With a special program, little ones welcomed the New Year on December 31, 2025, at Trsat Castle

Trsat Castle in Rijeka was once again the stage for one of the most cheerful city traditions this winter: the children's New Year's Eve celebration, designed as a safe and playful alternative to evening festivities. In the morning hours of December 31, 2025, Trsat Fortress filled with families, children, and holiday atmosphere, and the two-hour program offered animation, music adapted for the youngest, and a series of activities that turned the historic space into a large open playroom.

For many parents, the "noon celebration" is an ideal compromise: children feel the excitement of the countdown, photo-taking, and congratulations, while maintaining a daily rhythm appropriate for their age. In Rijeka, this format is tied to winter programs at the Fortress, so Trsat is increasingly perceived on New Year's Eve as a place of meeting, togetherness, and family walks. If you are arriving in the city from other parts and want to avoid last-minute searching, it is useful to look at accommodation offers in Rijeka and on Trsat in advance.

Two hours of play, music, and mascots

The children's celebration lasted from 10:30 to 12:30, and the center of events was on the open spaces of Trsat Castle. Children were welcomed by animators and a DJ with a specially selected children's music playlist. During the morning, dancing, short group games, and singing together alternated, so even the youngest found it easy to "catch" the rhythm of the celebration and join in without much persuasion.

The cheerful atmosphere was further complemented by favorite mascots – Mickey and Minnie, the New Year's Bunny, and Zmajko – who mingled with the children throughout the program, posed for photos, and participated in animation segments. Such moments are often crucial: meeting characters the child recognizes turns an ordinary trip into an experience, and parents are left with a series of photos that will be brought out even when holiday decorations are already put away.

Clown Marko's Show and accompanying activities

Among the most visited points was Clown Marko's New Year's show, who led the children through part of the program with humor and interaction, encouraged them to participate, and created an atmosphere in which even shyer little ones could easily join in. The clown format, known for its fast pace and short "challenges" for the audience, is especially rewarding in an outdoor space: it holds children's attention and allows parents to relax because the program is constantly moving and "does not drop".

Along with the show, a series of accompanying activities was organized. Face painting turned children into little dragons, butterflies, and superheroes, while a photo corner with props served as a holiday background for family photos. The program also included the distribution of occasional gifts and surprises, so little visitors took home a concrete memory, not just an impression.

At the very entrance, every child received a New Year's hat, party glasses, sparklers, and small props for participating in the celebration. This "starter pack" turned the audience into part of the scenery: the colorfulness of hats and glasses emphasized the feeling of togetherness, and sparklers in the hands of the youngest became a symbol of a ritual usually associated with the evening celebration, but here moved into a daytime, family framework.

The highlight exactly at noon: countdown and balloon "fireworks"

The most excitement was brought by the joint countdown exactly at noon. Instead of classic fireworks, the organizers prepared a visual spectacle adapted for children and the castle space: more than 500 colorful balloons were released from large New Year's spheres above the gathered crowd. The balloon "fireworks" spilled over the courtyard and walls, and the children, with loud cheering and laughter, tried to catch the balloons or at least touch them as they descended.

The moment was also the most photographed part of the program. Parents captured shots with mobile phones, while children in the crowd looked for "their" balloon, agreed on colors, and exchanged them with friends. For many families, this became a symbolic entry into the new year: a shared moment of joy without pyrotechnic detonations, with an effect strong enough to remain in memory and be retold all winter.

Toast for the youngest and a natural end to the gathering

After the noon spectacle, the program was brought to a close with a joint toast. Mascots distributed children's champagne to the kids, and with congratulations and a few more songs from the children's playlist, the morning celebration ended. For the youngest, the gesture of toasting itself is important: it imitates an "adult" ritual, but in a safe and fun form that is understandable to children and does not require them to stay awake until late.

After the end of the program, Trsat remained full of families who continued their walk, taking photos with holiday decorations, and briefly lingering at the viewpoints. For visitors who arrived in Rijeka as planned and with a multi-day stay, the celebration on Trsat can be the beginning of a wider holiday excursion – from walking through the center to visiting cultural contents. In that case, it is good to check accommodation near the event venue in advance so that the family has a peaceful base even during the busiest days of the year's end.

