The picturesque Istrian town of Motovun, perched high above the Mirna valley, is once again transforming into one of the most desirable Advent stages in Croatia this winter. The old town core, surrounded by medieval walls and stone alleys that wind towards the main square, turns into a fully illuminated backdrop for a holiday story titled Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun in December. Last year, the event was awarded the title of the most beautiful Advent in Croatia in the municipality category by an expert jury from the portal Gradonačelnik.hr, further solidifying its status as one of the most attractive winter destinations in Istria.

This December, from December 12 to 28, Motovun offers a rich program for all ages on weekends starting from late afternoon – from children's plays, creative workshops, and film screenings to evening concerts by regionally famous performers. On the main square, alongside the indispensable Advent houses and the scents of mulled wine, visitors can expect a series of special activities intended for families, so many choose precisely accommodation in Motovun for a long weekend and an escape from everyday life.

The second Advent weekend stands out in particular, from Friday, December 19, to Sunday, December 21, bringing an emphasized family program as well as attractive musical performances. During this period, Motovun combines morning and afternoon activities for children with evening concerts, creating an atmosphere enjoyed equally by the youngest and adults.

Second Advent weekend: a blend of family fun and concerts

The second weekend of the Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun event is designed to bring the youngest out to the streets and squares starting from early afternoon, followed by evening concerts and socializing with music. The program is divided between the main square and the iconic Bauer Cinema, while in the background, one can always feel the spirit of the old town and the view of the Mirna valley opening up behind the ramparts. Many visitors, especially families with children, opt for a full weekend stay and choose family accommodation in Motovun to follow all programs without rushing.

Friday, December 19 – children's performance, Santa Claus, and Tacoor

Friday afternoon opens in the spirit of children and the local community. On the stage located on the main square, with decorations emphasizing the warmth of a small Istrian town, students from the local primary school and children from the Motovun kindergarten will perform their program. The children's performance, scheduled for 4:30 PM, usually gathers parents, relatives, and friends who fill the square and turn it into a large, open-air auditorium.

One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend is planned for 5:15 PM – the arrival of Santa Claus. As part of the event, a formal welcome has been organized for children from the Municipality of Motovun area, during which Santa Claus receives letters and distributes appropriate gift packages. The little ones usually push towards the stage in this part of the program, wanting a photo and a moment of conversation with Santa, while parents record every second on their mobile phones.

After the children's part of the program, DJ Hoky takes over the rhythm on the main square, warming up the audience from 6 PM with a selection of pop, funk, and local hits. The local audience knows him well from numerous Istrian events, and his set perfectly blends the holiday atmosphere with dance rhythms, preparing the ground for the highlight of the evening – a concert by the Istrian hip-hop funk collective Tacoor.

From 8:30 PM, Tacoor takes the stage, a group that combines hip-hop, funk, a brass section, and an energetic stage presentation. The band consists of experienced musicians, former and current members of various Istrian and Croatian bands, and they are recognizable for their witty lyrics and infectious rhythms. In the ambiance of the Motovun square, surrounded by historical facades and lighting that illuminates the frontages, Tacoor's performance promises an evening to remember, especially for visitors who love dance music with a strong live sound. After the concert, socializing on the square usually continues, and those who have chosen apartments in Motovun can enjoy until the later hours without worry.

Saturday, December 20 – family day and evening with Grupa Vigor

Saturday is traditionally the most visited day of the Motovun Advent, and the second weekend is no exception. The Advent houses on the square start working from 4 PM, so many visitors arrive as early as the afternoon to walk peacefully through the old town core, stop by the Christmas Garden and Santa Claus's House, and warm up with mulled wine or hot tea. Walking along the decorated walls and then returning to romantic accommodation in Motovun is one of the most sought-after winter combinations among couples wanting to spend the weekend in Istria.

At 5 PM at the Bauer Cinema, a screening of the animated film "Ozi: Voice of the Forest" is scheduled, a family story that combines adventure, humor, and an ecological message. The screening is adapted for children, but also for adults who love animated films with a clear message about caring for nature. Bauer Cinema, hidden in the heart of the old town core, provides a special experience as it is entered directly from the decorated square, and after the screening, visitors find themselves in the middle of the Advent bustle again.

The evening on the square is reopened by DJ Hoky at 6:30 PM, preparing the audience for Saturday's concert highlight – the performance of Grupa Vigor at 8:30 PM. This popular Slavonian band has been conquering the radio airwaves and concert stages throughout the region in recent years with their recognizable pop sound and hits that the audience sings in unison. In the surroundings of stone houses and holiday lights, Vigor's energy and communication with the audience promise a Saturday that will make many dance, regardless of the temperature.

As a large number of visitors is expected at the same time, the organizers are introducing free shuttle transport again this year between the parking lot at the foot of the hill and the entrance to the old town core. On Saturdays from 8 PM, or after the upper parking lots are filled, the shuttle circles between the foot and the top, facilitating the arrival of visitors and reducing crowds in the narrow streets. For all those staying overnight, timely reservation of accommodation in Motovun is recommended, as capacities for the second Advent weekend fill up early.

Sunday, December 21 – children's play and Christmas cinema

The conclusion of the weekend puts the emphasis on the children's program and a pleasant family atmosphere. At 4 PM at the Bauer Cinema, the play "Adventures and Misadventures in Elf School" produced by "Zemlja Zabave" will be performed. It is an interactive theater story in which young viewers meet elves, their school adventures, and preparations for Christmas, and the whole play encourages children's imagination and involves them in the plot through questions, song, and play.

