As the year slowly comes to an end, Novi Advent 2025 will once again transform Novi Vinodolski into a lavishly illuminated winter stage. The streets will be filled with the scent of mulled wine, spices, and freshly baked delicacies, while the squares will echo with song, laughter, and the murmur of visitors of all generations. The program, which extends through the entire December, brings a combination of tradition, entertainment, and creativity, creating the perfect holiday story for families, couples, and all lovers of Advent gatherings.

The smiles of children in front of Santa's House, music on open stages, the smell of gingerbread from workshops, and the swishing of ice skates on the ice – all of this will once again mark the winter days in the heart of the city. A special charm will be provided by the skating rink Zimska čarolija Frankopana, which in recent years has become a trademark of Advent in Novi Vinodolski and an unavoidable stop for everyone who loves winter joys on the ice.

Lighting of the lights and the ceremonial beginning of the December magic

The holiday story officially begins on Sunday, November 30, 2025, when thousands of lights will illuminate the Vinodol Law Square. The lighting of decorative lighting will turn the historic core of Novi Vinodolski into a glittering holiday empire, and the first hours of Advent will traditionally be spent with performances by children, children's choirs, and an appropriate musical program. In the evening hours, the atmosphere will be further lifted by DJ Boris, who will ensure that the December premiere passes with good rhythm and dancing.

Special excitement reigns among the youngest, because right at the beginning of Advent, the favorite Santa's House opens. This charming holiday sanctuary is conceived as a space of imagination, games, and meetings with the favorite grandpa, and every year it attracts children from the entire region. In Santa's House, storytelling sessions, gatherings, workshops, and various animations will be held, creating memories that are remembered for a long time.

The evening of the first day of the Advent program also brings the beginning of quiz gatherings. The House of Culture hosts the Quiz by Dean Kotiga, a quiz evening led by one of the most famous television quiz masters in Croatia. The combination of knowledge, humor, and holiday mood turns the quiz into a real little spectacle, and teams from Novi Vinodolski and the surrounding area strive every year to defend the honor of their team.

Creative workshops: the scent of pine cones, cinnamon, and fresh pasta

December in Novi Vinodolski has been known for years for a whole series of creative workshops that attract both children and adults. Novi Advent 2025 continues this trend with a rich schedule of activities organized by the City Tourist Board and local cultural institutions.

Already on December 1, in the premises of the Tourist Board, a Christmas wreath making workshop is held, with an atmosphere further enhanced by the scent of mulled gin. Participants, under expert guidance, learn how to make a wreath from winter greenery, dried fruit, decorative ribbons, and lights that will adorn the front door or the holiday table. The number of places is limited, so registration is required via the Tourist Board's e-mail address, with a symbolic registration fee.

A few days later, on December 4, a glass water bottle painting workshop is on the schedule. This program combines sustainability and creativity – instead of single-use packaging, participants paint durable bottles, turning them into original personalized items that they will carry with them throughout the year. The workshop is ideal for both families and friends who want to spend a holiday evening together in a relaxed but creative environment.

A day later, on December 5, the Tourist Board prepares a special children's workshop Cloud Christmas decorations, where the youngest make colorful decorations for the tree and home. On the same morning, little ones can watch the puppet musical Tko će dobiti najljepši dar? in the House of Culture, which speaks in a fun way about sharing, kindness, and the true values of the holidays.

On Tuesday, December 9, the smell of gingerbread fills the spaces of the Tourist Board. At the gingerbread house making and decorating workshop, participants learn how to build real little edible houses from a fairytale using dough, icing, and sweets. This program is a special experience for families, as parents and children participate together in creating sweet works of art.

Holiday creativity does not stop even in the middle of the month. On Monday, December 15, participants discover the world of mosaics at the Magic Balls workshop, where colorful Christmas baubles covered with tiny pieces of glass and decorative materials are made. Two days later, on December 17, in the Small Hall of the House of Culture, the Christmas Kokedama workshop is organized, where participants learn how to create unique hanging arrangements from moss, soil balls, and evergreen plants, ideal for Christmas interior decoration.

