Advent on European Square brings the holiday rhythm back to the center of Zagreb

Thousands of lights, a new stage facing Vlaška Street, the festive atmosphere of an open-air club in the heart of the city, and the kind of December feeling we remember. This year, European Square becomes a place you visit on purpose, an Advent you do not simply pass by, but one you go out to.

OPENING WITH LJETNO KINO, NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE CULT, THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES, CHRISTMAS EVE WITH ALKA AND THE SONGS SHE WROTE FOR OTHERS

At the centre of this year’s programme stands the music that has always defined EU Advent. The forty-day lineup was curated by Marijan Felver, and it opens on 29 November at 21:00 with Ljetno kino, a band that will summon the next summer right in the middle of winter. Their retro pop charm and the feeling of carefree summer days perfectly set the tone for the festive season ahead.

Christmas Eve brings something completely different. Instead of her standard repertoire, Alka Vujica will perform the songs she wrote for others, songs we grew up with, laughed to, danced to, and loved. We raise a toast to Christmas Eve already in the early afternoon hours, evoking those golden pop moments we all know but rarely think about who created them.

And to end the year, Zagreb will enter 2026 to the rhythm of a band that marked the global acid jazz and funk scene: The Brand New Heavies. Their groovy hits Dream On Dreamer, Never Stop, and the anthemic You Are the Universe bring a completely different kind of New Year’s celebration, sophisticated, danceable, and global. Welcoming the New Year with a band that has played all over the world and collaborated with Erykah Badu, N Dea Davenport, and many great names is an event not to be missed.

Photo: EU ADVENT

Visitors will also enjoy the performance of regional sensation Zoster on 6 December and a special evening when Yammat.fm moves its most famous shows, hosts, and editors into the central DJ booth. The most visited traditional Modjo Sound System by Ivona Kovačević is scheduled for 19 December and many DJs who will keep the rhythm going throughout the week include Martina Vazdar, Ben Colgan, Antonio Zuza, Elena Mikac, Vitamin Disco, Alen S, Glazbena kuhinja, and others. Part of the programme is also dedicated to the legendary Zagreb programme Blackout with Bizzo at the DJ booth, as well as the well-known Zagreb club nights.

HUMANITARIAN COOKING DUEL

Four major culinary duels, plus eight top chefs, plus eight popular influencers, in a humanitarian mission

Three December Thursdays, starting from 4 December and Tuesday 23 December, are reserved for the Cooking Duels, where well-known chefs and influencers cook for charity. All proceeds from the sale of dishes will be donated to the Budi dobro association, which helps in the prevention of cancer and in improving the quality of life of those affected and treated for cancer and their families.

On stage, modern and old-school approaches to cooking will meet. Announced chefs include Vedran Bošković and Goran Stanisavljević, Mauro Renje and Petar Tucman, Duje Smajo and Kristijan Godinić, and Ivan Vrbanec and Matija Sušec. Alongside them cook many beloved familiar names: Ismael Iso Hadžić, Mario Mandarić, Antonija Jagodić, Arijeta Gashi, Paula Šik, Igor Jadan, Lara Vukušić, and others.

The host of the humanitarian duels is Sanja Doležal, and the audience tastes both dishes and chooses the winner. The culinary duels have been held for four years in a row and are a favourite EU Advent event because they promote solidarity and togetherness.

Photo: EU ADVENT

GASTRO OFFER: EACH STALL IS DIFFERENT

European Square once again proves to be one of the most diverse Advent gastro zones in the city, featuring eighteen gastro stalls, the central bar Zvečka, and ten additional stalls offering seasonal gifts and specialized products. Each stall offers something different, from traditional dishes to modern festive reinterpretations, and visitors return here discovering a new bite each time.

This year’s offer ranges from warm, familiar flavours such as Istrian jota and dishes made with boškarin beef to unexpected Advent stars that combine creativity and tradition. Among them stand out the Christmas smash croissants and imaginative sweet and savoury fritters with pesto, fish, or sun-dried tomatoes, as well as the true festive hit, the Christmas Natale panino with turkey, chestnut cream, and cranberry chutney. This winter brings a new level of creativity from innovative hot drinks to playful ice puffs ice cream, and visually striking ice smoke cocktails, which will surely become one of the most photographed Advent moments.

Photo: EU ADVENT

SUNDAYS FOR CHILDREN AND AN ADVENT THAT CARES

Sundays at EU Advent are dedicated to families. The LOFT theatre brings children’s shows every Sunday, such as The Nutcracker and Mišonja, Elf Stories, and Pearl Diver, creating a small ritual for whole families. At the same time, sustainable practices such as reusable cups are introduced and the entire programme is infused with a humanitarian dimension that brings new warmth to the square.

“This year, we have introduced many new elements in the visual identity and design of EU Advent, from the new orientation of the stage to carefully designed details that give the location completely new energy. We have invested a lot in the programme to give the people of Zagreb something to be proud of and to show visitors the best of Zagreb in taste and sound. So we invite everyone to come to European Square to the very rhythm of the city where Advent has a soul and the fun is real,” say the organisers from Svibanj projekt, the organisation behind EU Advent.

The working hours of EU Advent are from Monday to Thursday from 12:00 to 23:00, on Fridays from 12:00 to 00:00, on Saturdays from 10:00 to 00:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 23:00. On Christmas Eve from 10:00 to 20:00 and on Christmas Day from 17:00 to 23:00. The detailed programme and timetable are published weekly on the EU Advent FB and IG channels. Admission to all events is free.