In Zagreb County, the holiday weeks of 2025 turn a series of towns and municipalities into a connected Advent network of lights, music, and scents, with an emphasis on family programs, local craftsmen, and concerts that attract visitors from the entire region. This season, the start is intentionally staggered: in Sveta Nedelja, on November 28, "Winter Times" opens with an ice rink and a concert by Grše, and on the same evening, holiday lighting is lit and the program opens in Samobor, a town that has been nurturing a warm, traditional holiday face for years.

Samobor – magical scenery of the old town

Samobor builds its winter backdrop from November 28, 2025, to January 1, 2026, at several locations – from King Tomislav Square, via the Promenade along the Mills and Stražnička Street, to the Bunker Youth Center. A ceremonial lighting of the lamps, the opening of a large ice rink with a themed show on ice, and a series of concerts creating a rhythm of outings for all ages are planned. During the day, it is easy to "work up an appetite" with the scents of the cottages and visits to museums, and in the evening enjoy musical programs. If you are planning a weekend with children, choose a day with children's workshops and plays; if you are aiming for an evening out – coordinate your arrival with concert times. For practicality, choose accommodation in Samobor and plan a walking route through the center without the need for a car.

Velika Gorica – ice rink, panoramic wheel, and concerts

Velika Gorica traditionally emphasizes "Advent for all generations". The opening in the Park of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje brings the lighting of the lights, the start of the ice rink, the Christmas village, and the panoramic wheel, so the center becomes a daily and evening point for families. The first Advent weeks bring children's programs, workshops, and concerts, and December continues in step with popular performers and thematic days. It is a good idea to come earlier and walk among the cottages before the evening performances. If you are looking for a good traffic base, choose accommodation in Velika Gorica; the proximity of the airport and fast lines to Zagreb will facilitate movement. The car is easiest to leave in the parking lots around the park, with a short walk to the stages.

Sveti Ivan Zelina and Vrbovec – intimate stages with a lot of spirit

Sveti Ivan Zelina and Vrbovec welcome the beginning of Advent on November 29 with a combination of concerts, exhibitions, and performances in museum and city spaces. Zelina's programs in December generally combine choir performances, children's theater stories, and handicrafts, while Vrbovec turns "small-format warmth" into an advantage – smaller stages, shorter walks to everything, and a neighborly spirit. For groups wanting a one-day trip, the recommendation is to combine "Zelina – Vrbovec – Dugo Selo" in one route with a late afternoon departure towards the concert program in the park. For an easier itinerary, consider accommodation in Sveti Ivan Zelina or accommodation in Vrbovec.

Dugo Selo – park as a music stage

Dugo Selo turns Count Drašković Park into an open daily and evening stage from December 5 to 31. Throughout the month, DJ programs and thematic evenings, children's plays with St. Nicholas, tribute concerts, performances like the ABBA Tribute band or Gavarani alternate, and on December 31 at noon "New Year before New Year" with the Ravnica tambouritza players. Partly, the program moves to the Preporod Hall, which favors family theater content and indoor concerts. If you are looking for the rhythm of "something new every evening", take accommodation in Dugo Selo – the program is dense almost every evening.

Ivanić-Grad – a blend of Naftalan, museums, and music

In December, Ivanić-Grad combines the museum and theater scene with the recognizable health-tourism story of Naftalan. The rhythm of the week consists of children's "parties" in Naftalan, Christmas fairs, creative workshops (from wreaths to cookies), exhibitions, and musical programs. Towards the end of the year, a children's New Year's Eve is held on December 31 in the morning, and the musical peak is revealed by the concert of VA Milka Trnina and the performance of Damir Kedžo on December 28. If you want to combine relaxation and holiday atmosphere, choose accommodation in Ivanić-Grad and coordinate wellness with the evening program.

