The City of Krk remains one of the most attractive coastal destinations for open-air New Year's Eve celebrations at the transition from 2025 to 2026. In the heart of the old town centre, in front of the recognizable semi-dome near the Great Park, an all-day program is being prepared for December 31, 2025, combining the tradition of the New Year's toast, Kvarner sparkling wines, a rich musical program, and relaxed socializing of residents, weekenders, and numerous guests who choose accommodation in the City of Krk to welcome the end of the year by the sea.

Under the motto of togetherness, the city invites all generations – families with children, younger visitors eager for a concert under the open sky, but also older ones who appreciate the ceremony of the noon toast and the atmosphere of the old stone city. Advent contents, decorations, and gastronomic offers create a scene in which programs naturally follow one another all day long, from morning DJ sets to the fiery evening performance of popular Croatian performers.

Through the thoughtfully designed schedule of events, the organizers' desire to consolidate Krk's position as one of the centers of New Year's Eve celebrations in Kvarner during this holiday season is clearly visible. The traditional New Year's toast with the mayor at noon, along with 1,000 glasses of sparkling wine, is part of a story that has been preserving the recognizable identity of the destination for years, while simultaneously supporting local winemakers gathered around the Kvarner wine scene. On the same day, when darkness falls over the old walls and the Krk waterfront, the stage in front of the semi-dome turns into a large dance floor again where the New Year 2026 is welcomed with Eni Jurišić, Vjeko Ključarić, Ana Cerovac, and Daniel Jurišević.

The Old Town as a Scenography for the New Year's Celebration

For those spending the last days of December in accommodation in the City of Krk, it is already known that the historic city core is transformed during Advent into a large promenade filled with light installations, scents of holiday delicacies, and the sound of live music. Stone streets, city walls, the square by the cathedral, and the promenade by the sea create an ambience in which visitors easily surrender to the relaxed rhythm of a winter vacation on the island of Krk – peaceful enough to allow a break from everyday life, but also lively enough to provide content late into the night.

The central place of New Year's events is the area in front of the semi-dome near the Great Park, well known to residents and numerous loyal guests. It is precisely there that the heart of the city celebration will pulse throughout the day on December 31, 2025. The morning program is intended for those who like to welcome the New Year earlier, in a more casual atmosphere and with the possibility of enjoying music and a good atmosphere with children or friends already from the morning hours.

At the same time, visitors coming to the City of Krk for just a one-day trip or a short weekend on the island often combine sightseeing of cultural landmarks – from the cathedral and the Frankopan Castle to a walk along the waterfront – with planning a return precisely to the semi-dome at the time of the toast or the evening concert. The numerous offer of accommodation in the City of Krk and its surroundings facilitates such a plan, so many decide to extend their stay and turn the New Year's Eve celebration into an extended winter vacation on the island.

Noon New Year's Toast and Daily Program

The all-day celebration begins already in the morning. At exactly 10:00 AM, DJ Danko takes over the stage, gradually warming up the atmosphere in the old town centre with his music selection. His sets traditionally combine holiday hits, pop and dance classics, and contemporary radio successes, creating a casual rhythm for drinking the first coffee, mulled wine, or a warm beverage at the Advent cottages.

An hour later, at 11:00 AM, the L’amour Band takes over the musical baton. Recognizable for energetic performances and a repertoire covering domestic and foreign pop, rock, and soul hits, the band members have been present on the Kvarner music scene for years. Their performances in the City of Krk often turn into a large joint party where the audience spontaneously sings and dances, and it is precisely such an atmosphere that the organizers want to achieve on the last day of 2025 as well.

The morning part of the program is ideal for everyone who wants to make use of daylight, the mild island climate, and a walk through the city. Families with children gladly linger in the Great Park, while other visitors choose a shorter walk along the waterfront or a visit to nearby viewpoints, after which they return in front of the semi-dome ahead of the most anticipated moment – the noon New Year's toast.

At exactly 12:00 PM, the City of Krk traditionally stops for a few minutes. The mayor of Krk comes out on stage, addressing the gathered citizens and guests with a New Year's greeting, looking back on the most important projects and events in the passing year, and sharing good wishes for the year 2026. At that moment, glasses of sparkling wine produced on the island of Krk and throughout Kvarner are raised, and the applause of the audience and the sound of the toast fill the space in front of the semi-dome.

