The Garden of Lights transforms Trsat into a Christmas fairytale again
Trsat Castle in Rijeka is once again the central stage for holiday events this winter. Under the name Garden of Lights: Winter at the Garden, the historic fortress above the city transforms from late November 2025 to early January 2026 into a fairytale meeting place, a spot for family excursions, and romantic winter walks. Thousands of lights, lavish installations, and carefully designed scenography create the impression that the entire castle is immersed in a light story that highlights its history, but also the contemporary rhythm of the city.
The event is an integral part of Rijeka Advent, which this year bears the slogan "Source of Good Feelings" and takes place at several locations in the city – from the Korzo and the Rijeka waterfront to the Export ice rink and the Art Quarter. Trsat plays a special role in this: The Garden of Lights connects the Advent atmosphere with cultural heritage, so visitors get both the experience of the old castle and a complete Christmas backdrop with gastronomic offers, music, and programs for children in one tour.
The magic of light and scenography on the historic fortress
The walls of Trsat Castle have been recognizable for years for their impressive holiday lighting. The spaces inside the Garden are illuminated by kilometers of lights, garlands, and light curtains that follow the lines of the walls, towers, and walkways. The center of attention is often the monumental light installation inspired by the famous Votive Crown, a symbol of the city and its Marian tradition, which stands out on the lawn inside the castle and makes for a favorite motif in visitors' photos.
In addition to large decorations, visitors are welcomed by numerous details: light arches on the approach to the castle, illuminated stone stairs, decorative balls and installations located along the ramparts, and carefully arranged photo corners. It is precisely these smaller elements that create the impression that every level of the Garden is specially designed – from the entrance and the inner courtyard to the terraces overlooking the city and the Kvarner Bay. In its holiday attire, Trsat Castle thus functions as a large scenic backdrop that combines historic architecture and contemporary light design.
For numerous visitors, an important part of the experience includes the Christmas nativity scene, imaginative decorations in the interior spaces, and traditional motifs such as Advent wreaths and wooden houses. Winter at the Garden does not rely only on visual impressions; the schedule of music, children's workshops, and occasional events is set so that a visit can always last longer – from walking and taking photos to stopping for a warm drink or a bite at one of the catering points.
Winter at the Garden 2025/2026 – dates, program, and concept
This year's edition of the manifestation Winter at the Garden officially began on November 30, 2025, with the ceremonial lighting of the lights and the opening of Santa Claus' Post Office. The program continues continuously until the end of December, while part of the content extends into the first days of January 2026, in accordance with the Rijeka Advent calendar. Visitors can walk through the decorated space of the Garden of Lights daily throughout the entire period, while thematic programs take place according to pre-announced schedules.
According to the official program of the Rijeka Tourist Board, entrance to the manifestation itself is free, and the emphasis is on family content, children, and all generations who want to spend an evening in a holiday atmosphere. Special attention is paid to weekends and holidays when the schedule is enriched with DJ sets, live performances, and thematic events. In the finale of December, a key role is played by Christmas days, the family Family Day, and the final New Year's Eve celebration with a children's program and music late into the night.
Family Day December 27 – family afternoon at the Garden of Lights
The central family event of the holiday weekend at Trsat Castle is held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, when Family Day is on the program from 12 PM to 3 PM. The afternoon is designed as a combination of animation programs, music, and creative activities in which children and parents participate together. The goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere in which families can spend a few hours outdoors, with lots of laughter and without haste.
The space of the Garden will be enlivened by charming stilt walkers who bring a touch of circus and street art by walking and interacting with visitors, while creative balloon modeling, face painting, and dance workshops will additionally delight the youngest. Face painting is especially popular among children, who often choose motifs of Christmas reindeer, snowflakes, or holiday characters, and dance workshops allow parents to participate equally in the program.
The musical framework for Family Day is provided by a DJ who plays holiday and pop hits adapted to the family atmosphere throughout the afternoon. The program takes place without a classic stage – instead of a formal concert performance, performers move through the space, stop at different points, and perform in direct contact with the audience. This emphasizes the intimate dimension of the event: instead of visitors standing in front of a stage, the entire castle becomes the stage.
