Croatia
Hrvatska1 region
Croatia suits a visitor who wants a capital that turns Advent into a citywide party. Advent in Zagreb runs from 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027, with markets in parks and squares, along the hilltop paths of the Upper Town and down to an ice rink on King Tomislav Square. European Best Destinations voters named it the best Christmas market in Europe three years running, from 2016 to 2018. Zagreb is the one base this site covers in Croatia, so plan the Christmas part of a trip around the capital.
How Croatia keeps Christmas
- Djed BožićnjakDjed Božićnjak (Grandfather Christmas) leaves the presents under the tree for Christmas. Croatians keep him apart from St Nicholas, who has his own day earlier in December.
- St Nicholas (Sveti Nikola)Sveti Nikola fills the boots that children clean and set on the windowsill the evening before 6 December. Krampus comes with him and leaves a rod for anyone who misbehaved.
- St Lucy (Sveta Lucija)In some parts of Croatia the season starts on St Lucy's Day, 13 December, and she brings the presents there.
In many parts of Croatia, Advent used to begin on St Catherine's Day on 25 November with early morning Masses and fasting. Today families light one more candle on the wreath each Sunday. On St Lucy's Day, 13 December, many sow wheat (božićna pšenica) in a dish, and how green it grew by Christmas was once read as a sign of the next harvest.
Badnjak (Christmas Eve) is a fasting day with a meatless supper, mostly fish and often bakalar (salt cod). Old households spread straw on the floor and set three logs by the hearth. The evening ends with polnoćka (Midnight Mass), which is worship first. Christmas Day can mean more than one Mass and a big family lunch, and on 26 December everyone called Stjepan celebrates a name day for St Stephen.
Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day are public holidays, and so is Epiphany on 6 January. Christmas Eve is a working day, and many businesses close around midday. Advent in Zagreb keeps going through the holidays until 7 January 2027.
Market in Croatia
Town in Croatia
Quick answers about Croatia
Why is Advent in Zagreb so well known?
European Best Destinations voters named it the best Christmas market in Europe each year from 2016 to 2018. The festival spreads across the city, with markets in parks and squares and up on the hilltop paths of the Upper Town.
Is Christmas Eve a holiday in Croatia?
Christmas Eve is a working day, and many businesses close around midday. Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day on 26 December and Epiphany on 6 January are public holidays.
Who brings the presents in Croatia?
In Croatia, Djed Božićnjak or St Nicholas or St Lucy brings the presents. Djed Božićnjak (Grandfather Christmas) leaves the presents under the tree for Christmas. Croatians keep him apart from St Nicholas, who has his own day earlier in December.
When do the Christmas markets run in Croatia?
In Croatia, the city's Advent in Zagreb festival runs from 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027, with markets in squares and parks across the city and up on the hilltop paths of the Upper Town.