After the toast, the musical program continues, again directed by the L’amour Band and DJ Danko. Many visitors choose precisely that part of the day for socializing with friends, colleagues, or family – there is enough time to enjoy the music, toast to the old year, and still retire earlier to rest in accommodation in the City of Krk or at one of the attractive locations on the island. Others use this daily program as an introduction to the evening celebration, so after the noon celebration, they continue sightseeing, buying local products, and preparing to return to the same place in the late evening hours.

1,000 Glasses of Kvarner Sparkling Wine – Tradition in a Glass

A special feature of the Krk New Year's toast is the strong connection with local winemaking. For decades, the island of Krk and the wider Kvarner region have been developing a recognizable wine story, in which indigenous varieties like Žlahtina and Trojišćina occupy a central place. It is precisely from these varieties that numerous sparkling wines have been created, which are associated with coastal holidays and festive moments by the sea throughout Croatia.

For the toast on December 31, 2025, in the City of Krk, a total of 1,000 glasses of sparkling wine is provided, and a carefully selected selection of wines will represent the diversity of the vineyards of the island of Krk and Kvarner. In cooperation with the Kvarner Wines Association and local winemakers, the emphasis is placed on labels that nurture both the traditional method of fermentation in the bottle and contemporary tank processes, with the common denominator being – indigenous grapes and a characteristic expression of the terroir.

Among the sparkling wines that often stand out on such occasions are Valomet Brut Natur from the Vrbnik Agricultural Cooperative, known for maturing under the sea and a unique story connecting winemaking and the sea, and Gospoja Brut from PZ Gospoja, a sparkling wine with a series of domestic and international awards. Along with them, glasses often contain tank fermentation sparkling wines produced from Žlahtina – a variety that is synonymous with viticulture on the island of Krk and which, thanks to its freshness and aromatic profile, fits ideally into the style of modern, airy sparkling wines.

At the Krk toast, visitors thus have the opportunity to taste sparkling wines such as Porin from Katunar Estate Winery, Biser Žlahtine from the House of Wine Ivan Katunar, Maličić sparkling wine from the Šipun winery, or labels like Valle Jaz from the Nada winery. Each of these sparkling wines brings a nuance of a different interpretation of Žlahtina – from distinctly fresh, citrus notes to more mature, creamy experiences on the palate. Along with white sparkling wines, an important part of the story is made up of rosé labels produced from indigenous red varieties, among which Valomet Rosé, Draschitza, or Vila from Trojišćina stand out, emphasizing the solemnity of the moment with their colors and scents.

Such a selection of wines at the New Year's toast is not only an opportunity for an appropriate toast but also a kind of open-air wine workshop. Visitors have the opportunity to taste different styles of sparkling wines from Kvarner in one place, compare them and choose favorites, while getting to know the story of the Kvarner Wines Association, which has been increasingly strongly branding the region as a recognizable eno-gastro destination in recent years. In combination with local bites and a holiday musical backdrop, the toast in the City of Krk becomes an event that transcends the symbolic raising of a glass exactly at noon.

Evening New Year's Eve Celebration: Eni, Vjeko, Ana, and Daniel

After the daily parts of the program slowly calm down, and the Advent lights take the main word in the old town centre, the stage in front of the semi-dome activates again at 10:30 PM. The evening New Year's Eve celebration in the City of Krk this year is reserved for performers whom the domestic audience knows well – both from concert stages and popular television music shows.

One of the main stars of the evening is Eni Jurišić, a powerful and emotional vocalist of the new generation of Croatian singers. She presented herself to the wider audience through the shows The Voice of Croatia and A strana, and gained additional affirmation with the hit collaboration with Matija Cvek in the song "Trebaš li me". Her recognizable voice and ability to interpret ballads, but also more energetic pop songs, make her an ideal choice for a New Year's program in which singing out loud, emotional moments, and dancing until the early morning hours are expected.

Alongside her, Vjeko Ključarić will stand on stage, another representative of the generation of musicians who profiled themselves through television shows and then continued to build original careers. Strong stage presence, modern pop sound, and communication with the audience are his main characteristics, which is why his performances on open stages are particularly attractive. On New Year's Eve in the City of Krk, Vjeko's repertoire will include familiar covers and his own songs that are increasingly found on the playlists of domestic music lovers.