After the play, at 5:30 PM, another screening follows as part of the Christmas Cinema – the film "Wicked: Part Two – Wicked: For Good", which brings the sequel to the popular story of good and evil, friendship, and the power of choice. Many use the break between the play and the film for a walk to the Advent houses on the square, where they can warm up with hot chocolate or mulled wine, eat fritule or sausages, and cast a final glance from the city walls at the Mirna valley at sunset.

The Sunday program on the square is concluded by DJ Hoky, who from 7 PM selects a slightly calmer but still danceable repertoire, perfect for slowly bringing another weekend spent in the winter magic of Motovun to a close. Many visitors, especially families with children, use Sunday specifically to return home after visiting the Christmas Garden, Santa Claus's House, and enjoying the gastro offer during the weekend.

Christmas Garden, Santa Claus's House, and the magical ambiance of the walls

The central asset of the Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun event is not just the rich program, but also the impressive scenography. The heart of the old town core is decorated with thousands of lights descending from the facades, spilling over the squares and creating a play of light visible even from the foot of the hill. Located in the garden of the Motovun walls is the Christmas Garden, a specially designed space with installations, light decorations, and photo points that attract visitors to linger, take photos, and share their impressions on social media.

As part of the Christmas Garden, there is also Santa Claus's House, an indispensable destination for the youngest. There, children can hand over letters, take photos with Santa, and tell him their holiday wishes, while parents wait patiently in line and enjoy the view of the illuminated walls. A special charm is given by the fact that everything takes place in an authentic historical setting – Motovun is one of the most recognizable medieval towns in Istria, and precisely that backdrop distinguishes its Advent from numerous other events.

Walking along the walls is particularly popular at dusk, when views open towards the Mirna valley and nearby hills. Many visitors opt for an all-day stay – morning sightseeing of the surroundings, lunch in one of the local restaurants, and then afternoon and evening in the old town core and a return to accommodation in Motovun. Thus, Advent is not just about a concert or a screening, but about the entire experience of the place.

Tastes and scents of Advent houses on the Motovun square

On the main square, which is the central stage of most programs, Advent houses with a diverse offer of food and drinks operate during Advent. Working hours start at 4 PM, so as early as the afternoon, one can smell mulled wine, hot gin, chocolate drinks, and holiday treats. Classic fritule, pancakes, and sausages are complemented by local Istrian specialties – from sausages with added truffles to various versions of bruschettas and bites combining olive oil, cheese, and prosciutto.

Those who want to taste something different often choose the gastro offer with local wines and craft beers, while hot fruit drinks for children stand out in the non-alcoholic beverage offer. Advent houses in Motovun are designed to encourage visitors to stay – next to each stall, there are usually high tables, gas heaters or fire pits burning, and the atmosphere is particularly pleasant when a concert or DJ performance is taking place on the stage. Many visitors spend the largest part of the evening right there, on the square, before retiring to their apartments in Motovun.

Along with food and drinks, part of the houses is dedicated to local producers and artisans – from souvenirs and handicrafts to products made of lavender, olive oil, honey, and wine. Advent thus also becomes a place where original Christmas gifts can be found, often connected to the tradition of central Istria.

Practical information: arrival, parking, and shuttle transport

Motovun is located in central Istria and is easily accessible by car from the direction of Pazin, Poreč, Buzet, or from the Istrian Ypsilon. The drive from most Istrian coastal towns takes between 30 and 60 minutes, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or an Advent weekend. Already from the foot of the hill, visitors notice the illuminated walls and the recognizable silhouette of the town on the elevation.

During the event, entrance to all events is free, and free parking is available to visitors. The organizers allow parking at the foot of the hill, as well as in the upper parking lots next to the old town core, while for days of increased visits, especially the second weekend, a free shuttle transport has been organized connecting the parking lot at the foot with the entrance to the town. In this way, traffic in the narrow streets is relieved, and visitors can enjoy the program without stress.

For touring the old town core and participating in the Advent program, comfortable footwear is recommended, as the streets are paved with stone and the climb to the square can be steep. It is good to bring warmer clothes and gloves, since a good part of the program takes place outdoors, especially concerts and DJ performances. Families with children often choose to arrive earlier in the afternoon, so that along with Advent they can visit the surrounding viewpoints and at the end of the day return to family accommodation in Motovun.

The detailed program by day, as well as possible schedule changes due to weather conditions, can be checked on the official pages of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Motovun (tz-motovun.hr) and on the event's social media profiles. Photos from previous evenings are also regularly published there, so those coming from afar can get an impression of the atmosphere before arrival.

Motovun as an ideal winter refuge

Although the first association with Motovun for many is the summer film festival, in recent years this Istrian town has been increasingly building a winter story. The Advent event Magic on the Hill has attracted the attention of both the profession and the public in a short period. The expert jury of the portal Gradonačelnik.hr awarded it the title of the most beautiful Advent in Croatia in the municipality category, and numerous visitors who return year after year confirm that the award is well-deserved.

Unlike large city Advent events, Motovun offers a more intimate experience of the holidays – instead of large avenues, visitors are greeted by narrow cobbled streets, stone houses, and a view of the Mirna valley that opens behind every corner. Precisely in this combination of authenticity, historical heritage, and carefully designed program lies the reason why many choose a long weekend in accommodation in Motovun as their main December trip.

Magic on the Hill is thus not just the name of the event, but also a quite precise description of the experience: lights shimmering on stone facades, music spreading through the square, children's laughter in the Christmas Garden, and the scents of holiday specialties create an atmosphere that is hard to convey with a photo. The second Advent weekend, with emphasized family content, concerts by Tacoor and Grupa Vigor, and a series of accompanying programs, is an ideal opportunity to experience what December looks like on one of the most famous Istrian hills.