Zagreb Events & Culture Winter

INTRO duc TION

what’s not to love about ad vent in zagreb? From outdoor christmas markets and charm ing chalets to an ice-skating fairy tale on King tomislav square, located next to a beau tifully lit art Pavilion, there are myriads of magical things to do in zagreb this advent season. add to that a string of cultural and music events plus a great excuse to eat festive food and drink mulled wine, and you’re onto a winner. Find out what to see and do this year as christ mas trees, festive decorations and christmas lights pop up again across the city.

advent zagreb is the time when everyone forgets that winter can be dark and gloomy and decides to roll with the festive flow. Enjoy the twinkliest sea son of the year in the croatian capital. there are more exciting festive events than you could possibly imagine - exhibitions, concerts, parties, glittering outdoor events; you name it, you’ll find it.

‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas  Let your heart be light  From now on, all our troubles will be out of sight…’

Warm up with Sinatra’s Jolly Christmas Album, ‘get your faithful friends’, leave your worries behind, and enjoy the magic of advent zagreb.

Martina bienenfeld, Ph.D. ceO zagreb tourist board

ZTB Archives, Photo by Julien Duval

this year’s advent season brings back christmas decorations, charming wooden chalets, festive tunes and special shows, all accompanied by mulled wine, delicious street food and lots of smiling faces defying the winter chill. the entire city becomes a huge stage with various christ mas festivities and fun-packed advent locations. advent zagreb represents the true christmas spirit, a leisurely walk with loved ones and friends, a feeling of inner warmth despite the outside cold, the joy of giving and faith in a better tomorrow. to top it all off, don’t miss out on the ice Park next to the art Pavilion, which reopens this advent season for unforget table ice-skating experiences!

For more information and a detailed advent program, please check adventzagreb.hr

almost every square in the city centre tells its own christmas story. visit the fun-packed ice Park on tomislav square, stroll through romantic zrinje vac Park with thousands of flickering lights high up in the trees, ‘fool around’ stross mayer square with dozens of food stalls, stop at ban Jelačić square to admire the beau tifully decorated christmas tree before climbing up to the Old Town to check out on Baš naš festival on gradec plateau or caffe de Matoš along the trossmayer Promenade. Finish your advent walk by visiting Franjo tuđman square and riding on a Ferris wheel with one of the best views over the festivities in Zagreb!

MuSIc IN THE TIME OF AdVENT

Music is what enhances the true spirit and atmosphere of christmas. zagreb squares and parks, concert halls and theatres, museums and churches, balconies and cafes will resonate with fes tive tunes and joyous sounds. You will experience classical music per formances, chamber Orchestra, zagreb soloists, pop-up concerts, melodies from balconies, and christmas magic with lamplight ers and singers under the Old town lanterns. these are just some of the events that zagreb Advent has on offer.

who gets more excited about christmas than the little ones? there are so many ways you can make advent meaningful and joyous for kids. wrap up warmly and have some festive family fun this christmas. ‘a snow Fairy tale’ at Mala scena theatre and an enchanting advent program at zagreb zoo are not to be missed. Don’t forget to peek into the Museum of chocolate and stroll past the cathedral to watch the live nativity scene. children will also be thrilled with backo Mini express train Museum and some great old kids’ movies that will be shown at Craft Advent.

AdVENT FOR cHILdREN

cuLTuRE IN THE TIME OF AdVENT

advent is when the city is brought back to life through music and fun and the cultural events and exhibitions that are plentiful at this time of the year. the ethnographic Museum, Museum of chocolate, vidra theatre, Museum of broken relationships, zagreb city Museum, Dagmar Meneghello collection at Krležin Gvozd, and lisinski concert Hall are just some of the locations with great advent cultural programs. check out our top tips for everyone who wants to be en riched by cultural experiences this christmas.

