Grand finale of Motovun's "Magic on the Hill": three days of music, film, and family Advent atmosphere
Motovun, the picturesque Istrian town on the hilltop above the Mirna valley, is once again the center of one of the most special Advent stories in Croatia this holiday season. The event "Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun" enters its final weekend, from Friday, December 26th to Sunday, December 28th, 2025, when the largest number of visitors is expected, with a richer program and a particularly emphasized holiday atmosphere in the old town center. Visitors on the main square and in the surroundings of the historic walls can expect concerts, children's plays, film screenings, a "Christmas Garden", stalls with fragrant Istrian specialties, and appropriate programs for all generations.
This Advent program, which was declared the most beautiful in Croatia last year in the municipality category according to the evaluation of the expert jury of the portal Gradonačelnik.hr, has further cemented Motovun on the map of winter destinations. The awarded concept combines the authentic ambiance of a medieval town, carefully designed lighting and decorations, and a strong emphasis on local performers, family content, and local gastronomy. For visitors who want to extend their stay and experience the magic over several days, various accommodation offers in Motovun are available, from small family boarding houses to apartments with a view of the misty hills and vineyards.
Motovun in holiday attire: historic walls, thousands of lights, and the Christmas Garden
During December, Motovun transforms into a fairytale open-air stage. The heart of the old town center, from the main square to the narrow stone streets, is decorated with thousands of lights, Christmas installations, and decorations that emphasize the architecture of the town founded in the Middle Ages. In the garden of the Motovun walls, the "Christmas Garden" is located, a light scenography that attracts families with children, but also everyone who wants photos with a view of the Mirna valley and Istrian hills. In a special corner arranged as "Santa Claus's House", the youngest can write a letter, leave their wishes, and take photos in a holiday ambiance.
Along with the rich scenography, an important part of the story is the "Christmas Cinema" in the Bauer cinema on the main Motovun square. The space of the cult cinema has been transformed into a cozy holiday gathering place for children, parents, and all lovers of family films. In the final weekend, screenings dedicated to the youngest will be shown there, with a combination of animated and live-action titles, and the cinema program is integrated into the wider schedule of events on the square, so visitors can easily combine a film, a walk through the town, and a concert during one afternoon and evening.
Program of Magic on the Hill 2025: concerts, children's content, and gastronomic offer
The third edition of the event "Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun 2025" lasts from December 12th to 28th, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 PM. During the first two weekends, the program has already brought a series of concerts, from the performance of Klapa Motovun and the traditional pre-Christmas concert in the parish church, through the Timeless Duets musical program, to evenings with Night Express and the group Vigor, and numerous DJ performances. This set the tone for this year's Advent: a combination of the local music scene, emphasis on family content, and extended evening gatherings on the main square.
Along with music, a major role is played by children's plays and programs realized by specialized theater troupes and animators. Plays in the "Christmas Cinema" are thematically related to the holidays, friendship, gift-giving, and children's imagination, and after the program ends, children and parents naturally transition to a walk through the town, mulled wine, hot chocolate, or fritule at the Advent stalls. It is precisely the combination of program content and gastronomic offer that is one of the main reasons why Motovun is increasingly chosen by guests from all over Istria, but also from other parts of Croatia and neighboring countries.
On the square itself, Advent stalls have been set up with a rich offer of savory and sweet delicacies. Visitors can taste Istrian sausages, warm sandwiches, pljukanci with sauces inspired by local dishes, creamy soups, but also unavoidable fritule, kroštule, and other holiday sweets. Also on offer are hot drinks – from mulled wine, through flavored teas, to hot drinks for children. For those who want to stay for more days and explore the wider gastronomic offer of the area, numerous taverns and restaurants in the vicinity offer seasonal menus, and it is recommended to book accommodation near the event venue in advance because interest in this year's Advent is continuously growing.
Friday, December 26th: energetic opening of the finale with Antonio Krištofić
The grand finale of "Magic on the Hill" begins on Friday, December 26th, 2025, when Motovun will turn into a large open concert stage. The evening program on the main square is opened by DJ Hoky, the resident of this year's Advent, who warms up the atmosphere from the early evening hours with a mix of domestic and foreign music. His sets, adapted for families, couples, and groups of all generations, have already attracted audiences to the square immediately after sunset on previous weekends.