Just before the end of the year, on December 29, the Tourist Board prepares a delicious finale of creative programs – the PAŠTAda workshop, dedicated to making fresh pasta. Visitors have the opportunity to learn how flour and eggs are transformed into homemade pasta, perfect for holiday lunches and dinners. For this workshop too, applications are received via e-mail, with an affordable participation price.

Storytelling, children's program, and school performances

Novi Advent 2025 places special emphasis on content for children. Wednesdays are reserved for Christmas storytelling sessions in the National Reading Room and Library, where little ones listen to snow stories, meet the unusual character Archibald, and through stories about Christmas Eve learn about tradition, family, and togetherness. Throughout the month, additional workshops for children are also held, such as the String art program in the Small Hall of the House of Culture, where original holiday motifs are created with the help of nails, thread, and wooden bases.

Kindergarten Fijolica and Ivan Mažuranić Elementary School are strongly included in Advent events this year as well. In the kindergarten yard on December 11, the manifestation „Christmas glows with warmth“ takes place, during which the yard turns into a small holiday town with lights, songs, and children's performances. The school organizes its big performance – Christmas Magic – on December 22, when students present dance, drama, and musical numbers on stage.

The family dimension of Advent comes to the fore in the pub quiz „We remember Christmas forever“, which gathers children and parents in a joint competition on December 16. The quiz is held in the premises of the Fijolica kindergarten, and the questions are adapted to all ages so families solve riddles together, recall Christmas songs and customs, and learn something new about Novi Vinodolski and its history.

Frankopan Square as the center of events

From December 12, Frankopan Square becomes the main place for meetings, socializing, and entertainment. Advent cottages on the square offer a diverse gastronomic offer – from traditional dishes of the coastal region to modern street food bites – while the smell of mulled wine, hot chocolate, and holiday desserts creates a feeling of homemade warmth. On weekends, musical performances, themed evenings, and programs for the whole family alternate on the square.

The first big weekend brings the performance of the popular Bosutski bećari and a DJ program on December 13, with song, dance, and a Slavonian-Dalmatian mix of hits. A week later, on December 20, stand-up comedians from Splitska scena and Trio Marinero perform on the stage of Frankopan Square, creating the perfect combination of laughter and music. Visitors at the end of the month are additionally entertained by the Reaktiva cover band, with recognizable domestic and foreign hits that the audience gladly sings along to.

Part of the children's program also takes place on Frankopan Square. Interactive animations are organized here, such as the Toy Factory with numerous tasks and games for the youngest, face painting, and the arrival of mascots of favorite cartoon heroes. The square thus transforms into a large outdoor holiday playground, ideal for families looking for diverse content in one place in Novi Vinodolski.

Ice rink “Zimska čarolija Frankopana” – the winter hit of Advent

One of the most anticipated moments of Novi Advent 2025 is certainly the opening of the ice rink Zimska čarolija Frankopana on Frankopan Square, on Friday, December 12. The grand opening will be complemented by The Miraculous Fairytale on Ice performed by Klizački klub Medo, with choreographies that combine sport, dance, and fairytale scenography. After the revue, entertainment follows with a DJ program, and then the ice rink officially opens its doors to visitors.

The ice rink remains open until January 11, 2026, thereby covering the entire Advent period, as well as the school winter holidays. Working hours are adapted to both families and those who work – on weekdays in the afternoon and evening, and on weekends from the morning hours. Special slots on weekends are ideal for trips, so it is not a coincidence that many guests decide to book accommodation in Novi Vinodolski precisely to spend the weekend on the ice, walking through the city, and at concerts.

The price of skating and skate rental remains symbolic, to ensure that both children and adults, the local population and tourists, can afford this experience. The ice rink is surrounded by Advent cottages, so after the ride, visitors can warm up with a hot drink or a quick snack. Due to its attractive location and pleasant atmosphere, the ice rink has already become an unavoidable backdrop for winter photos from Novi Vinodolski.

Advent in Ledenice and Christmas concerts

The holiday mood will not remain only in the city center. Advent expands to surrounding places as well, so on December 18 Ledenice gets a special Advent atmosphere. In the center of the place, the program Advent in Ledenice is held, with appropriate musical and animation content and socializing of locals and guests. For everyone who wants to get to know the wider surroundings and combine a trip to the interior with the sea, this is a great opportunity to combine a walk through the place with a rest in accommodation in Novi Vinodolski.