OTHER EVENTS

there are many hidden places in zagreb which don christmas attire and glow up for the festive season. the oldest zoo in the region will present fantastic char acters and creatures from famous fairy tales by Ivana Brilić -Mažuranić, arguably the most influential Croatian children’s author. the main artery of streets in the centre will be converted into an exciting Project ilica: Q’art, uniting various zagreb associ ations through big Dar Mar Festival celebrations. the most colourful festive race, advent run, is planned for 11 December, so get your sneakers ready!

zagreb events

HOTELS IN THE TIME OF AdVENT

the most magical time of year attracts numerous visitors to the croatian capital. whether booking an overnight/weekend stay or just stopping to admire the hotel lobbies, you don’t want to miss zagreb’s best christmas hotels. elaborate christmas displays in shop win dows around the city may get all the attention in December, but zagreb hotels go all out to display their holiday decor, too. visit the advent festival in the passage of the Jägerhorn hotel, the oldest hotel in zagreb, and check out the festive atmos phere on an ice-skating rink of the Hilton garden inn with DJs, bands and singers.

enjoy zagreb streets and shops glittering with christmas décor, beautiful historical buildings high lighted with special visual effects, and a magical atmosphere in parks where all the trees are decorated with ornaments and lanterns. this is what zagreb’s advent attire is all about. immerse yourselves in the Moon garden, the most romantic upper town advent story, catch a glimpse of the art installation inside the Oktogon Passage and discover a hidden fairy-tale in the grič tunnel.

ZAGREB’S AdVENT ATTIRE

Exhibition ‘Đuro Đaković – Portraits of Labour’ 4/11/2022 .. 31/1/2023

Technical Museum Nikola Tesla,  Savska cesta 18 www.tmnt.hr

this pictorial exhibition shows labour processes at the ‘Đuro Đaković’ factory in Slavonski Brod through photographs from the brod Posavlje Museum’s collec tion. the photos were taken in the factory facilities for the purpose of promoting the factory during the socialist period. Portraits of female workers depict the time’s emancipation process, by the in clusion of women in a traditionally male work environment.

Sean Scully: The Passenger –A Retrospective exhibition

16/11/2022 .. 12/3/2023

Museum of Contemporary Art,  Avenija dubrovnik 17 www.msu.hr

The Passenger, the large retro spective exhibition of sean scully, presents sixty-four pieces by one of the leading, and exceptionally successful american abstract art ists of his generation. canvases, works on paper, photographs, and sculptures depict an extremely valuable cross-section of the painter’s work over the past 50 years.

Jakov Gotovac: Ero the Joker 1/12

croatian National Theatre Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 www.hnk.hr

Jakov gotovac’s most successful work, the opera Ero the Joker, has been considered one of the best slavic comic pieces of its kind of all times. since its premiere in the croatian national theatre in 1935, Ero has been considered a symbol of croatian opera, for bringing the songs and dances of croatia to the world, through its impeccably intertwined lyrics and music.

TMNT Archives, Photo by Milan Pavić

Croatian National Theater Archives

Sean Scully standing in front of What Makes Us Too, 2017, in oil on aluminum.

Photo by Michael Mundy

Rambo Amadeus 2/12

Tvornica kulture (Culture Factory), Šubićeva 2 www.facebook.com/tvornicakulture

accompanied by his virtuoso orchestra, ‘Five winnetous’, rambo amadeus is returning to zagreb with his satirical lyrics combining jazz, rock, hip-hop and other musical styles. A self-titled ‘musician, poet, and media manipulator’, rambo amadeus is considered one of the most unique artistes, across the length and breadth of the countries that made up Yugo slavia.

croatian National Theatre, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 www.hnk.hr

The Nutcracker, a fairy tale ballet, has been an integral part of the christmas magic in many parts of the globe. One of the most beau tiful pieces of classical ballet art, leads its fans through the christ mas world of joy, colour and imag ination. it follows the adventures of a little girl, Klara, who receives an unusual gift from her uncle on christmas eve, a nutcracker in the form of a wooden doll.

