Zagreb, Croatia
AdventZagreb, a holiday extravaganza of lights, music, delicacies, and celebrations, takes place in the Croatian capital every December and lasts until January 7. The festival is held in many locations across Zagreb, particularly in its parks. The promenades and fountains in Zrinjevac Park are lighted by lanterns, and decorated wooden cabins in the park also include seasonal dishes (a specialty is trukle, a pastry filled with soft cheese and served warm).
Musicians play in the park every evening and on the weekends in the morning. The enormous Christmas tree and the light show on the fountain in Ban Josip Jelacic Square attract attention, and there is live music every day. The sparkling King Tomislav Square, which has a skating rink and food stalls, hosts additional music events. The heart of the city's traffic-free European Square is lined with stalls offering holiday treats and decorations, and every evening music is played. On New Year's Eve, the city is alive with live music and events; the Changing of the Guard on horseback on New Year's Day is the festival's high point (though it's not the end).
