December in the heart of Pelješac brings back warmth, twinkling lights, and a rich program that transforms the quiet maritime town into a lively holiday stage. If you are thinking about a winter vacation by the sea, accommodation in Orebić and the surrounding area this year will be the perfect base for exploring a whole series of concerts, plays, workshops, and movie nights that fill the calendar from December 12th to December 31st, 2025.

Orebić has been inscribed on the tourist map of Croatia for more than a century as a place of captains, vineyards, and excellent beaches, and in recent years it has also become one of the most visited destinations in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Its position at the foot of Mount Sveti Ilija, with a view of the channel and the old town of Korčula, provides a special scenery even in winter days – the sea is calmer, the streets quieter, and the holiday program comes to the fore even more. Precisely in such an atmosphere, this year's Christmas and New Year's program was designed, which, in cooperation with local associations, cultural institutions, and the Municipality Tourist Board, combines music, film, tradition, and family gatherings.

The center of events is the charming Mimbelli Square, a stone square in the old core right on the coast, right next to the promenade and old captains' houses. There, during December, the scents of mulled wine, fritters, homemade cakes, and other delicacies will spread, while Christmas songs and the sounds of Dalmatian and pop music will alternate from the speakers. Passers-by, families with children, and guests who have found their accommodation in Orebić in hotels, camps, or private apartments will be able to stop by for a hot drink between concerts, plays, or cinema screenings.

The program is conceived so that almost every day offers something new – from tambouritza and pop-rock music, through children's workshops, to stand-up performances and traditional Christmas Eve cod. Evenings are filled with concerts, while the morning is reserved for workshops, children's content, and gatherings, so short weekend breaks or multi-day stays can easily be organized in Orebić and surrounding accommodation.

Advent atmosphere on Mimbelli Square

During December, Mimbelli Square becomes Orebić's outdoor living room. Stone houses, Mediterranean greenery, and the view towards the sea create a backdrop on which light installations, Christmas decorations, and wooden houses with a holiday offer are superimposed. They feature domestic specialties – from fritters and kroštule to savory snacks – as well as products from local family farms, souvenirs, and handicrafts.

During concerts and major events, all generations gather on the square: children run around the Christmas tree, parents toast with mulled wine or homemade liqueurs, and older locals happily comment on what has changed in the town since last Christmas. Many guests staying in accommodation in Orebić experience their first encounter with local customs right here – spontaneously sung carols, the sound of the tambouritza or accordion, and a meeting with hosts who gladly recommend what else must be seen on Pelješac.

The holiday atmosphere on the square is further emphasized by hot drinks, the scent of cinnamon, decorated trees, and appropriate music playing even between the official program. Due to the pleasant climate and mild winter days, many visitors happily stay outdoors even after individual events end, so conversations continue by the sea, on the waterfront, and in nearby cafes.

Musical rhythm of December: from tambouritzas to pop-rock

The musical part of the program is designed so that different genres alternate throughout December, which makes Orebić attractive to both older and younger visitors. Already on the first evening, December 12th, Mimbelli Square is filled with the sound of tambouritza songs brought by the Naro Tambouritza Ensemble from Metković. This performance traditionally opens the holiday story in the town, and tambouritzas and well-known songs always attract both locals and guests who are just getting to know the spirit of southern Croatia.

The highlight of the first part of the program follows on December 16th, when Giuliano & Diktatori take the stage. Their recognizable pop-rock sound, energetic ballads, and hits that marked the domestic music scene promise an evening filled with singing and dancing outdoors. Many will combine the weekend and a few days of vacation on this occasion, so hotel and private accommodation in Orebić will be particularly sought after among visitors from all over Dalmatia, but also the rest of Croatia in those days.

Ahead of Christmas, on December 23rd, the Viva Group heats up the atmosphere further, whose repertoire of entertainment and pop music will be an introduction to the holiday weekend. After Christmas is celebrated in the family circle, December continues with the concert of Trio Gušt on December 27th. Their Dalmatian sound, klapa atmosphere, and Mediterranean charm fit perfectly into the winter ambiance, reminding of summer evenings, but in a much more intimate, holiday edition.