The highlight of the evening arrives at 8:30 PM, when Antonio Krištofić, one of the most promising young musicians on the Croatian scene, takes the stage. Recognizable for energetic performances, a blend of pop sound and modern production solutions, Krištofić brings to Motovun a repertoire that combines original songs with popular hits that the audience gladly sings along to. The concert takes place in the intimate ambiance of the main square, surrounded by historic buildings and Christmas decorations, so visitors simultaneously get the experience of a musical spectacle and a small, almost club-like concert in the open air.
After the concert, the party continues with DJ Hoky, so Friday in Motovun traditionally extends into the late evening hours. For those coming from more distant parts of Istria or the continental part of Croatia, Friday is an ideal opportunity to start an extended weekend, with previously booked accommodation for visitors and planning additional activities in surrounding places during the day.
Saturday, December 27th: film for the youngest and Dalmatian emotion with Rišpet
Saturday, December 27th, combines a family program and a musical evening in a Dalmatian tone. The afternoon begins in the "Christmas Cinema" where a screening of the film "Christmas Mousetrap", a fun holiday story adapted for children and families, is announced at 5 PM. The film brings a warm, humorous plot, with a clear message about the importance of togetherness, friendship, and trust, which fits perfectly into the atmosphere of Advent. Cinema Bauer, located right next to the main square, thus becomes the first stop for many families before continuing the evening outdoors.
After the film screening, the program moves to the square where the DJ takes over the role of host and gradually builds the atmosphere ahead of tonight's main musical event. At 8:30 PM, Rišpet, a popular Dalmatian klapa known for a series of radio hits that combine klapa expression and pop sensibility, takes the stage. Their songs, from "Prsti zapleteni" through "Šta mi ljube oćeš kazat" to "Kad je pošla ća", have been filling halls and squares throughout the region for years, and the Motovun concert promises a special experience due to the unique ambiance of the old town center.
The concert of Rišpet in Motovun brings a touch of Dalmatian emotion to Istria, music to which one sings, dances, and remembers some of the most important life moments. In combination with Christmas decorations, hot drinks, and the scent of Istrian gastronomy around the Advent stalls, Saturday evening easily turns into one of the most memorable experiences of this year's "Magic on the Hill".
Sunday, December 28th: family day and closing of the program
The last day of the official program, Sunday, December 28th, is traditionally dedicated to families and the youngest. At 4 PM in the "Christmas Cinema", the children's play "Christmas in Fairyland" performed by Zemlja Zabave takes place. The play combines stage performance, movement, and music, with an emphasis on interaction with children, who through play and laughter participate in the story and help the characters to "save" the holidays. This format proved to be extremely popular in previous editions of Advent, as it simultaneously entertains children and leaves enough space for adults to enjoy the ambiance of the cinema.
The evening continues at 5:30 PM with the screening of the film "Paulina P.'s Second Diary", a screen adaptation of the novel by Miro Gavran. The film is intended for children and young people, but also for parents who want to recall school days and growing up. The story of Paulina, her school adventures, and first crushes, fits into a Sunday afternoon that combines fun and a gentle dose of nostalgia. After the screening, visitors can head back to the main square where the DJ takes care of the musical backdrop for the final evening, ensuring a light, relaxing rhythm as the Advent story nears its end.
In the later hours, as the program officially comes to a close, Motovun slowly returns to its daily rhythm. Many visitors will once again walk along the city walls, photograph the last frames of the illuminated Advent, and perhaps already plan their return next year. For those staying overnight or extending their stay in Istria, it is worth considering an additional tour of surrounding places and wine roads, with prior reservation of accommodation in Motovun and the surrounding area.
Arrival logistics: parking, shuttle, and access to the old town center
Due to the expected larger number of visitors during the final weekend, the organizers have announced additional measures to make entering the old town center as simple and safe as possible. Visitors arriving by car are directed to parking lots at the foot of the hill, where organized vehicle reception and clear signage for access to the town are provided. Parking is, according to the announcement, free from 3 PM during all days of the event, which allows arrival in the afternoon hours and a leisurely walk through the town before the start of the evening programs.
On Saturday, when the biggest crowd is expected due to the concert of Klapa Rišpet, upon filling the upper parking lots, a free shuttle transport will be organized between the parking lots at the foot of the hill and the entrance to the old town center. The shuttle should start from 8 PM, or as soon as the need arises due to a larger influx of vehicles, to avoid congestion on the narrow, winding road to the top. Visitors are advised to plan their arrival earlier, especially if they want to visit the "Christmas Garden", "Santa Claus's House", or try the gastro offer at the Advent stalls before the concert.
