During Christmas and New Year in Croatia, the holiday season is marked by vibrant decorations and festive activities. Towns and cities across the country adorn their main squares with Christmas lights and large trees. Many places host Christmas fairs, featuring stalls that sell food, drinks, ornaments, and various small items. These fairs typically start in early December and run until early January.
In addition, ice rinks are set up in many larger towns and cities, offering skating opportunities for schoolchildren during weekdays and for everyone later in the day. Zagreb, in particular, is known for its extensive holiday celebrations, with numerous events held throughout the city. For more details, visit the Zagreb Advent website.
Zagreb has gained recognition for its Christmas Market, having been named the Best Christmas Market by European Best Destinations for three consecutive years (2016, 2017, and 2018).
Another notable attraction is the Salaj family's Christmas display in the village of Grabovnica, located east of Zagreb. Since 2002, the Salaj family has been decorating their property with an ever-growing number of lights, reaching 2.5 million lights for Christmas 2017.
Salajland is a popular Christmas attraction located on the Salaj family’s grounds outside Cazma, around 65 km east of Zagreb. This privately run display features thousands of lights and offers a truly spectacular experience.
New Year’s Eve in Croatia is marked by lively celebrations, with many cities hosting special events in their main squares or streets. These events often feature prominent performers and culminate in a countdown to midnight followed by a fireworks display. Such celebrations are free and attract large crowds. For example, around 70,000 people gathered in Split’s Riva to ring in the New Year in December 2010, according to the Dalmatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.
While Croatia’s tourism industry is growing, many hotels now offer year-round services or reopen for the Christmas and New Year period. It’s a good idea to check hotel websites for special offers and details on holiday festivities.