Jastrebarsko – "Winter Jaska" until January 11

"Winter Jaska" in Jastrebarsko opens on December 5 and lasts until January 11. The program is distributed between the Barracks, Strossmayer Square, and the park of Erdödy Castle – from concerts (Vojko V, Pavel, Vesna Pisarović, Marko Tolja, Beatles Revival) to sports and family content like free Nordic walking, children's plays, and Advent races. The Barracks functions as the main music stage in the evening, and the park is a quiet daily corner for families. If you are attracted to park ambiances and castles, choose accommodation in Jastrebarsko.

Zaprešić – sweet start with Matija Cvek

Zaprešić celebrates the "Sweetest Advent" this season and starts on November 29 with a concert by Matija Cvek. Throughout December, Advent cottages, choir singing, and family thematic days follow. A one-day plan: afternoon walk through the parks of Zaprešić castles and a visit to the Matija Skurjeni Museum, cottages in the early evening, concert in the evening. If you are combining the weekend with a visit to the Marija Gorica fair, reserve accommodation in Zaprešić and plan a Sunday trip to the fair.

Marija Gorica Christmas Fair – focus on domestic

The Marija Gorica Christmas Fair on December 20 gathers municipalities of the Sava-Sutla region – Brdovec, Dubravica, Marija Gorica, and Pušća – and puts the focus on small producers, crafts, and local gastronomy. The fair is held in the sports hall of the Ante Kovačić Elementary School in Marija Gorica and is an excellent choice for everyone who wants to take home authentic gifts: cheeses, cured meats, honey, handicrafts, and sweets. If you are coming from Zagreb, plan shared transport and split the time between tastings and shopping, and for an overnight stay choose accommodation in Marija Gorica or accommodation in Brdovec.

Krašić, Rugvica, and Brckovljani – quieter stops

Krašić, a place of strong spiritual and cultural memory, marks the beginning of Advent on November 30 with the lighting of the first candle in an intimate atmosphere; Rugvica and Brckovljani launch their family programs on December 6. These smaller environments are ideal as "light stops" between larger centers – with more space, shorter lines, and conversation with exhibitors. For a weekend route, consider accommodation in Krašić, accommodation in Rugvica or accommodation in Brckovljani and arrange visits in a loop.

Sveta Nedelja – "Winter Times" open the season

Sveta Nedelja leads the season on November 28: "Winter Times" bring an ice rink, a concert by Grše, and accompanying content outdoors. Due to the proximity of highway exits and a rich gastro-offer in the surroundings, it is easy to combine a visit with an afternoon trip or an evening concert in nearby towns. If you are planning a tour of the western part of the county, accommodation in Sveta Nedelja is a practical choice.

How to coordinate visits with Advent in Zagreb

For those who want to connect the Advent route with the capital: Advent in Zagreb 2025 lasts from November 29, 2025, to January 7, 2026, at about twenty decorated locations, with more than 90 free concerts and the return of the program to the Upper Town. A double weekend plan – Saturday Zagreb, Sunday county – is best realized with accommodation in Zaprešić, accommodation in Samobor or accommodation in Sveta Nedelja, thereby avoiding city crowds and shortening transfers.

Practical tips: transport, parking, and arrival time

On weekends, come earlier and avoid the narrow center whenever you can; use parking lots near stations or sports halls and pedestrian corridors to main squares. For Samobor and Jastrebarsko, it is most pleasant to walk through the wider historical center, while in Velika Gorica and Dugo Selo, check temporary traffic regimes due to ice rinks and stages. Families with children specifically choose days with children's plays and workshops (e.g., St. Nicholas on December 6), and "concert hunters" should filter dates with tribute programs and guest pop performers in advance.

Gastronomy and local products

Gastronomic stops form a separate layer of experience: Turopolje specialties in Velika Gorica, sausages and mulled wine near Strossmayer Square in Jastrebarsko, cream cakes (kremšnite) and Samobor salami in Samobor, domestic honey and family farm products at the Marija Gorica fair, and fritters in almost every place. For authentic flavors, peek into cultural centers and museums – products from small batches are often offered as part of exhibitions and workshops. Additionally, part of the program – especially in Zelina, Zaprešić, and Ivanić-Grad – integrates local producers into thematic weekends.