A special tone is given to the event by the performances of the children's choir Tratinčice, students of the Small School of Singing, and the First Rijeka Majorettes. The child performers are at the same time ambassadors of Winter at the Garden – with their songs and choreographies, they bring the holiday spirit closer to their peers, while parents and visitors can move freely around the castle, take photos, or join in the dancing. Family Day is envisioned as a kind of bridge between Christmas and New Year's events, ideal for a family excursion after holiday gatherings in the circle of loved ones.
Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the holiday weekend – music program at the castle
Already on Christmas Eve, December 24, the Garden of Lights offers a combination of a pleasant daytime atmosphere and an evening out. From 12 PM to 4 PM, DJ Doctor No is in charge of the music, combining evergreens, pop classics, and contemporary hits in a holiday rhythm. After him, DJ Steve Lokki performs, whose set extends until 9 PM, so visitors are encouraged to spend part of the day in relaxed socializing at Trsat after Christmas preparations and a walk through the city.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, after the traditional Christmas lunch, visitors return to the castle. From 6 PM to 9 PM, the audience is entertained by DJ Super Saiyan, known for energetic sets in which disco, house, and funk rhythms intertwine. Dancing under the stars on the historic fortress thus becomes a kind of "holiday gym" – an informal opportunity for those who have enjoyed a rich holiday feast in the previous days to stretch out with music.
The holiday rhythm continues on St. Stephen's Day, December 26, with the Blu Kanu duo. It is an acoustic group that performs covers of the greatest pop and rock hits, relying on a more intimate, "unplugged" approach. The atmosphere is intended for those who love the Christmas atmosphere but are looking for something calmer than a DJ program – perfect for an afternoon or evening outing after a family lunch.
The Christmas weekend ends on Sunday, December 28, when the E’n’P duo performs from 6 PM to 9 PM. The program is envisioned as a musical journey through famous hits that the audience easily accepts, with an emphasis on vocal performance and contact with visitors. In combination with the already existing Advent content, the weekend at the Garden thus becomes a rounded whole – from family fun during the day to musical evenings for all who want to prolong the holiday atmosphere.
The program then continues according to the official schedule of the Winter at the Garden manifestation, in which additional DJ performances are planned for December 29 and 30, while December 31 includes a children's New Year's Eve celebration in the morning hours and an evening celebration with a music program and dancing until after midnight. With this, the Garden of Lights rounds off the Christmas period and symbolically closes the holiday story above the city.
Santa Claus' Post Office and content for the youngest
One of the trademarks of Winter at the Garden is Santa Claus' Post Office, which operates at Trsat Castle from November 30 to Christmas Eve. In the period from Friday to Sunday, little ones can come there in the morning and evening, while on the eve of Christmas, the office is also open during extended hours. Children accompanied by parents have the opportunity to write a letter to Santa Claus, decorate it with drawings and stickers, and personally drop it into a special mailbox.
Besides writing letters, short creative workshops, stories, and gatherings with elves are often organized in the space of the Post Office. The concept is designed so that the youngest experience the Christmas magic as a personal experience – instead of just looking at decorations, they actively participate in the program. For parents, this is an opportunity to capture a few photos they will remember, while children leave the event with the feeling that they have truly sent their wishes to the North Pole.
Santa Claus' Post Office complements the wider offer for children at the Garden of Lights: from animation content and workshops to occasional games and visits by mascots. The combination of light installations, live encounters, and the possibility for children to get involved in the program themselves is the reason why many families plan at least one visit to Trsat during Advent every year.
The Garden of Lights as part of Rijeka's Advent story
Winter at the Garden is one of the seven Advent "stories" that make up the whole of Rijeka Advent. During December and early January, the city is divided into thematic zones: The Korzo of Meetings, The Resolution of Fun, The Waterfront of Experiences, The Garden of Lights, The Art Quarter of Magic, The Export Ice Box with an ice rink, and The Neighborhoods of Lights in residential parts of the city. Each location has its own emphasis – from concert programs and street food offers to ice rinks, creative workshops, and theater events.
Trsat Castle is recognized in that map as a place that to the greatest extent combines historical heritage and a contemporary Advent experience. Visitors are attracted by the view of the city, the rich lighting, and the content intended for families. Many plan their tour so that they explore the center of Rijeka and other Advent locations during the day, and in the afternoon or evening complete the experience of the city with a climb to Trsat. For those coming from other parts of Croatia or from abroad, Winter at the Garden is often a key motive to look for accommodation in Rijeka during the holidays and spend the whole weekend there.
