don’t miss the glow of lanterns, the echo of music, or the cozy warmth of a street-food stall. Advent Zagreb 2025 is here to welcome you: and it’s more than a market or festival. It’s a chance to share the city, feel the season, and create a winter story worth remembering.
