A giant Advent wreath in Trg Ban Jelačić
The Zagreb Christmas Market sets up on Trg Ban Jelačić, or Ban Jelacic Square. The square is decorated with lights, a Christmas tree, and a giant festive wreath is draped around the fountain there. Music entertains the Advent in Zagreb goers with Christmas classics, waltzes, and jazz.
Brrr! Escape the cold with hot mulled wine and Croatian sausages in the tents.
Hot wine and savory sausages are available in the tent in the Square, giving you a place to escape out of the cold. A number of cultural events also take place on the square during this time, from choir groups and workshops to Santa himself.
Stalls sell artisan Croatian products and traditional foods at the Zagreb Christmas Market
Stalls at the Zagreb Christmas market sell hand-made Croatian gifts and souvenirs. Take your pick of holiday favorites from gingerbread hearts and cookies to colorful decorations. Find a unique gift for someone back home like jewelry and souvenirs made by Zagreb’s craftsmen, artists, and manufacturers of traditional Croatian products.
The Advent in Zagreb Christmas Market is open December 2, 2017 – January 7, 2018 daily with concerts taking place from 4pm – 9pm.
Take a ride around Zagreb with Santa on the Jolly Holiday Tram
Rides are also available in the Jolly Christmas Tram with Santa Clause, Granny Clause, fairies, elves and many other cheerful characters. The tram picks up on the corner of Ban Jelačić Square and Praška Street, the ride takes 30 minutes and the tickets at the price of 25 kuna (~ $5 USD) are available at ZET shop in Petrićeva Street.
The Jolly Christmas Tram runs from December 2, 2017 – January 7, 2018 daily from 10am – 12pm and 4pm – 7pm; the tram does not operate on December 25 and January 1.
Christmas lights and fireworks at Bozicna Prica Obitelji Salaj | Photo courtesy of Salaj
Houses decked out in Christmas lights that can been seen from space aren’t a common sight in Europe, where Christmas is celebrated in more traditional ways, but head to the Salaj family’s rural house in the vicinity of Zagreb. Every inch of their estate is covered in more than 1 million Christmas lights, making it feel like a little slice of America.
The Christmas Train departs from the Zagreb Main Station and runs to Ivanić Grada, where you change to a bus to continue the rest of the way to Bozicna Prica Obitelji Salaj. The train runs Fridays and Saturdays from December 8 – 30, 2017 departing at 4:19pm and returning to Zagreb at 9:50pm on Fridays and departing at 2:58pm and returning to Zagreb at 7:38pm. Tickets are 80 kuna per child and 90 kuna per adult. Alternatively, the Salaj family farm is located at Čazma, Grabovnica, A. Starčevića 132 and is open December 1, 2018 – January 14, 2018 on Saturdays from 3 – 9pm. Visitors should park at the Grabovnica Airport where special transportation buses will bring you the remainder of the way to the farm. Tickets are 30 kuna (~ $5 USD) per person. Children under 10 are free.
Bell | Wanderlust Marriage says
Love Zagreb and that look like a beautiful Christmas market!! Will have to keep it in mind, would love an excuse to head back to Croatia 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I’m hoping for some snow when we head back to Zagreb’s Christmas Market in December. I can’t wait to see the Salaj farm all dressed up in its holiday finest.
Laura @Travelocafe says
Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and Christmas Market are magical places for me. Sometimes they can be expensive but not always. Zagreb Christmas Market seems a great choice.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We find the prices at Christmas Markets to be quite good and you can find a lot of unique gifts. The food is also cheap and delicious! I suppose attending ones in places like Paris can get expensive because the city itself is expensive to stay in.
Frank says
Looks very quaint – love the tram!
Frank (bbqboy)
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely a quaint market to visit!
Devlin @ Marginal Boundaries says
That Salaj family’s light display is great
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Isn’t it beautiful?! It’s a real treat because houses just don’t decorate like that. I’m looking forward to seeing their light display in a few weeks.
Cheryl Howard says
Ahh man! I miss the Christmas markets.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I bet! How are the Christmas Markets in Berlin? We’ll be going to our very first German Christmas Markets this year in Nuremberg and Rothenburg, which I am very excited for!
Cheryl Howard says
They are great! Really love the one at the Schloss Charlottenberg. 🙂
And that’s awesome. ENJOY!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We’re not going to Berlin this year for the markets. But I’m very excited to visit Nuremberg and Rothenburg for their markets! We’ll have to add Berlin at Christmas to our list for one of these years.
Heather says
So pretty! I can’t wait to experience all the Christmas markets of Europe!! It will be a challenge to see them all in two years, but I’m up for it! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I hear the Christmas Markets in Tallinn are absolutely fab! I’d love to make it back to Tallinn one year for theirs. But for now, I’m really looking forward to visiting Germany for their Christmas Markets this year.
Dayna says
My friend and I are heading to Zagreb this Friday, looking forward to it even more after reading your post 🙂
Enjoy Nuremberg and NYC!