The most beautiful Advent by the sea
Advent is the ideal time to experience Opatija in a romantic festive atmosphere that can be felt at every turn among the elegant fin de siècle villas, in the streets and on the squares lit by Advent lights, with the enticing scents of hot tea, fresh coffee and aromatic chocolate wafting from the town's Vienna-style cafés.
ADVENT AT THE JURAJ ŠPORER ART PAVILION / 1/12 – 7/1
A wide-ranging culinary offer and excellent entertainment programmes make the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion and the surrounding park a place not to be missed during the festive season. In December and January, the area in front of the pavilion, around the distinctive stone circle, attractively decorated and additionally enhanced by fantastic light effects, turns into the town’s winter garden and a venue for attractive performances by superb jazz, rock and pop musicians with the sound of the sea in the background. The harmony of sensations is rounded off with the traditional Christmas aromas of mulled wine, hot teas, and popular fast food dishes served at festively decorated wooden kiosks. Earlier during the day, the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion is a popular meeting point for children because of the entertainment programmes it offers, while in the afternoon and evening it turns into a stage for great musical performances.
ADVENT AT THE MARKET 21/12-31/12
The town market is a favourite meeting point for local people, especially in the morning hours. It is therefore no wonder that this town square hosts a particularly vibrant Advent programme. In addition to a traditional offer of food and drink, the Advent on the Market programme stands out for its unique offer of souvenirs and Christmas gifts handmade by local artisans. The excellent atmosphere at the town market is rounded off by interesting programmes for all ages.
ICE MAGIC AND CHRISMAS FAIR / 1/12 – 14/1 / OPEN AIR THEATRE
Every December and January, the event called "Ice Magic" turns Opatija's Open Air Theatre into an idyllic winter resort where visitors can experience the true festive spirit just a few steps from the sea. The central meeting point is the attractive ice skating rink open to the public, and which offers a varied programme particularly aimed at children. Around the ice skating rink is the Christmas fair, with rustic wooden kiosks offering mulled wine and sausages, traditional sweets and hot chocolate while the scent of cinnamon and cloves fills the air. With popular Christmas tunes in the background, this is the perfect place to buy a souvenir or a gift that will find its place under the Christmas tree.
FESTIVAL ČOKOLADE / 1 – 3/12 / CHRISTAL HALL, HOTEL KVARNER
Opatija's sweetest event on the first weekend in December presents the best Croatian and international chocolate brands, and small specialised manufacturers who produce original chocolate desserts. The chocolate exposition and sales area is located within the Christal Hall of Hotel Kvarner, where exhibitors present the best of their products. Further exciting events such as workshops, lectures, tastings, concerts and exhibitions dedicated to chocolate, take place in Opatija's hotels and restaurants, art gallerie and exhibition pavilions. A special part of the event is the "Opatija Paradox" where various chocolate flavours are combined under expert guidance with quality wines from the region.
CHRISTMAS TALE IN UČKA NATURE PARK / 15 – 17/12 / POKLON, UČKA
The Opatija Riviera is so attractive in winter that even Santa Claus cannot resist paying a visit here. Every December, he moves from Lapland to his "residence" on Mount Učka, where the snow and horse-drawn sleighs make the perfect setting for an encounter with the white-bearded Santa during the Christmas Tale in Učka Nature Park. This event, which lasts for three days in December, is particularly interesting for children who can meet Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes, while their parents relax in the idyllic atmosphere with a cup of hot tea.
CHRISMAS CONCERTS, ROYAL HALL, CENTAR GERVAIS, JURAJ ŠPORER ARTS PAVILION, MARKET, MILENIJ HOTELI, LIBURNIA RIVIERA HOTELI
Christmas concerts are held throughout December with the best musicians in numerous Opatija's hotels and halls. An intimate and solemn atmosphere symbolizing the warmth of the family home, while the repertoire of musicians alternates with traditional Croatian and international Christmas songs.
CHRISTMAS CLASSIC CAR SHOW / 26/12 / IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL MILENIJ
The traditional Christmas Classic Car Show gives visitors to Opatija the chance to admire attractive classic cars, the oldest of which date back to the first half of the twentieth century. Despite their age, these luxury cars, thanks to the efforts of their owners, still look like new.
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY /31/12. / OPEN AIR THEATRE, MARKET, IN FRONT OF JURAJ ŠPORER ARTS PAVILION
The New Year's Eve Parties in Opatija are always special events, and are also the highlight of the winter programme, which starts at the beginning of December. On this evening, Opatija plays host to renowned musicians who give a concert and express their best wishes to thousands of spectators. In the company of loved ones, the cheerful atmosphere of the New Year's Eve Party in Opatija is an excellent way to say goodbye to the year that has come to an end, and to see in the New Year.
11:00-13:30 Open Air Theatre
CHILDREN'S NEW YEAR PARTY AT NOON
22:00-02:00 In front of Juraj Šporer Arts Pavilion
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WITH XFINITY BAND
22:00 Tržnica
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WITH THE BIGGEST FIREWORKS, KOKTELSI AND LETEĆI ODRED BANDS
MAYOR'S NEW YEAR'S TOAST / 1/1 / HOTEL KVARNER AT NOON
Every year, thousands of visitors choose Opatija as a destination to see in the New Year. On 1st January, they are invited to the terrace of the Hotel Kvarner, where Opatija's mayor and his closest associates express their best wishes for the coming year in several languages and invite them to visit this town again soon. The exclusive glass in which the champagne is served on this occasion can be kept as a souvenir of this moment.
For the duration of the event, parking for passenger cars in public areas on Saturdays and Sundays will be free of charge.
Organized by
Town of Opatija Tourist Board
+385 51 271 310
tic@visitOpatija.com