New Year's Eve at noon has become a trademark of the city of Novi Marof and the entire Varaždin County. Instead of the classic countdown to midnight, here the last day of the year is celebrated outdoors, in the middle of the day, with music, recreation, and socializing for all generations. This year too, on December 31, 2025, in the area in front of the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center, visitors can expect a rich program that combines an active stay in the fresh air and a relaxed holiday atmosphere.

The "New Year's at Noon" event has been recognized for years as an ideal choice for families with children, recreationists, mountaineers, and all those who want to greet the New Year earlier, and spend the rest of the day in the company of friends or in the warmth of their homes. In just a few hours, from morning gatherings to the symbolic "entry into the New Year" exactly at noon, Novi Marof turns into a large outdoor gathering, with local specialties, good music, and a series of accompanying activities.

New Year's at Noon in front of the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center

The central event takes place in front of the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center, a modern cultural hub located on Antun Mihanović Street, just a few minutes' walk from the inner center of Novi Marof. The program officially begins at 10:30 AM, and the entertainment on the open stage lasts until 2:00 PM, with a constant influx of participants returning from the cycling tour or hiking walk.

The band EX Zodiac is in charge of the musical part of the program this year as well, whose repertoire is already well known to the audience in northern Croatia. Rock, pop, and domestic hits with which they raise the atmosphere have become part of the identity of this celebration – the organizers like to emphasize that "great music is a Novi Marof trademark". While the band plays, visitors can warm up with mulled wine, tea, and other winter drinks, and taste the food offer prepared by local associations and caterers.

A special atmosphere is also created by the fact that everything takes place during the day: photos with a full square, a clear winter sky, and colorful balloons rising into the air at noon have adorned the promotional materials of this event for years. Precisely because of that combined feeling of safety, warmth, and community, the slogan "Because safe is safe" perfectly describes the spirit of the New Year's at noon in Novi Marof.

Winter "Shic on a Bic" – winter version of the popular bike ride

For all visitors who want to spend the last day of the year as actively as possible, the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Marof and the Youth for Marof association are preparing a winter cycling tour called "Winter Shic on a Bic" (Zimski šic na bic). It is a winter version of the already famous bike ride that gathers a large number of recreational riding enthusiasts throughout the year.

Cyclists gather in the morning hours in Novi Marof, from where they set off for a relaxed ride through the surrounding settlements and hills. The route is designed to be accessible to recreational cyclists, but diverse enough to provide the feeling of a real excursion on two wheels – it combines shorter ascents and descents, panoramic views of the Zagorje hills, and passing by smaller villages and agricultural farms.

After the circular ride, the participants of "Winter Shic on a Bic" return precisely to the main area of "New Year's at Noon", where music, hot drinks, and socializing with the rest of the visitors await them. The cycling tour is thus not a separate event, but an integral part of the entire program – the day opens with recreation, and then the pleasant physical activity naturally continues into a casual celebration on the square.

The organizers emphasize that "Winter Shic on a Bic" is intended for a wide circle of participants – both experienced cyclists and families with older children are welcome, while the Youth for Marof association and volunteers who lead the group, monitor the riding pace, and watch out for traffic have taken care of safety. A helmet, layered winter clothing, and reflective vests are recommended, especially if coming to Novi Marof by bicycle from surrounding places.

Walk through Rabuzin's Hills – a blend of nature, art, and history

The second active component of the program is the "Walk through Rabuzin's Hills", an easy hiking-recreational tour intended for everyone who wants to spend the last day of the year in motion, but without a bicycle. Departure is in the morning hours at the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center, from where one sets off on a marked trail approximately ten kilometers long.

Walkers are led by a licensed hiking guide, and the route passes through the hills that the world-famous painter Ivan Rabuzin often depicted on his canvases. Due to the curved lines of the landscape, lavish colors, and characteristic clouds, Rabuzin's paintings are recognizable all over the world, and a walk through "his" hills is an opportunity to experience in reality the ambience that inspired the artist.

Besides natural beauties, an excursion into local history awaits the participants: one of the attractions on the route is a tour of the underground tunnel, that is, the former military shelter. Entering that space is the "icing on the cake" of the tour for many – a rare opportunity to peek into the underground structures hidden beneath the gentle landscape above Novi Marof. After touring the tunnel, walkers gradually return towards the Cultural Center to arrive at the main part of the program exactly before noon.

