Rijeka Advent enters the second weekend of December with a program that combines music, ice skating, family workshops, and a pleasant gastronomic offer throughout the city. After the grand opening at the end of November and the first days of holiday socializing, this weekend – from Friday, December 5, 2025, to Sunday, December 7, 2025 – will further emphasize what makes Advent in Rijeka recognizable at Advent locations: diverse and urban rhythmic content, several thematic zones, and an emphasis on family activities. Advent this year lasts from November 29, 2025, to January 11, 2026, with seven clearly marked "stories" that make navigation easier: Meeting Korzo, Resolution of Fun, Export Ice Box, Experience Quay, Castle of Light, Art Quarter of Magic, and Neighborhoods of Light. If you are planning an extended stay, choose accommodation in Rijeka in a timely manner so that all locations are "a step away".

Along with a rich gastronomic and craft offer, the entire city is illuminated by holiday lighting, and numerous musical and children's programs are distributed from the city center towards the coast and to Trsat. If you are planning a multi-day arrival, check accommodation near Korzo and the city center, so that all locations are easily accessible on foot or by public transport. Advent zones – from the Resolution of Fun and Experience Quay to the skating rink in Exportdrvo and the magical Castle of Light – offer daily and evening contents tailored to different tastes, with the logic that family programs take place earlier, while concerts and DJ evenings take precedence in the evening hours.

Resolution of Fun: city beat and evening socializing

The Square of Rijeka Resolution acts as the main destination for urban rhythm and evening meetings this season as well. On Friday, December 5, 2025, from 8 PM, a concert program is expected as an introduction to the weekend, after which Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, will be marked by DJ sets with a recognizable program for everyone who loves a good dance selection and after-work socializing. The location also offers several Advent cottages and a food truck offering hot drinks and quick bites, so visitors can combine music and tasting specialties without leaving the square. If you are staying until late at night, consider accommodation in the center – it is easiest to "connect" Friday and Saturday without additional logistics.

The stage concept of "adventing" on this square relies on the recognizable Rijeka musical tradition and the habit of staying in the city on Fridays "after work". Friday is reserved for live performances, while Saturday is usually dedicated to thematic DJ evenings, and Sunday to a slower rhythm with a selection of pop and evergreen hits. Given the proximity to Korzo, this location naturally connects to the Advent fair, so it is not uncommon for visitors to combine several stops – from the fair on Korzo to an evening out at Resolution. For those traveling from outside the city or planning a visit with children, it is good to arrange a route in advance and check where to choose accommodation near the square to more easily coordinate day and evening programs.

Experience Quay: coastal backdrop and day-evening mix

On the coastal stretch, in the zone of Adamić Pier, the "Experience Quay" is set up – a place where the sea, lights, and music meet. The weekend on the Quay combines live gigs and DJ programs during Friday and Saturday, while Sunday is traditionally family-oriented, with programs for children and a slower rhythm. This schedule allows you to stay outdoors with the youngest ones during the day with thematic entertainment content, and catch the musical part of the program in the evening hours. If you are coming with family and want to be right next to the Rijeka port, consider accommodation by the coast so that walking along the installations and "light points" becomes part of the daily routine.

The usual concept also includes thematic stories with a touch of Christmas fairy tales, quizzes, and family content under common denominators that complement each other from weekend to weekend. During December, this location often introduces additional animations, small workshops, and short stage performances linked to current dates. Since it is an open coastal zone, warm clothing and footwear are recommended, as well as taking short shelter with hot chocolate or mulled wine during breaks between programs. For a multi-day stay by the sea in a holiday atmosphere, it is ideal to combine walks by the sea and evening outings in the center – and everything is easier if you secure accommodation by the Quay on time.

Export Ice Box: skating rink in Exportdrvo and family content

The skating rink in the Exportdrvo building, known as Export Ice Box, is open from Saturday, November 29, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026, and extends over more than 500 m² of ice. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the program is especially focused on the youngest because, along with animators, the arrival of St. Nicholas and appropriate gift distribution is expected. Throughout the season, the organizer combines a musical background with animations on the ice, a skating school, and appropriate family slots. Sunday, December 7, usually brings a slower rhythm with children's animations and DJ music that will keep the kids and their escorts in motion and a good mood.

The advantage of this location is that it offers an "indoor winter atmosphere" – regardless of wind or rain, it is possible to skate, and parents and escorts can warm up in the catering part and watch ice pirouettes from the gallery. During school holidays, skating school terms are organized in the morning hours, and for those coming on weekends, arriving slightly earlier is recommended to avoid crowds. If you choose accommodation near Exportdrvo, planning the day becomes simpler: morning skating, afternoon walk on the Quay and Korzo, and in the evening a concert or DJ.

Winter at the Castle: Castle of Light and meeting with Saint Nicholas

Trsat Castle becomes the "Castle of Light" during Advent – a fairy-tale illuminated castle with rich daily and evening contents. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the program is linked to the feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children, so the day is filled with children's workshops, face painting, balloon modeling, visits to Santa Claus's Post Office, and appropriate musical acts; the evening brings a concert program with an emphasis on pop-rock repertoire. On Sunday, December 7, a DJ program is expected that fills the ambiance of the Castle with modern rhythm, along with unavoidable "photo points" and light installations ideal for holiday photos.

A special attraction is Santa Claus's Post Office, which is among the favorite spots for little ones. Children can write and send a letter there, take a photo, and take a memory with them. Throughout December, the Castle also offers thematic spots for photography, gastro corners with hot drinks, and an appropriate souvenir shop. Due to crowds on weekends, arriving earlier is recommended, and if you plan multiple visits, combine accommodation in Trsat with a visit to the city center and tour all points in several shorter walks.