The musical part of Advent is particularly rich. The traditional Christmas concerts of Jose Butorac are held at two locations – on Christmas Eve, after the morning mass in the Church of St. Margaret in Klenovica, and on December 26 in the Church of St. Philip and Jacob in the city center, after the evening mass. These concerts attract numerous lovers of classical and sacred music every year and create a special, intimate atmosphere in historic churches.

In addition to that, there are also concerts by the music school, the Novi Children's Choir, and the Fijolica kindergarten. Each of these performances tells its own story – from the first public performances of the youngest singers to serious musical performances by students and professors. The program is also complemented by the traditional Christmas Eve distribution of small fish on December 24 on Frankopan Square, which combines gastronomy, socializing, and the sea as an unavoidable motif of life in Novi Vinodolski.

Quizzes, stand-up, and evenings for adults

Along with family programs, Novi Advent 2025 also offers content intended for an adult audience. Through December, the popular series of quizzes continues – in addition to the already mentioned Quiz by Dean Kotiga, there are also the Christmas Quiz Pliz and the New Year's Quiz Pliz. Quizzes are held in the House of Culture, and teams register via the e-mail address of the National Museum and Gallery, with an affordable registration fee. Besides the competitive spirit, quizzes are an opportunity for socializing, laughter, and informal gathering of locals and guests.

Saturday evenings on Frankopan Square also bring stand-up performances by comedians of Splitska scena, which intertwine with concerts. Humor that speaks about everyday life, the holiday rush, family, and travel fits perfectly into the relaxed atmosphere of Advent evenings. Many visitors choose precisely such programs as an ideal way to check why Advent in Novi Vinodolski is special – because it offers a combination of time for family, but also evening outings with friends.

Toast to the New – New Year's Eve celebration at noon

One of the city's trademarks is the special New Year celebration – Zdravica Novoj, a unique welcome at noon on December 31. In 2025 as well, the program begins at 10:00 AM, when the city center fills with music, the smell of hunting delicacies, and a cheerful crowd. On stage, groups Trend and Face and Trio Family perform, ensuring a good atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

The children's animation program, face painting, and mascots of favorite cartoon characters ensure that the youngest also have their celebration, while adults enjoy socializing with music and an appropriate gastronomic offer. A special attraction is the New Year's mug at a price of 10 euros – with its purchase, visitors acquire the right to unlimited consumption of mulled wine and can taste one delicacy prepared by local hunting societies. This concept has already been recognized as one of the reasons why many decide to book accommodation in Novi Vinodolski precisely for the New Year's weekend.

Zdravica Novoj is also special because it takes place outdoors, during daylight hours, so it is often combined with family lunches, a walk by the sea, and the last skating of that year on the ice of the Zimska čarolija Frankopana rink. After the noon celebration, many visitors continue to celebrate in a private arrangement, apartments, hotels, and holiday homes in the city and surrounding area.

Useful information for visitors

Novi Advent 2025 is organized by the City of Novi Vinodolski, the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, and the Center for Culture Novi Vinodolski, with a whole range of co-organizers: Association of Friends of Grapes and Wine Ružica Vinodola, hunting societies „Košutnjak – Novi“ and „Gradina“, utility company Ivanj d.o.o., Kindergarten Fijolica, Ivan Mažuranić Elementary School, National Reading Room and Library, National Museum and Gallery, Pensioners' Association, and the Tourist Board of Kvarner. It is precisely the synergy of institutions, associations, and volunteers that makes the city live to the fullest during December.

Detailed information about individual programs, possible schedule changes, or additional events during December can be followed by visitors on the official website and social networks of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski. News, photos, and announcements are regularly published there, so it is easy to plan an arrival, whether it is a one-day trip, a weekend trip, or a longer stay.

If you plan to visit Novi Advent 2025, it is worth considering an early booking of accommodation in Novi Vinodolski, especially for weekends and the period around Christmas and the New Year, when the city records the highest demand. Thanks to the rich program, decorated promenades, proximity to the sea, and the warm atmosphere of the local community, Advent in Novi Vinodolski positions itself more and more as an unavoidable holiday destination in Kvarner.