The musical story is rounded off by Ana Cerovac and Daniel Jurišević, vocalists who have also left a strong mark in shows like The Voice and A strana. Their interpretations of well-known hits, as well as the ability to adapt to different musical genres – from pop and rock to soul and funk classics – guarantee a dynamic concert program in which every generation will find something for themselves. The combination of four performers allows for playful duets, joint finales, and a setlist that naturally builds from introductory songs to the climax at the moments of entering the year 2026.

At midnight, while the sounds of the New Year's greeting and countdown echo over the City of Krk, the audience by the stage welcomes the first minutes of 2026 in an atmosphere full of lights, music, and communal singing. Behind the stage, the sea and city walls create a unique backdrop, while the scents of holiday specialties from the Advent cottages remind that the island of Krk is a gastronomically interesting destination even in winter months. After midnight, the program continues with a combination of band and DJ performances, adapted to everyone who wants to stay late and make use of every minute of New Year's Eve.

Advent in Krk and Winter Vacation on the Island

The New Year's program on December 31, 2025, is just the peak of a broader story about Advent in the City of Krk. During December, the city offers a rich schedule of concerts, children's workshops, occasional fairs, and gastronomic events, which is why many visitors plan a stay of several days or even a whole week. Those who choose accommodation in the City of Krk or in one of the nearby settlements on the island often combine walks by the sea, visiting surrounding places, and wine tours with rest in warm, pleasant interiors.

The island of Krk, connected by a bridge to the mainland and well networked with road routes, is easily accessible even in winter months, which further facilitates the planning of a New Year's trip. Many guests come by private car, but also by organized bus transport from larger Croatian cities or neighboring countries. With different types of accommodation on the island of Krk – from hotels and family boarding houses to apartments and holiday homes – visitors can find an option that suits both a shorter weekend escape and a longer holiday vacation.

Apart from the City of Krk itself, which acts as a lively center of the island during the holiday season, numerous guests will use their stay to explore other places on the island as well. Vrbnik, Punat, Baška, Malinska, Omišalj, and other settlements offer their Advent stories, promenades by the sea, and viewpoints offering winter views of Kvarner. The common denominator for all is the mild climate, the scent of the sea, domestic cuisine, and a sense of safety and closeness which are the reason for many to return precisely to Krk year after year.

Suggestions for Planning the New Year's Eve in the City of Krk

For those thinking about New Year's Eve in the City of Krk for the first time, it is useful to plan the day to fully utilize the possibilities offered by December 31. The morning is ideal for arrival and settling into the chosen facility, a light walk through the old town core, and the first coffee or breakfast in one of the cafes. Already from 10:00 AM, when DJ Danko steps on stage, the atmosphere intensifies, so many slowly start gathering in front of the semi-dome and in the surrounding streets at that time.

Before the noon toast, it is recommended to set aside time for sightseeing the city core – a visit to the cathedral, a short tour of the Frankopan Castle, or a walk by the sea. This is also an opportunity to taste local sweets and savory bites at the Advent cottages. At noon follows the festive moment of communal toasting, after which many decide on a short rest in accommodation in the City of Krk, lunch in one of the restaurants, or a tour of nearby places on the island.

The afternoon is reserved for more relaxed activities – from walking through the city to visiting viewpoints and beaches that have a completely different, calmer character in winter attire. As the evening approaches, visitors return to the center, choosing warm drinks and bites to warm themselves before the evening program. Arriving at the stage shortly before 10:30 PM ensures a good spot closer to the stage, which is particularly important for those who want to actively participate in the concert, sing, dance, and be at the center of events.

At the midnight moment of entering 2026, the City of Krk offers an atmosphere in which everyday stress is easily forgotten. The combination of music, sounds of the toast, flashes of cameras and mobile phones, hugs, and congratulations creates an experience for which many visitors return year after year. After midnight, part of the audience continues the celebration with the musical program, while others slowly retreat towards their apartments, hotels, or holiday homes, satisfied that they started the new year precisely here, in the heart of the island of Krk.