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Discover the Charm of Christmas in Croatia
Christmas is a magical time of year, and in Croatia, the holiday season is celebrated with deep-rooted traditions, vibrant festivities, and a strong sense of community. With its blend of Christian customs, centuries-old folklore, and Mediterranean flair, Christmas in Croatia offers a unique and heartwarming experience that reflects the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
In Croatia, Christmas Eve is known as Badnji dan and Christmas Day is known as Božić. The festive season is a wonderful time and is celebrated widely and enthusiastically across the country.
What is Christmas in Croatia like?
The weather during December ranges from 41°F to 54°F in coastal regions such as Dubrovnik or Split and is typically colder in-land in cities such as Zagreb, with daily temperatures ranging between 32°F and 46°F.
The continental regions of Croatia receive regular snow in the winter months, especially in the mountains and highlands. Croatia even has a few ski resorts where you can spend a day or even a weekend out on the slopes. Sljeme Peak on Mount Medvednica, just north of Zagreb, is the most popular resort in the country.
There are many Croatian Christmas traditions that are celebrated throughout the country and the festive spirit is contagious. As dusk falls, the streets come alive with a soft glow from the lights twinkling above, and locals gather in public squares, exchanging warm greetings and holiday cheer. The air is filled with the scent of pine from freshly cut Christmas trees, and the sounds of bells and carolers remind you that the heart of the season is about togetherness.
Each region within the country has its own unique traditions and customs. In parts of Slavonia, it’s still customary to burn the badnjak (a large log or branch) in the fireplace, which symbolizes warmth, light, and protection for the family whereas in coastal regions such as Dalmatia, the streets are filled with the sounds of klapa music, a form of a cappella singing.
The celebration of Advent
In Croatia, the festive celebrations begin four Sundays before Christmas Eve, which is considered a time of preparation and reflection. Most of the country identifies as Catholic, so Advent is a big part of the Christmas culture.
Part of the tradition is to hand-weave a wreath of either straw or evergreen twigs, which contain four candles. Traditionally, these wreaths would symbolize eternity or endlessness.
Each of the candles have different meanings, honoring different parts of history and life. The first candle, which is traditionally purple, symbolizes creation and hope and the second candle, which is also purple, symbolizes embodiment and peace. The third candle, which is rose coloured, embodies redemption and joy, and the forth ending and love. One candle is lit every Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve. Sometimes, a fifth candle is lit in the middle on Christmas Day.
St. Nicholas Day, locally known as Nikolinje, is celebrated on December 6th which marks the beginning of the gift-giving season in Croatia. Children clean their boots and leave them on the window sill on the evening before St. Nicholas Day, hoping that St. Nicholas will bring them gifts of sweets. Though, , if a child has been naughty, they might wake up to find a šiba (pile of sticks) left by Krampus, a devilish figure who accompanies St. Nicholas and serves as a reminder for children to behave better.
Christmas food in Croatia
Christmas Eve is typically a day of fasting for most Croatian households, meaning that no meat is consumed on the day. Instead many families indulge in a variety of seafood dishes with bakalar (salted cod) as one of the most popular choices.
Desserts play a big role around Christmas time. Fritule, small fried doughnuts flavored with rum and citrus zest and dusted with powdered sugar, are one of the most beloved festive treats. Medenjaci are fragrant gingerbread cookies that are made from honey, spices, and flour and then cut into traditional Christmas shapes such as Christmas trees, reindeers, and stars. They are often decorated with colorful icing and incorporated into table settings. Another popular dessert is orehnjača, a walnut roll pastry that is rich and sweet,which are often made in excess to give to friends and family during this time.
Christmas Markets in Croatia
All of the larger cities in Croatia host wonderful Advent markets which typically begin with the start of Advent and run until early January. Small wooden chalets line the streets, offering steaming cups of hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies shaped like stars. Glide across the ice at the nearby ice-skating rink, with colorful Christmas lights reflecting off the surface.
Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, is home to one of the best Christmas markets, receiving the title of Europe’s Best Christmas Market for three consecutive years in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Advent Zagreb begins on the 30th of November and continues until the 7th of January 2025.
This beautiful Christmas market is spread across the whole city in 12 different locations and has a wide range of offerings including events, stalls, rides, and concerts. The city’s streets are adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, as the unmistakable scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fill the air.
Dubrovnik also has its own Christmas market, which is known as the Dubrovnik Winter Festival. It takes place on the stone-paved Stradun in the medieval-walled old town.
Split’s Christmas Festival takes place within the old town, with a backdrop of Diocletan’s Palace. Soak up the festive Croatian Christmas spirit by walking through the decorated streets, listening to Christmas carols and snacking on fritule.
Spend Christmas in Croatia with Adventures Croatia
Are you wanting to experience the magic of Christmas in Croatia firsthand? From Croatia Tours, such as our Christmas in Croatia, Austria, and Hungary Tour, to customized travel plans to Croatia, our friendly and knowledgeable team are here to help you plan the vacation of your dreams.
With over 12 years experience and extensive local and specialized knowledge of Croatia and the surrounding areas, we are able to help you curate and plan memories that will last a lifetime. Contact us today to begin planning!