Balloons, tombola, and content for the youngest

Although recreational programs are a strong asset of the event, "New Year's at Noon" in Novi Marof is primarily designed as a family event. Special emphasis is placed on the youngest visitors, who every year impatiently await the moment when the balloons will rise into the sky.

Exactly at noon, while EX Zodiac plays New Year's tunes on stage, children and parents count down the last seconds of the "old" year together. In one moment, hundreds of balloons are released into the air and create a recognizable scene – a colorful sky above the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center and the smiling faces of children waving balloons and photographing memories. For many, precisely that moment is the reason why they return to Novi Marof year after year.

Along with the balloons, a tombola is organized with prizes provided by local sponsors and donors. Participation in the tombola additionally contributes to the humanitarian and communal note of the event – visitors have the opportunity to win symbolic prizes, but also to support the work of associations and the local community. On the very area around the stage, stands with products from local family farms, handicrafts, and Christmas souvenirs are often set up, which gives the whole event a fair-like touch.

Gastronomic offer and socializing after the program

It is difficult to imagine a winter celebration outdoors without hot bites. Novi Marof associations and caterers take care of this, offering traditional dishes on stands and in surrounding facilities – from sausages and stews to cakes and sweets. In combination with mulled wine, hot chocolate, or hot tea, visitors can warm up even after a long bike ride or returning from the walk through Rabuzin's hills.

The official New Year's at noon program ends at 2:00 PM, but the fun does not stop there. Many visitors continue socializing in cafes and restaurants in the center of Novi Marof, where the atmosphere is "transferred" from the square under the roofs. Those returning home have enough time to rest, prepare the New Year's dinner, or continue the celebration in one of the surrounding cities – that is precisely why many consider the celebration at noon a perfect compromise between an active day and a peaceful New Year's night.

How to get to Novi Marof and practical tips for visitors

The city of Novi Marof is located in Varaždin County, approximately 60 kilometers north of Zagreb. It is situated along an important road connecting central and northern Croatia, so arrival is possible by private car, bus, or train. From the direction of Zagreb, the road distance is slightly more than 60 kilometers, and the journey by car takes approximately one hour, depending on traffic.

For visitors coming by public transport, regular bus lines connect Zagreb and Novi Marof, and trains also operate towards Varaždin with a transfer, which enables arrival from different parts of northern Croatia. Upon arrival in the city, the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center is located just a few minutes' walk from the bus stop and main city amenities, so it is not necessary to use additional transport.

Considering that the event is held outdoors, layered clothing and footwear adapted to winter are recommended. Those planning to participate in the "Winter Shic on a Bic" or "Walk through Rabuzin's Hills" should bring sports clothing, gloves, a hat, and water, and for cyclists, a helmet and reflective vest are practically mandatory. Since it is a family event, many visitors come to Novi Marof already in the morning hours, reserving the whole day for a stay outdoors.

Why celebrate New Year exactly at noon?

The concept of celebrating New Year at noon is especially attractive to families with small children and everyone who prefers daytime gatherings to long night outings. Children do not have to stay awake until late at night to feel the magic of the New Year's countdown, and parents get the opportunity to spend quality time in the air, instead of indoors.

In addition, the last day of the year is often filled with obligations – from finishing work tasks to preparing food for the evening. The celebration at noon in Novi Marof has become a practical solution for many: a few hours of recreation, socializing, and music in the morning give the feeling that the day was used well, and the afternoon and evening remain free for more intimate celebrations or rest.

An additional value is the feeling of safety – the event is held during the day, outdoors, with the presence of organizers, volunteers, and services in charge of order. Given the long-standing experience in organization and positive reactions of visitors, the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Marof, the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center, and the Youth for Marof association upgrade the program year after year, but the basic idea remains the same: a simple, sincere, and relaxed celebration, "because safe is safe".

For additional information about the program, schedules, and possible changes due to weather conditions, visitors can follow the announcements of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Marof and the "Ivan Rabuzin" Cultural Center, as well as social networks where news, photos, and impressions from previous editions of the event are regularly shared. Information is also published on the official Facebook event of New Year's at Noon in Novi Marof, so it is easy to plan the whole day in Novi Marof – from morning recreation to the noon countdown and continuation of socializing in pleasant company.