Milky chance 4/12

Tvornica kulture (Culture Factory), Šubićeva 2 www.facebook.com/tvornicakulture

These Indie-pop sensations are once again preparing to delight audiences in zagreb, as part of their European tour. Milky chance, a german duo, consisting of clemens rehbein, singer and guitarist, and DJ and producer, Philipp Dausch, became a global pop phenomenon back in 2013. they are recognisable by their infectious melodies and a sound that mixes influences from elec tronic music, reggae and R&B.

Rambo Amadeus, Photo by Marko Pigac

Croatian National Theater Archives

Milky Chance, Photo by Jeff Hahn, Universal Music

Advent Run 11/12

www.zagrebadventrun.hr

the happiest and most colourful race in croatia is returning to zagreb. numerous recreational and professional runners, many of them dressed in festive costumes, will congregate in the centre of the croatian capital. race starts at 12 o’clock in front of the hotel westin and all the funds from this year’s race will be donated to the humanitarian and non-profit association of doctors, health staff and parents of children with con genital heart defects and other heart diseases.

.. 11/12

Human Rights Film Festival 4/12

EVENTS

cinema Tuškanac, cinema Kinoteka, dokukino KIc, Močvara www.humanrightsfestival.org

the 20th edition of this festival once again focuses on human rights topics and documentary films that promote openness, multiculturalism, tolerance and freedom of speech. the festival will show 25 films, all recent feature and documentary film productions, including winners of world-relevant festivals as well as films by local and region al filmmakers.

HRFF Archives, Sparta, Photo by Ulrich Seidl

ZTB Archives, Photo by Marija Gašparović

The Beauty and the Beast, musical 2/12 .. 20/12/2022 8/1 .. 15/1/2023

Trg Stjepana Radića 4 www.lisinski.hr

The beloved musical, Beauty and the beast, which premiered on broadway in 1994, has been brought to life on stage as never before! twenty-eight years after its broadway debut, based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name, members of the original creative team have reunited to create a brand new production. let the fairy tale begin!

Nam June Paik in the Groove 13/12 .. 28/2/2023

Museum of contemporary Art, Avenija dubrovnik 17 www.msu.hr

nam June Paik has continued to electrify the art world ever since his 1963 television debut experiment in Exposition of Music – Electronic Television. Playful and interactive, Paik’s immersive environment expanded the boundaries of art, music and tech nology and laid the groundwork for an incredible career as a video art visionary.

daniel Sloss - cAN’T

12/12

Vatroslav Lisinski concert Hall

Komedija Theater, Photo by Ines Novković

Daniel sloss has sold out seven new York off-broadway seasons, broken edinburgh Festival Fringe box office records and toured in 53 countries thus far. this is the second time a famous comedian is coming to croatia, now pre senting his new show, Can’t. the special guest is Kai Humphries.

Vatroslav Lisinski concert Hall, Trg Stjepana Radića 4 www.lisinski.hr

Photo by Profimedia

MSU Archives, Nam June Paik in the Groove

christmas concert by LAdO National Folk dance Ensemble

20/12

St. Anthony’s Basilica, Sveti duh 31 www.lado.hr

the lado ensemble will mark the end of the concert season with a traditional christmas tour called ‘Dear Ones, rejoice’. the tour be gins with a humanitarian christ mas concert in the church of blessed alojzije stepinac in Ogulin and concludes with a concert in Varaždin on 22 December. Lado’s special christmas repertoire holds 18 traditional songs from different parts of croatia.

christmas in Europe 20/12

EVENTS INFORM A TION EVENTS INFORM A TION

Lauba, Prilaz baruna Filipovića 23a www.glazba.hrt.hr

choir, Jazz Orchestra and String players of the croatian Television Symphony Orchestra Miron Hauser, conductor

let the festive tunes take you on a magical christmas journey around europe! the most beau tiful traditional christmas songs and carols from croatia, austria, germany, France, spain, Portugal, Denmark, sweden, estonia, ro mania and ukraine were chosen from the rich musical treasury that conveys the joy of the birth of Jesus. it is a christmas musical feast for all.

Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra christmas concert 23/12

Vatroslav Lisinski concert Hall Trg Stjepana Radića 4 www.lisinski.hr

this festive season, the zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (conduct ed by Luka Vukšić and accompa nied by the beautiful soprano of Darija auguštan and tenor Filip Filipović ) will perform works by rossini, verdi, bizet, Puccini and other notable composers, as well as traditional croatian christmas Carols. Enjoy these first-class performances at the vatroslav lisinski concert Hall.

Zagreb Philharmonic Archives

HRT Archives, Photo by Jasenko Rasol

Lado Archives

Philharmonic Ball 30/12

Vatroslav Lisinski concert Hall, Trg Stjepana Radića 4 www.lisinski.hr

zagreb’s new year concerts are an undoubted festive highlight, and these concerts in particular, with their dancing melodies and marching bands, add to the special holiday vibes. this year’s Philhar monic ball, conducted by Dawid runtz, is aptly named the ‘strauss gala’, as it also includes some of the most loved and famous pieces by Strauss Senior & Junior.

Johann Strauss Jr. The Bat, operetta 29/12 .. 11/1/2023

croatian National Theatre, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 www.hnk.hr

the bat (originally ‘Die Fleder maus’), an acclaimed work by Johann strauss Jr. and synony mous with the operetta genre, was first performed in 1874 in Vienna. in just six years, it was staged in more than 170 theatres in the german-speaking world, which clearly illustrates its immense pop ularity. Many call it the operetta of operettas, and many great artists such as gustav Mahler, Franz liszt, and richard wagner, among others, praised it. this supreme piece of musical theatre exhila rates audiences with its beautiful waltzes and polkas, as well as light, refined satire and humour.

EVENTS INFORM A TION

Zagreb Philharmonic & Dawid Runtz, Zagreb Philharmonic Archives

We Love Sound pres. A New dawn 2023 1/1 .. 2/1 2023

HALA Zagreb, Slavonska avenija 3b www.we-love-sound.com

as 2022 winds down, the time has come to welcome the new Year and the new experiences and surprises it has in store for us. get to Hala Zagreb on the first day of the new Year to embark on a thrilling 22-hour musical journey and welcome 2023 with local DJs and regional stars (ani, Kali, elena Mikac, Felver, DJ Jock, Yoshitaca, etc.). A New Dawn is here, so em brace it and delight in a beautiful ceremony of dance and music.

Exhibition

of croatian design 21/22 10/1 .. 24/1/2023

Overview of Croatian design 19/20; editor - Marko Golub, design - Tina Ivezić

Sljeme mountaintop www.snowqueentrophy.com

Fis world ski cup races have been synonymous with sljeme since 2005 and were named in honour of Janica Kostelić, whose victories paved the way for this race to be included in the premier competition for alpine skiing. today it is one of the most signif icant annual international sports events in croatia. this year, two women’s slalom races on sljeme have been included in the calendar of the international ski Federation (FIS). Join the cheering crowd at the mountaintop and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere.

World cup Women’s Foil - Junior individuals and Teams 21/1 .. 22/1/2023

dom sportova (House of Sports), Trg Krešimira Ćosića 11 www.hms.hr

spend an exciting sporting weekend at the House of sports (Dom sportova), where an international fencing competi tion is scheduled for the end of January. enjoy the traditional art of fencing in a new and modern way. watch and admire local and international athletes as they battle in up to 20 differ ent arenas.

Spartak, ballet 28/1 .. 2/2/2023

croatian National Theatre, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 www.hnk.hr

a co-production of the croatian national theatres in zagreb and Rijeka, Spartacus remains one of aram Khachaturian’s best-known works. it follows the exploits of Spartacus, the leader of the slave uprising against the Ro mans. Spartacus has never been shown as a complete ballet work in zagreb, so the choreography by Jiří bubeniček will be the first complete staging of Spartacus in the Croatian National Theatre.