Why the "noon celebration" is gaining importance

The children's celebration at Trsat Castle shows how public space and cultural heritage can gain a new, socially useful role – especially during the holiday season, when cities look for content that brings residents and guests together. The daytime schedule allows participation for families with small children who otherwise avoid night crowds, and the concept with an emphasis on animation and balloons instead of pyrotechnics also suits children sensitive to loud noises. It is also a message that a celebration can be attractive even without everything traditionally associated with a "real" New Year's Eve.

In Rijeka, additional value is provided by the space itself. Trsat Castle is one of the most recognizable city landmarks and an important point of the tourist offer, with programs that include exhibitions, concerts, and outdoor events throughout the year. Precisely because of this, such events have a double effect: on the one hand, they create memories for local families, and on the other hand, they offer a reason for guests who want to experience the city in a special, holiday attire to come. If you plan a multi-day stay near Trsat, use visitor accommodation on Trsat as a starting point for walks and other programs in the city.

Trsat as a backdrop: heritage that lives through events

Trsat Castle is, according to official descriptions, one of the oldest fortifications in the Croatian Littoral area, and today it is arranged as a complex that combines historical walls with tourist and cultural contents. In recent years, the City of Rijeka has emphasized the importance of investing in public tourist infrastructure such as Trsat Castle and the Rijeka Tunnel, and management has been entrusted to the Rijeka Tourist Board for a multi-year period. In practice, this means a stronger focus on programs that have both cultural and tourist value, with the ambition that locations are used throughout the year, not just in the peak season.

For events like the children's celebration, such a framework facilitates coordination – from preparing the space and logistics to the atmosphere created by decorations and music. At the same time, manifestations in the castle space also have a practical effect: visitors who come for the program often stay longer, look around Trsat, use catering offers in the vicinity, or go down to the city center. At the end of the year, when increased movement of guests is recorded, such contents contribute to the impression that Rijeka is experienced "outdoors", in living contact with the city and its locations.

Organizational details that parents notice the most

The success of events for children is often measured by small things. At Trsat, the program had a clear structure: an entrance part with the distribution of props, continuous animation that holds attention, and a highlight at noon followed by a calm ending. Such dynamics help avoid "idle time" due to which children quickly get tired or become impatient, and it makes planning the day easier for parents – especially those who continue family obligations or travel after Trsat.

A sense of safety is also important. Although every large gathering carries challenges, the daytime slot, good visibility of the space, and focus on non-violent effects like balloons and props make the ambiance pleasant and predictable. Parents had enough space to accompany children, and children received a channel for energy through games and music, which often accumulates during holiday days. Who wants to stay and explore the city longer can also consider accommodation in Rijeka for a family weekend, especially if planning to combine Trsat with other winter contents in the city.

What remains after the balloons: community, memories, and message

The children's New Year's Eve celebration at Trsat Castle on December 31, 2025, once again confirmed that holidays do not have to be reduced to late hours and programs intended exclusively for adults. Through animation, music, creative activities, and symbolic countdown at noon, the youngest got their moment in which they were the main audience, and the city got an event that connects generations.

For Rijeka, which has been strongly developing its event identity at historical locations in recent years, the children's celebration at Trsat also has a wider value: it shows that cultural heritage can be alive and accessible, without losing the dignity of the space. In a time when much is said about the safety of pyrotechnics and how accessible family programs are, such a "celebration tailored to children" offers a simple picture of celebration: loud with laughter, colorful with balloons, and warm enough to enter the new year with a smile, without rush and without late hours.

Sources:
- Visit Rijeka (Rijeka Tourist Board) – announcement "Gradina of Lights: Children's New Year's Eve Celebration at Noon" with time and program points ( link )
- MojaRijeka – event calendar with program description and noon balloon "fireworks" ( link )
- Dogadanja.com – announcement "Winter at Gradina: Children's New Year's Eve Celebration" (December 31, 2025) with listed program duration ( link )
- City of Rijeka – information on the management of Trsat Castle and investments in public tourist infrastructure ( link )
- Visit Rijeka (culture and heritage) – description of Trsat Castle and its role in cultural programs ( link )
- City of Rijeka – notice on entrance fee working hours (from October 15, 2025) ( link )