Photo points and winter shots

For the most beautiful photos, count on ice surfaces and the panoramic wheel in Velika Gorica in the evening, the ice rink and trails of lights in Samobor after sunset, the park of Erdödy Castle during the "golden hour", and the scenery of the winter fair in Marija Gorica. In Dugo Selo, look for a shot with lights and the stage in the depth of the Park, and in Sveta Nedelja the contrast of ice and holiday colors. For social networks, check city hashtags – they will facilitate finding official profiles and maps.

Itineraries for three days

Advanced itinerary: Friday Zaprešić (walk and evening concert), Saturday Jastrebarsko (park and evening performance in the Barracks), Sunday Marija Gorica Fair with tastings and purchase of local products. Alternative: Friday Dugo Selo, Saturday Samobor, Sunday Ivanić-Grad with a children's program and evening concert. In the first variant, consider a base such as accommodation in Zaprešić or accommodation in Jastrebarsko; in the second, split overnight stays (e.g., accommodation in Dugo Selo and accommodation in Samobor) to reduce daily drives.

Sustainable and safe

Bring layered clothing, children's skates, and reflective strips; warm up with a hot drink and use returnable cups where available. Support local exhibitors by purchasing products with clearly marked origin, and for arrival between nearby places choose public transport or agree on carpooling. Evening programs often last until 10 or 11 PM, so plan a return or overnight stay – accommodation in Samobor, accommodation in Dugo Selo and accommodation in Ivanić-Grad make a good triangle for an even tour.

Musical highlights and dates

For music lovers: in Jastrebarsko, performers from pop to jazz alternate through December (Pavel, Vesna Pisarović, Marko Tolja), in Dugo Selo the schedule is intersected by DJ evenings and thematic concerts (from ABBA Tribute to Ravnica), and in Samobor and Zaprešić Advent set-lists prevailing combine hits and Christmas standards. In Sveta Nedelja, the opening with Grše gives a more urban introduction to a calmer December, while in Velika Gorica the program amplitude ranges from children's choirs to pop-rock bands.

Calendar – from November 28 to December 31

Most important points: November 28 – Sveta Nedelja ("Winter Times", concert by Grše) and Samobor (lighting of lights and ice rink); November 29 – Zaprešić (Matija Cvek), Sveti Ivan Zelina and Vrbovec (openings), Dugo Selo (concert by Minea in Count Drašković Park), Velika Gorica (first Advent candle, opening of ice rink and Christmas village); November 30 – Krašić (lighting of the first candle). In December: December 4 Ivanić-Grad enters full rhythm of exhibitions, workshops, and concerts; December 5 "Winter Jaska" begins in Jastrebarsko, and on December 20 the Marija Gorica Christmas Fair is held. The last day of the year brings children's celebrations (e.g., Ivanić-Grad) and daily celebrations like "New Year before New Year" in Dugo Selo.

Accommodation recommendations by traveler profile

For families – accommodation in Samobor or accommodation in Velika Gorica due to proximity to ice rinks and children's programs; for weekend photographers – accommodation in Jastrebarsko because of the park and Erdödy Castle; for gourmets – accommodation in Marija Gorica or accommodation in Zaprešić because of the fair and proximity to Sava-Sutla family farms; for "concert nomads" – accommodation in Dugo Selo and accommodation in Ivanić-Grad because the schedule is dense almost every evening.

How to organize a day without rushing

For organizing the day, arrange a "T-plan": morning – local coffee and pastry; forenoon – museums or thematic workshops; afternoon – ice rink and fair cottages; evening – concert or choir; late – walk through light installations and return to base accommodation. Thus, you avoid crowds and get the full experience of the Advent atmosphere of Zagreb County.