How to assemble an ideal Advent weekend in Rijeka

For Friday, December 5, 2025, the most natural scenario is to start on Korzo and the fair, and then head towards the Resolution of Fun, where the program flows from concert to DJ rhythm from 8 PM. Saturday, December 6, is logically reserved for a family trip to Export Ice Box – especially between 4 PM and 7 PM when the arrival of St. Nicholas and animation are scheduled – and in the evening for a return to the city center and musical program. Sunday, December 7, is good for a lighter variant: daytime sightseeing on the Experience Quay and a walk by the sea, ending at the Castle of Light in a DJ ambiance.

Regardless of whether you are planning just one day or the whole weekend, count on large holiday crowds and possible short-term rain fronts. Therefore, it is wise to plan everything in "loops": morning and early afternoons for outdoor children's activities, afternoon and evening for Resolution and musical programs. If coming by car, check parking options on the edge of the center and use public transport or shorter walks between locations; accommodation a step away from Korzo can also be useful to you, so that programs can be combined without driving.

Gastro corners, Advent cottages, and local flavors

Rijeka has always been a city of different cuisines, and the Advent scene confirms this through a series of cottages that combine classics (fritule, sausages, mulled wine) with more modern street-food variants. At the Resolution of Fun, there are several thematic cottages with hot drinks and fast food; on the Experience Quay, a fishing flair and dishes inspired by coastal menus are often offered; at the Castle of Light, attention is on hot drinks and sweets that warm up after a walk along the lights. If you want to combine the program with lunch, search the offer in the immediate vicinity of the square and the port, and for a late snack, a smart choice is a cottage along the route you are moving. In doing so, it is practical to have pre-secured accommodation near the locations, so that a warm rest "at home" spontaneously fits into the plan.

For visitors who like to explore local flavors, it is worth looking for seasonal thematic offers in Rijeka restaurants. Many offer shorter, "winter" menus during Advent with an emphasis on local ingredients, fish, and warm stews. If you are in the city for the first time, plan at least one "tour of flavors" – from a glass of mulled wine on the Quay, through a burger at Resolution to sweets at the Castle. If you need a base for sleeping and a short break between tastings, check accommodation in Rijeka so that the "food route" and evening program fit into the same schedule.

Practical information: working hours, transport, and safety

Advent locations generally work until midnight on weekdays, and later on Fridays and Saturdays, while Sunday is more moderate. The skating rink in Exportdrvo works according to daily terms and evening slots, and during school holidays, morning skating school groups are organized. Start earlier to avoid crowds in the most attractive terms, especially on Saturday early evening. The city is excellently covered by public transport, and distances between locations are walkable; if it is important for you to move quickly between the coast zone, center, and Trsat, taxi and city lines are a good option. For returning late at night, it is most practical to book accommodation in the center or at the location closest to your "last stop" in advance.

For all additional information during the weekend itself, follow the official announcements of the organizers, because programs are occasionally subject to changes due to weather or technical circumstances. The official websites of the Rijeka Tourist Board and the City of Rijeka regularly update calendars, and individual locations (Resolution, Quay, Export Ice Box, Castle) also have separate announcements with daily schedules. If you are staying longer than one weekend, it pays to plan a visit to other Advent points in the vicinity and consider accommodation in Rijeka as a base for excursions.

What is new this season and what to pay attention to

This season, the emphasis is on seven Advent stories that structure the program and facilitate navigation: "Meeting Korzo", "Resolution of Fun", "Export Ice Box", "Experience Quay", "Castle of Light", "Art Quarter of Magic", and "Neighborhoods of Light". The skating rink is located in the indoor space of Exportdrvo, which ensures stable conditions regardless of the weather. Special attention is also deserved by the New Year's program on Korzo, which announces the Big CroDance Party – a great option if you plan an extended stay in accommodation in Rijeka and want to welcome 2026 in the heart of the city. On the Experience Quay, the coast regularly brings thematic evenings, quizzes, and musical programs, while attractive photo points and children's content constantly alternate at the Castle of Light.

For visitors combining work and a stay in the city, a good tip is to adjust the daily schedule to work obligations: until noon you can work from cafes in the center with stable internet, the afternoon is ideal for skating or family content, and the evening for the musical program. If you need a quiet base, look for accommodation with a work corner, and for the weekend due to larger crowds, plan earlier arrivals at individual locations.

Short plan by days: December 5–7, 2025

• Friday, December 5, 2025 – Korzo and the fair for an introduction, then from 8:00 PM musical program at the Resolution of Fun; later continuation with DJ sets. Book accommodation in the center if you plan to stay until late.


• Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Family day in Export Ice Box (with the arrival of St. Nicholas and animation), afternoon walk on the Experience Quay and coastal points, in the evening return to the center for a concert/DJ program. If you are on a trip, consider accommodation by the port for simple logistics.


• Sunday, December 7, 2025 – Daily program suitable for families on the Experience Quay, and closing the weekend with a DJ evening at the Castle of Light with a view of the city. For a later return choose accommodation in Trsat or in the immediate vicinity.

Advent in the city on the Rječina confirms its reputation this season as one of the most diverse winter manifestations on the Croatian coast. The harmony of traditional motifs and contemporary atmosphere is seen at every location: the coast successfully combines the sea and music, the city center offers a combination of a fair and evening programs, while the Castle of Light is intended for everyone looking for a dose of fairy-tale scenography in December. In this sense, accommodation in Rijeka is the best ticket for a multi-day tour – with the right base it is easy to "break" the weekend into three wholes: family, musical, and gastro.