JazzHR season 26/1/2023

Tvornica kulture (Culture Factory), Šubićeva 2 www.facebook.com/tvornicakulture

JazzHr concert season opens with a performance of the established Croatian duo,  Hojsak & Novosel, promoting their new album Duckling Soup. the album was recorded with the famous bulgarian musician theodosii spasov who plays kaval, an eight-hole wooden ‘shepherd’ flute.

Eurokaz: The dance of death JAN .. FEB 2023 www.eurokaz.hr EVENTS INFORM A TION

zagreb events & culture

The Dance of Death based on August Strindberg’s play, Eurokaz Archives

HDS Archives

Croatian National Theater Archives

10th Grand Prix Zagreb Open 1/2 .. 6/2/2023

dom sportova (House of Sports), Trg Krešimira Ćosića 11 www.gpzagrebopen.com

As of this year, the Grand Prix Za greb Open tournament has been included in the ranking series by the united world wrestling Federation, guaranteeing the par ticipation of the world wrestling elite in all three traditional styles of wrestling. there are only two ranking series tournaments this year, and zagreb is proudly host ing one of them! a big occasion for wrestling in the city, to say the least.

Piaf! The Show - 60th Anniversary 4/2/2023

Vatroslav Lisinski concert Hall, Trg Stjepana Radića 4 www.lisinski.hr

grab tickets for the moving tribute to legendary performer Édith Piaf on the 60th anniversary of her passing. the performance by the excellent nathalie lermitte will take you on a musical celebra tion of the French icon’s life and career through her unforgettable songs. Le Parisien described the show with one sentence only: “nathalie lermitte...the world calls her Piaf”. enough said.

Bullet For My Valentine + Jinjer + Atreyu

Tvornica kulture (Culture Factory), Šubićeva 2 www.facebook.com/tvornicakulture

welsh metal band bullet for My valentine are once again returning to croatia’s capital, this time with the support of two other bands, Jinjer & Atreyu. Formed in 1998, the welsh musicians blend muscle-rippling riffs and emo harmonies, creating melodic, metallic and dark rock songs.

SHŠGZ Archives, Photo by Siniša Plevnik

Piaf! Le spectacle @Xiù, Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall Archives

Lead Bullet For My Valentine

NAuTIKA

– 30th Zagreb Boat Show

22/2 .. 26/2/2023

Zagreb Fair, Avenija dubrovnik 15 www.zv.hr

this year’s Jubilee show will feature the top selection of yachts, speedboats, boats, kayaks, dinghies, marine and outboard engines, equipment for diving, sailing and other water sports, an attractive exhi bition of nautical photography, beautiful examples of croatian traditional shipbuilding in wood and much more. ‘sail. Discover. live!‘ is the theme of the nautika boat show.

Giselle, ballet

21/2 .. 5/3/2023

croatian National Theatre, Trg Republike Hrvatske 15 www.hnk.hr

EVENTS INFORM

Giselle is considered by many to be the queen of romantic ballet. written by French compos er Adolphe Adam, it was first performed in Paris on June 28, 1841. the idea for the ballet originated with French poet and novelist Théophile Gautier, who took an interest in german poet Heinrich Heine’s retelling of a Slavic legend concerning the wilis, ghostly spirits of girls who have died before their wedding day.

EVENTS INFORM A TION

Enjoy the beautiful winter season…

Croatian National Theater Archives

Nautika Fair Archives

Publisher

zagreb tourist board Kaptol 5, 10000 zagreb, croatia info@infozagreb.hr www.infozagreb.hr www.meetinzagreb.hr Production Plava ponistra d.o.o.

design & Layout

Ivana Mihoković

Photo credits (cover) advent zagreb, zagreb tourist board cest is d’best archives

zagreb tourist board is not responsible for any changes or cancellations of events organised by third parties.

although we have made every effort to ensure that the information here presented is correct at the time of publishing, we cannot take any responsibility for errors or changes thereafter.