A special place is occupied by the Christmas concert "Peace, Joy to All on Earth" on December 22nd in the parish church in Orebić. The sacral space, holiday songs, and traditional chants performed by local choirs and musicians create an atmosphere of togetherness and peace. Many guests who choose accommodation in Orebić precisely because of this event point out that it is an experience that combines the spiritual and musical dimension of the holidays, far from the crowds of big cities.

Movies for the whole family: Kino Mediteran in the Municipality Hall

Along with the music program, an important part of the holiday events consists of movie nights organized by the Kino Mediteran project. This is an initiative that has been revitalizing cinema halls in Dalmatian towns and smaller places for years, bringing current movie titles to screens that were once extinguished. Thanks to this cooperation, the Orebić Municipality Hall becomes a meeting place for film lovers of all generations again this winter.

The first movie night is scheduled for December 15th. In the 5:00 PM slot, the youngest can expect the dubbed animated hit "Zootopia 2", ideal for a family outing before the holidays. In the evening, at 7:00 PM, the movie "Wicked" follows, a title combining fantasy elements and a suspenseful story, intended for both teenagers and adults.

The second screening takes place on December 22nd, again in the Orebić Municipality Hall. At 3:00 PM, "The Christmas Chronicles" is shown, another dubbed family story emphasizing the magic of the winter period and the values of togetherness. On the same day at 7:00 PM, it is the turn of the movie "Avatar: Fire and Ash", a spectacle for adult audiences and science fiction fans, which brings the experience of the big movie screen during the holiday days.

The ticket for each cinema screening costs €5, which allows most families, including guests staying in accommodation in Orebić, to include the cinema in their holiday schedule without great expense. The combination of a walk by the sea, dinner at a local restaurant, and a screening of a current movie makes the perfect recipe for a December evening.

Workshops and children's program: creating memories

December in Orebić is not reserved only for evening concerts and movies – a great emphasis is placed on children and family activities during the day. Already on December 13th, two creative-educational workshops for the youngest are held in the Municipality Hall. In the morning, at 10:30, the program is intended for kindergarten age, while the afternoon slot at 4:30 PM is designed for school-age children.

At the workshops, children make Christmas decorations, cards, and small souvenirs through play and creative work, learning about local customs and holiday symbols in the process. The emphasis is on encouraging imagination, socializing, and cooperation, so the youngest often take home not only their works but also new friendships. Due to the limited number of participants, registration is mandatory at least two days in advance, so parents staying in accommodation in Orebić should reserve a place for their little ones in a timely manner.

For adults, a special candle-making workshop has been prepared for December 20th, also in the Municipality Hall, starting at 6:00 PM. Participants have the opportunity to learn basic techniques of pouring, coloring, and decorating candles, creating a unique holiday souvenir or gift. The workshop is free, but as with children's activities, the number of places is limited, so timely registrations are key.

The children's program further expands on December 19th on Mimbelli Square, where a Children's Day is organized with dance performances by kindergarten and school ages. Little dancers prepare choreographies to popular children's songs and Christmas hits, and the highlight of the event is the arrival of Santa Claus who brings joy, photo opportunities, and symbolic gifts to the little ones. Special charm is given by the fact that everything takes place outdoors, by the sea, while the lights of Korčula can be seen behind the stage.

The children's part of the program is rounded off by the play "Santa Quit", which takes place on December 21st at 3:00 PM in the Orebić Municipality Hall. It is a fun, but also educational story in which children learn about the importance of cooperation, understanding, and family support through humor and song. The play is an ideal opportunity for families from accommodation capacities in Orebić to head to the hall and spend the afternoon together in a theatrical atmosphere.

Christmas Eve with tradition – cod, wine, and fritters

No matter how much the program has modernized, Christmas Eve still occupies a special place in the holiday calendar in Orebić. Traditional cod on December 24th on Mimbelli Square begins as early as 10:00 AM and gathers locals, emigrants returning home for the holidays, and numerous visitors who reserved accommodation in Orebić precisely because of this event.