Due to the configuration of the terrain and cobblestones, comfortable footwear is recommended, especially for those planning a walk along the city walls or a longer stay outdoors. Motovun is known as one of the most beautiful Istrian hilltop towns with a view of vineyards and forests rich in truffles, so many visitors combine the Advent trip with a short winter walk along the surrounding paths. For such a travel plan, it is additionally practical to organize accommodation in Motovun in advance, in order to be able to enjoy morning coffee with a panoramic view without haste the day after the concert or family program.
Advent that strengthens the local community and extends the tourist season
"Magic on the Hill" is not just holiday entertainment, but also an important part of the strategy for developing year-round tourism in Motovun and central Istria. Advent attracts visitors in a period that is traditionally outside the main season, thereby extending the working period for local caterers, small entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and private renters. Advent stalls are often run by local food and drink producers, who present their products here – from wine and olive oils to cured meat delicacies and sweets – so the event also serves as a kind of fair of local specialties.
Additionally, the award for the most beautiful Advent in the municipality category confirmed that the effort invested in decorating the town and designing the program is recognized at the national level. The organizers emphasize that it is a joint project of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Motovun, the Municipality of Motovun, and the utility company Motovun park d.o.o., with the support of numerous associations, volunteers, and local partners. It is precisely this synergy of the local community that is one of the key reasons why "Magic on the Hill" has grown into a reference Advent event for smaller communities in Croatia in a few years.
For Motovun itself, which is already established as a summer destination thanks to the film festival, eno-gastro offer, and tourism related to truffles, Advent represents an important addition to the offer. The winter atmosphere on the hill, far from the massive crowds of big cities, attracts guests looking for a more intimate, relaxed holiday experience. A walk through the stone streets, a view of the illuminated hills, and the sound of music from the main square create an atmosphere that is difficult to reproduce in larger urban environments.
Motovun as a year-round destination
Although the focus these days is on Advent, the organizers and the local tourist board strive to use public attention to remind that Motovun is interesting throughout the year. In spring and autumn, it attracts lovers of active vacations, cyclists, and hikers, during the summer visitors of the film festival and eno-gastro events, and in winter guests who want a quieter vacation with good food and wine. The Advent "Magic on the Hill" is a logical conclusion and a kind of highlight of the year, after which Motovun briefly slows down before preparing for the new season.
For visitors who will come to Motovun for the first time this December precisely because of Advent, this year's program can be an introduction to some future trips. After a walk along the city walls, a view of the misty Mirna valley, and socializing on the illuminated square, many will wish to return in the warmer part of the year, explore the surrounding vineyards, wine roads, and forests in search of truffles. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is already an increasing interest in accommodation in Motovun throughout the year, and the Advent event plays a key role in promoting the town as an authentic, year-round destination.
The grand finale of "Magic on the Hill" from December 26th to 28th, 2025 is thus much more than the last weekend of Advent. It is an opportunity for music, film, children's joy, local gastronomy, and the unique ambiance of an Istrian hilltop town to meet in one place. Regardless of whether they come for the concert of Antonio Krištofić, the Dalmatian hits of Rišpet, or the family program in the "Christmas Cinema", visitors will take away memories from Motovun of holidays spent in a town that has become one of the most recognizable Advent symbols of the Istrian hinterland in a short time.
Sources:
- Tourist Board of the Municipality of Motovun – official announcement and program of the event "Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun 2025" (link)
- Colours of Istria – detailed program overview and promotional materials for Advent in Motovun (link)
- Glas Istre – news about the proclamation of "Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun" as the most beautiful Advent in Croatia in the municipality category (link)
- iPress – report on the selection for the most beautiful Advent in Croatia and the role of Motovun in that competition (link)
- Eurostar Umag – article about the title of the most beautiful Advent in the municipality category and the development of the Motovun Advent program (link)
- Visit Motovun / Croatia.hr – tourist description of Motovun and presentation of the Advent event "Magic on the Hill" (link)
- Travel and tourist portals about Motovun as an Istrian hilltop town, gastronomy, and year-round offer (e.g., saltinourhair.com, holidayvisitcroatia.com)
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