SNJEŠKOpalj returns to Mrkopalj: grand snowman parade on February 2 gathers children from schools and kindergartens of Gorski kotar
Mrkopalj will on Monday, February 2, 2026, once again become the stage for one of the most unusual winter events in Gorski kotar. According to the organizer's announcement, SNJEŠKOpalj is being held for the second time – a grand parade of snowmen in which the basic rule is simple: all participants dress up as a snowman. The start of the parade is planned in front of the Elementary School Mrkopalj at 11:30, and the finish at the Community Center Mrkopalj, where refreshments, a "snowman" dance with a DJ, and a program called Snowman party are announced.
Although at first glance it seems like a playful carnival walk, SNJEŠKOpalj is designed as a meeting of the youngest – children from elementary schools and kindergartens – with a clear idea of socializing, getting to know each other, and a joint message. The organizers announce that each school and kindergarten will present itself separately with a short message or poem, which, as they point out, will be conveyed more widely through the media, and then everyone together will perform a unique "Snowman Dance". For visitors coming from other places, Mrkopalj is also a practical base for a winter trip, so the announcements and tourist recommendations already mention
accommodation offers in Mrkopalj as the simplest solution for those who want to combine the event with a stay in the snow.
From "the first, but not the last" to the second parade
The idea of SNJEŠKOpalj, according to earlier statements by the organizers in the media, emerged as an attempt for Mrkopalj and Gorski kotar to get their own recognizable, children's parade during the winter carnivals – different from the usual masquerade formats. In the announcement of the first edition, the Tourist Information Center (TIC) Mrkopalj pointed out that they want to develop the project from year to year, and the head of the TIC, Goranka Tuhtan, was presented to the public as the initiator and main organizer.
The first edition was held on Monday, March 3, 2025, starting in front of the Elementary School Mrkopalj and finishing at the Community Center, with refreshments and a final gathering. Media reports and announcements at the time emphasized that the arrival of a large number of children from elementary schools and kindergartens of Gorski kotar was expected, accompanied by teachers, principals, educators, and parents, and that the goal was primarily socializing and getting to know each other, with an open invitation to adults to join as well – provided they respect the "snowman rule".
The second edition, according to the announcement for 2026, moves earlier in the season – to February 2 – thereby tying SNJEŠKOpalj more firmly to the period of winter carnivals and school activities at the beginning of the year. This is an important detail for parents and schools organizing the arrival, but also for local caterers and renters offering
accommodation near the event venue.
How SNJEŠKOpalj 2026 is conceived
According to the information published by the organizers in the announcement, the parade will have a clear route: departure in front of the Elementary School Mrkopalj, and finish at the Community Center Mrkopalj. This move – from the school to the community center – also has a symbolic dimension because it connects the educational space with the space of community, culture, and meeting. In practice, this means that the largest part of the program will take place at two recognizable locations in the center of the town, which facilitates logistics, following the parade, and the arrival of the audience.
- Date and time: Monday, February 2, 2026, start at 11:30
- Start: in front of ES Mrkopalj
- Finish: Community Center Mrkopalj
- Program at the finish: refreshments for participants, DJ, Snowman party, and joint "Snowman Dance"
The organizers state that at the event itself, each school and kindergarten will announce and present themselves separately with a joint message or poem, and then dance the "Snowman Dance" – a choreography conceived as the trademark of the entire event. The emphasis is on participation, not competition: the idea is for the snowmen to be different, imaginative, and colorful, but for everyone to belong to the same parade.
In the final part of the program, a guest appearance by the performer Dora Ožanić is announced, who should perform the song "SNJEŠKOPALJ" at the party. According to the organizers, the music video for the song was published on January 18, 2026, on World Snowman Day, and mascots were also designed – Snješkopalj and Snješkopaljka – as the visual identity of the event. The organizers also point out that the video description lists the authors and participants as well as the organizer and acknowledgments, which further emphasizes the joint character of the project.
Why exactly a snowman and why exactly January 18
World Snowman Day is celebrated on January 18, and popular explanations for that date emphasize the symbolism of numbers: "1" resembles a broom, and "8" the body of a snowman. In addition, a practical reason is highlighted – January is in many parts of the year a period when temperatures are most often low enough for making snowmen, so the date naturally "fit" into the winter season.
In the case of Mrkopalj and Gorski kotar, this symbolism gains additional weight: it is an area where winter is not just a meteorological fact, but also part of the identity, tourist offer, and everyday life. SNJEŠKOpalj therefore combines the carnival logic of masking with a "winter costume" that is recognizable to everyone. The snowman is universal, close to children, and allows for creativity – from the classic white silhouette to variants with colors, scarves, hats, and props. The organizers encourage precisely that creative side from year to year, with the message that the most important thing is to participate and be part of the common picture.
Mrkopalj as a stage for winter content
Mrkopalj is presented in tourist descriptions as a place in the center of Gorski kotar, surrounded by mountains and forests, with a series of natural and excursion points in the vicinity. Local tourist sources highlight the combination of natural attractions and sports facilities, and among the more recognizable winter points is certainly the ski resort and sledding hill Čelimbaša. National tourism promotion describes Čelimbaša as a small ski resort offering visitors trails suitable for different ages and levels of experience, which is why Mrkopalj often attracts families and beginners who want a "quick dose" of snow without long journeys.
This is also the broader context in which SNJEŠKOpalj appears: the event does not happen in a vacuum, but in a place that already has the infrastructure and habit of winter arrivals. In conversations about Gorski kotar tourism, it is often pointed out that when the snow "catches" and the slopes start working, visitor interest rises sharply, and accommodation capacities in Mrkopalj and surrounding places fill up quickly. For families planning to combine the parade and snow activities, a practical choice can be
accommodation for visitors in Mrkopalj, especially if they want to avoid arriving "at the last minute" and have flexibility regarding time and the program.