Cod is cooked "bianco" and as a "brudet" (stew) in large cauldrons, and homemade wine and indispensable fritters are served alongside it. The atmosphere is further embellished by performances of the Croatian Music Potomje, Folklore Group Poloneza, and Duo Sol, who remind of the rich cultural heritage of Pelješac with their performances of traditional songs and dances. Many visitors hear local chants for the first time at this very event and see the way Christmas is welcomed in the south of Croatia – with song, socializing, and a shared table.

The special charm of Christmas Eve in Orebić also lies in the fact that the entire event takes place within reach of the sea. While the smell of cod and fritters spreads along the waterfront, and music echoes between the stone houses, waves quietly hit the waterfront, creating a unique sound backdrop. Those who stayed in private accommodation in Orebić often start the day with morning coffee on the terrace overlooking the sea, and then go down to the square to taste traditional dishes and enjoy the music.

Stand-up, gatherings, and evenings of humor

To break up the winter days and add a dose of extra laughter, the program also includes a stand-up evening on December 18th in the Orebić Municipality Hall. The performance by Splicka Scena with comedian Ante Travizi brings a touch of urban stand-up culture to Pelješac, and the audience can expect recognizable Dalmatian humor, anecdotes from everyday life, and jokes at the expense of Dalmatians themselves, tourism, and small towns.

Such content attracts both the local audience and younger visitors who may have already spent a few days in accommodation in Orebić enjoying the quieter rhythm of the winter sea. The stand-up evening is an ideal reason for an evening out in the hall, continued socializing in a nearby bar, and a light walk along the waterfront before returning to sleep.

New Year's Eve with the Sabioncello band

The crown of the entire December program is the New Year's Eve celebration on December 31st on Mimbelli Square, with the performance of the Sabioncello band starting at 10:00 PM. This group, already well known to the audience on Pelješac and in surrounding places, brings a combination of entertainment, pop, and Dalmatian music to which people dance, sing, and toast to new beginnings until the early morning hours.

The reception is designed as a public celebration outdoors, so locals, returnees from abroad, guests from other parts of Croatia, and tourists who decided to welcome the New Year by the sea mingle on the square. Many reserved their arrangements and accommodation in Orebić precisely around this date to combine a few days of vacation with New Year's Eve in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Catering cottages and nearby cafes offer hot drinks, sparkling wines, and light snacks, so it is easy to find a corner for a short break between dance blocks.

The advantage of the celebration on Mimbelli Square is also that after the midnight countdown and celebration, guests can quickly return to their apartments, hotels, or camps, without the need for long drives or traffic jams. Those who extend their stay in accommodation in Orebić even after the New Year can use the first days of January for quieter walks by the sea, a visit to Korčula, or a tour of Pelješac wineries, thereby rounding off the holiday vacation completely.

Plan a holiday vacation on Pelješac

The Christmas and New Year's program in Orebić in 2025 clearly shows why this small town has been one of the most desirable destinations in southern Croatia for decades. In just a few kilometers of coastline, rich maritime tradition, top wines, hiking trails, long promenades by the sea, and a diverse cultural program combine. During December, all these advantages come to the fore because the streets are quieter than in summer, but the content is dense and carefully designed.

Regardless of whether you are coming for one concert, a weekend with children, or want to spend the entire holidays in accommodation in Orebić, the December program offers enough options to fill every day. Mornings can be used for walks by the sea, ferry trips to Korčula, or a visit to nearby wineries on Pelješac, while afternoons and evenings are reserved for workshops, movies, concerts, and gatherings on the square.

Thanks to the good transport connection of Pelješac with the mainland via the new bridge, getting to Orebić today is easier than ever before, so a short holiday escape from larger cities has become simple. With a diverse selection of hotels, camps, and private apartments, accommodation in Orebić is adapted to families with children and couples, but also groups of friends who want to welcome the New Year outdoors with music and the sea.

December 2025 on Pelješac is therefore an ideal opportunity to get to know Orebić in its winter attire – less busy, but filled with events, warm encounters, and scents of tradition. From the first concert on December 12th to the New Year's countdown with the Sabioncello band, every day offers one more reason to pack warm jackets, bring good will, and look for accommodation in Orebić that will become your starting point for the most beautiful holiday memories by the sea.