How to get to Trsat and plan a visit
Trsat Castle is located above the center of Rijeka, on a hill offering a view of the city and the Kvarner Bay. It is possible to reach the Garden of Lights by private vehicle, city bus, or on foot. Drivers are recommended to pay attention to crowds during weekends and holidays, especially in the evening hours, when there are the most visitors. Those who want to avoid searching for a parking space can cover part of the journey by public transport.
Rijeka and Trsat are connected by city bus lines that drive towards Trsat and surrounding neighborhoods. Among them is the line bearing the designation Trsat – Srdoči, and traffic information and departure schedules are available on the websites of the city carrier and via public transport applications. For visitors coming to the city by train or bus, it is practical to start from the center, where the main stops towards Trsat are located.
Lovers of walking can also climb to the castle on foot, via the famous Trsat stairs. That climb takes about twenty minutes, depending on the pace, but offers a completely different experience of the city and the Kvarner Bay. Many visitors combine walking and public transport – for example, they use the bus in one direction, and in the return, they descend the stairs towards the center.
For all who plan an extended weekend or a holiday escape to Rijeka, it is practical to consider accommodation near Trsat Castle or in the city center in advance, so that Advent locations are easily accessible on foot or by a short drive. Family visitors often choose options that offer parking and good access to public transport, while couples and smaller groups choose accommodation closer to evening entertainment and gastro offers.
Tickets, benefits, and tips for visitors
Entrance to the manifestation Garden of Lights: Winter at the Garden is announced as free for visitors, which contributes to the event being accessible to a wide circle of citizens and guests. An additional benefit introduced in 2025 relates to residents of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, who have the right to free entry to Trsat Castle as part of the county project for the valorization of Frankopan heritage. This further facilitates access for the local community to the historical site which, especially during the holiday season, becomes one of the most visited places in the city.
Visitors are advised, especially on weekends and on days of major events like Family Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve, to plan their arrival a bit earlier. This avoids crowds on approaches and in parking lots, and the walk through the illuminated space can begin in a calmer atmosphere. Warmer clothing is also recommended, because although Rijeka is known for relatively mild winters, the open space of the castle is exposed to wind, especially the bura.
For those spending more days in Rijeka, Winter at the Garden can be the central point of an evening out, while during the day there remains enough time for sightseeing museums, walking along the Korzo, or visiting other Advent locations. It is especially practical to book accommodation for a family weekend at Trsat or in the city center in advance, so that holiday activities can fit more easily into one or more days of stay.
A holiday experience to remember
Winter at the Garden confirms again this year why Trsat Castle is one of the most special places in the Rijeka Advent calendar. The combination of lavish lighting, historical scenery, a carefully designed program, and an emphasis on family atmosphere makes the Garden of Lights a destination to which visitors gladly return. From children meeting Santa Claus in the post office, through family socializing on Family Day, to evening DJ programs and the New Year's celebration, everyone can find their own reason to come to Trsat.
For many residents of Rijeka and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, a visit to Winter at the Garden has become a holiday tradition – a moment in the year when, with family and friends, with a view of the city, one pauses for a moment and enjoys the lights, music, and togetherness. At the same time, an increasing number of guests from other parts of Croatia and neighboring countries are discovering the Garden of Lights as a strong motive to choose precisely Rijeka for their Advent excursion or New Year's stay.
Sources:
- Rijeka Tourist Board – official description and calendar of the manifestation "Garden of Lights: Winter at the Garden" (visitrijeka.hr)
- Visit Rijeka – information about the program "Winter at the Garden" and the Advent concept Rijeka Advent 2025/2026 (visitrijeka.hr)
- Dogadanja.com – announcement of the event "Garden of Lights: Winter at the Garden" 2025 with dates of DJ performances and Family Day program (dogadanja.com)
- City of Rijeka / Rijeka Advent – official information about the manifestation Rijeka Advent 2025/2026 and seven Advent locations in the city (visitrijeka.hr and rijeka.hr)
- Local media and reports – descriptions of lighting, decorations, and programs at Trsat Castle during previous editions of the manifestation (extravagant.com.hr, torpedo.media, riportal.net.hr)
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