Schools and kindergartens at the center of the story
Unlike many carnival parades that rely on large groups of adults and a competitive element, SNJEŠKOpalj puts children in the foreground. The organizers emphasize that schools and kindergartens will present themselves with a short message or poem, and participate in a joint dance. Such a format has several clear consequences: the event becomes a platform for children from different Gorski kotar places to meet, and the messages children speak gain social weight because both the audience and the media hear them.
In the first year of the project, according to earlier announcements, the arrival of about 150 children from elementary schools and kindergartens of Gorski kotar was expected, accompanied by teachers, principals, and parents. Although official participant numbers for 2026 were not published at the time of writing, the organizers reiterate the same fundamental goal in the announcement: to gather children for socializing, getting to know each other, and playing together. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of a simple "dress code" – everyone dresses up as a snowman – so that the parade is visually recognizable and to avoid diluting the concept.
Music and "Snowman Dance" as the backbone of the program
The musical part of SNJEŠKOpalj is not just an addition, but the backbone connecting the parade and the final gathering. Even in the first year, the organizers announced a special song and dance that is learned and performed together, with the help of dance instructors, and tourist sites following events in Gorski kotar described SNJEŠKOpalj as a carnival "whether there is snow or not", with an emphasis on creative costumes, joint dance, and "Snowman party".
In 2026, the organizers announce an additional step forward through the promotion of the music video and song "SNJEŠKOPALJ". According to their statements, the music video was published on January 18, 2026, and the video description lists the authors and participants as well as the organizer and acknowledgments. Such an approach – documenting and spreading the idea of the event through a video – can help the choreography and concept be more easily transferred to other generations, but also for the event to gain recognition outside the local community. At the same time, the announcement of Dora Ožanić's guest appearance at the final party raises the visibility of the event and gives it an additional "musical story" that can be followed even before the date of the parade itself.
"Whether there is snow or not": planning in winter conditions
Gorski kotar in the winter months often depends on weather conditions, and this also applies to outdoor events. In earlier posts related to SNJEŠKOpalj, it was emphasized that the parade is planned "whether there is snow or not", which suggests that the organizers also count on scenarios with changeable winter conditions. This is supported by tourist notices from Mrkopalj which regularly monitor the condition of the sledding hill and ski resort Čelimbaša during the season, including temporary closures due to rain or lack of snow, showing how quickly conditions can change.
For visitors, it is therefore important to follow the organizers' announcements in the days leading up to the event, especially if they come from more distant regions. Those planning to arrive with children often choose
accommodation in Mrkopalj for a family weekend to have more flexibility – if weather conditions change, the stay can be filled with other contents in the place and surroundings, from walks to visits to nearby excursion sites and winter points.
The bigger picture: small events, great visibility for Gorski kotar
In discussions about the development of winter tourism in Croatia, especially in continental and mountainous areas without large ski centers, the need to rely not exclusively on skiing, but also on events, experiences, and content for families, is increasingly emphasized. Mrkopalj is often mentioned in this context because of Čelimbaša and visitor interest when the slopes are working, but also due to the fact that the winter season in practice often depends on the weather. Events like SNJEŠKOpalj are precisely an example of expanding the offer: they create a reason to come even when the focus is on socializing, culture, and shared experience, and not just on sports.
For the local community, SNJEŠKOpalj is more than a tourist product. The event emphasizes the role of schools, kindergartens, and parents, and relies on the cooperation of institutions and the community. Through masking and joint dancing, children gain experience of public performance and team participation, and parents and teachers an opportunity to meet and exchange experiences. For a place the size of Mrkopalj, such events can be an important community "glue" and a way to show a cheerful, inclusive image of Gorski kotar in public.
How to experience SNJEŠKOpalj as a visitor
For the audience, SNJEŠKOpalj is most interesting as a visual and social event: a multitude of snowmen of different styles, children's messages, joint choreography, and the final gathering. The organizers have previously invited the audience to join and support the youngest, emphasizing that children have messages they want to share. This suggests that the parade is not conceived only as entertainment, but also as a space where children publicly speak about togetherness, friendship, and the joy of winter days.
If you are coming from outside Gorski kotar, planning is simpler with an earlier arrival and at least one overnight stay. In that case, the logical choice is
accommodation offers in Mrkopalj, because they allow the event to be followed without haste, and the rest of the day to be used for walking, sledding, or a trip to surrounding places. Before the parade, it is worth preparing warm clothes and footwear appropriate for winter conditions, especially for children who will spend most of the time outdoors. SNJEŠKOpalj, according to announcements and the experience of the first edition, remains an event that relies on a simple idea and a strong common sign – the snowman – and precisely that simplicity is often the recipe for a tradition that returns and grows.
Sources:- Tourist Board of Gorski kotar – announcement and description of the SNJEŠKOpalj event ( link )- Radio Gorski kotar – announcement of the first SNJEŠKOpalj and statements by the head of TIC Mrkopalj Goranka Tuhtan ( link )- Novi list – report from the first SNJEŠKOpalj in Mrkopalj ( link )- Municipality of Mrkopalj – official website of the municipality ( link )- Croatia.hr – description of the Čelimbaša ski resort near Mrkopalj ( link )- Financije.hr – text about winter tourism and interest in Čelimbaša with quotes from TIC Mrkopalj ( link )- Ravna-gora.com – notifications about conditions at the sledding hill/Čelimbaša in Mrkopalj ( link )- Našice.com – explanation and context of World Snowman Day (January 18) ( link )- YouTube – "SNJEŠKOPALJ" music video (according to the organizer's statement) ( link )
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