St. Mark's Church in the Upper Town
Last year's Zagreb Christmas Market was modest to say the least, and I must admit that many were disappointed along with me. One reason was because everyone was still a bit reserved because of Covid 19, but in my opinion there could have been more to see and do throughout Advent last year.
This is why we were so happy to hear Mayor Tomašević's announcement that the Zagreb Christmas Market is returning to its old ways this year! In fact, it could even be the most diverse yet with lots to offer!
This is why we were so happy to hear Mayor Tomašević's announcement that the Zagreb Christmas Market is returning to its old ways this year! In fact, it could even be the most diverse yet with lots to offer!
The market will go right through the city (from Črnomerac to Sesvete) and will fill Zagreb with the Christmas spirit, along with the scent of mulled wine through the streets, some bit sized fritters for something sweet.
Zagreb Christmas Market opens with the lighting of the first Advent candle on Ban Jelačić Square, near Manduševac, and lasts from November 26, 2022. until January 07, 2023.
As usual, a traditional Christmas fair will be held in the streets around Ban Josip Jelačić Square where many craftsmen will have different things to offer Christmas shoppers!
And let’s not forget about the big Christmas tree that will be decorated on the main square where seasonal concerts will be held on the stage nearby!
Before moving on to specific details, I have to say that the SKATING RINK will be back!! It will wind its way around King Tomislav Park as it’s done in previous years, and there will be music, hot chocolate, and a lovely vibe to the whole area in front of the main train station.
Ok, now onto details - locations and programs:
Zagreb Christmas Market opens with the lighting of the first Advent candle on Ban Jelačić Square, near Manduševac, and lasts from November 26, 2022. until January 07, 2023.
As usual, a traditional Christmas fair will be held in the streets around Ban Josip Jelačić Square where many craftsmen will have different things to offer Christmas shoppers!
And let’s not forget about the big Christmas tree that will be decorated on the main square where seasonal concerts will be held on the stage nearby!
Before moving on to specific details, I have to say that the SKATING RINK will be back!! It will wind its way around King Tomislav Park as it’s done in previous years, and there will be music, hot chocolate, and a lovely vibe to the whole area in front of the main train station.
Ok, now onto details - locations and programs:
20 arranged locations
The Ice Park - King Tomislav square
In total, Zagreb Christmas Market will include 20 locations, three of which are new - Franjo Tuđman Square, which will be focused on a program for children, Park Grič and Stara Vlaška, which became a pedestrian zone this past summer.
This year, you will be able to taste the Advent offer in Vlaška Street, on Franje Tuđman Square (Črnomerec), on Kvaternikov Square (Maksimir), on Krešimir Ćosić Square and Palinovečka Street (Trešnjevka), on Ivan Kukuljević Square (Stenjevec), in Vrapče Park, on Dragutin Domjanić Square and Ninska Street in Sesvete, on Peščenica, on Ivan Meštrović Square and Ana Rukavina Square in Novi Zagreb, near the new cable car in Podsljeme zone and in Brezovica near the playground.
A new location has also been determined for the live Christmas Nativity scenes. Since the cathedral is still under restoration, this favorite Christmas event will be held in neighbouring Opatovina.
This year, you will be able to taste the Advent offer in Vlaška Street, on Franje Tuđman Square (Črnomerec), on Kvaternikov Square (Maksimir), on Krešimir Ćosić Square and Palinovečka Street (Trešnjevka), on Ivan Kukuljević Square (Stenjevec), in Vrapče Park, on Dragutin Domjanić Square and Ninska Street in Sesvete, on Peščenica, on Ivan Meštrović Square and Ana Rukavina Square in Novi Zagreb, near the new cable car in Podsljeme zone and in Brezovica near the playground.
A new location has also been determined for the live Christmas Nativity scenes. Since the cathedral is still under restoration, this favorite Christmas event will be held in neighbouring Opatovina.
Upper Town
In the Upper town, the centre of events will be Plato Gradec and Strossmayer's promenade, which is divided into the western and eastern parts. St. Mark's Square, Bela IV Park will also be decorated, and as I already mentioned, in the new location - Park Grič.
This year, the Grič Tunnel will be redecorated in a “Polar Dream” theme, so we’re excited to see that! It’s expected to be something like going through an ice cave with clouds and the aurora borealis, so it should be beautiful to check out.
Another fun event worth highlighting in the Upper Town is a glass ball blowing workshop, which will be held in the Zagreb City Museum.
This year, the Grič Tunnel will be redecorated in a “Polar Dream” theme, so we’re excited to see that! It’s expected to be something like going through an ice cave with clouds and the aurora borealis, so it should be beautiful to check out.
Another fun event worth highlighting in the Upper Town is a glass ball blowing workshop, which will be held in the Zagreb City Museum.
Yummy selection of food
Lower Town
The main Advent locations in Lower Town are well known: Ban Jelačić Square, Zrinjevac, King Tomislav Square, Strossmayer Square and European Square. They will be joined this year by Franjo Tuđman Square, which will be geared towards children (I’m sure our kids are going to love it!).
We’re also happy to report that there will be a much bigger food stand offering and entertainment through Zrinjevac and King Tomislav Park, and then the very popular 'Fuliranje', which will be held at two locations this year, near the Esplanade Hotel and on Strossmayer Square.
Another thing to point out is that ZET's Merry Christmas Tram will run at the corner of Praška and Jelačić Square, where Santa and other holiday characters will be there to greet and interact with kids.
We’re also happy to report that there will be a much bigger food stand offering and entertainment through Zrinjevac and King Tomislav Park, and then the very popular 'Fuliranje', which will be held at two locations this year, near the Esplanade Hotel and on Strossmayer Square.
Another thing to point out is that ZET's Merry Christmas Tram will run at the corner of Praška and Jelačić Square, where Santa and other holiday characters will be there to greet and interact with kids.
Advent in the Zoo and Craftsmen Advent
Some kids might be excited to hear that there will be Santa’s cabin and workshop to make special decorations at the zoo this year!
The Advent of Zagreb Craftsmen will be held at its 'home' location again this year (Ilica 49 - it’s kind of like a courtyard), and people can expect to see workshops, choir performances and even children's plays.
According to the voters of the "European Best Destinations" portal, Zagreb’s Christmas Market was declared the best tourist destination for the Christmas holidays in Europe three times in a row in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
I hope that this year it will shine in full glory and compete with the best tourist destinations during the Christmas holidays!
The Advent of Zagreb Craftsmen will be held at its 'home' location again this year (Ilica 49 - it’s kind of like a courtyard), and people can expect to see workshops, choir performances and even children's plays.
According to the voters of the "European Best Destinations" portal, Zagreb’s Christmas Market was declared the best tourist destination for the Christmas holidays in Europe three times in a row in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
I hope that this year it will shine in full glory and compete with the best tourist destinations during the Christmas holidays!
