Novi Vinodolski will once again sparkle with festive charm this year, offering a rich and diverse programme as part of Novi Advent, which will bring a wealth of music, entertainment, creative workshops, children’s activities and festive gatherings from 29 November until the end of December. The town’s squares, cultural venues and surrounding villages will become stages for the magic of Advent, while a programme designed for all generations will provide plenty of reasons to visit and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

The Advent festivities begin on 29 November with the ceremonial switching on of the festive lights at Trg Vinodolskog zakona, accompanied by a children’s music programme and DJ Boris. From the very first days of December, visitors can look forward to creative workshops for adults and children, ranging from Christmas arrangement making and arm knitting to family Advent workshops. Advance registration is required for all workshops due to limited places, and a participation fee applies. The youngest visitors will enjoy storytelling sessions featuring festive Christmas tales, while, to mark St Nicholas Day, the play A Story Within a Story: The Nutcracker, performed by Teatar Poco Loco, will take place at the Cultural Centre. The Fijolica Kindergarten will also join in the festive celebrations with its event Christmas Magic at Fijolica, scheduled for 10 December in the kindergarten courtyard.

The highlight of the Advent programme will be the opening of the Advent stalls and the Frankopan Winter Magic ice rink, bringing a true winter atmosphere to Frankopan Square on 11 December. The opening celebration will be dedicated to the youngest visitors and will feature a special fairy tale on ice performed by the Medo Skating Club, together with a musical programme by the SMA acoustic trio and soloists from the Creative and Educational Centre Glazbeni vrtuljak. Throughout the Advent season, the ice rink will be one of the main gathering places for socialising and winter fun, with opening hours adapted to different days and the festive schedule. It will remain open until 10 January of the following year. As in previous years, skating will be completely free of charge for all visitors, and skating lessons for children will also be organised.

The music and entertainment programme will continue in the days that follow. On Saturday evening, 12 December, visitors can enjoy a stand-up comedy performance by Marina Orsag and Igor Drlja from Studio Smijeha, followed by entertainment from the Supercover Band. A special musical highlight awaits on 18 December, when Mia Dimšić takes to the stage. Her performance will follow the children’s play Vilibald’s Christmas Miracle and a creative plush toy workshop, where children will have the opportunity to design, decorate and make their very own cuddly toy as a keepsake from Novi Advent. The following day, 19 December, the programme features an impressionist stand-up show by Danko Ažić, guaranteed to have audiences laughing out loud, followed by an evening performance by Amber Band. On 26 December, visitors to Frankopan Square will be treated to a special musical delight – a true Christmas evening of jazz and soul.

Children and families have a particularly special place in this year’s programme. Alongside numerous storytelling sessions and creative workshops, children will be able to make Christmas ornaments, festive sweets and holiday decorations. Activities will also include the In Grandma Claus’s Kitchen workshop, cookie decorating and making sweet treats. On 21 December, Fijolica Kindergarten will present its Christmas concert All You Need Is Love, followed by a gift-giving event for all children at the Cultural Centre. Students from the Music Department of Ivan Mažuranić Primary School will further enrich the Advent programme with their own concert.

Kula Turnac Tower will once again become a special place for the youngest visitors. Every year, the tower takes on a different Advent theme, and this year it will be transformed into Santa Claus’s Post Office, where all children will be able to write and leave their letters to Santa.

The festive atmosphere will extend beyond the town centre. Advent in Ledenice will take place on 16 December, followed by Advent in Povile on 23 December, bringing the festive celebrations closer to residents of the surrounding villages. A Christmas fair and festive performance will be held on 22 December in the courtyard of Ivan Mažuranić Primary School. Those who enjoy entertainment and a little friendly competition can put their knowledge to the test at the Christmas Quiz Challenge on 20 December and the New Year’s Quiz Challenge on 29 December, both taking place at the Cultural Centre.

On Christmas Eve, 24 December, the traditional distribution of fish treats will take place at Frankopan Square, accompanied by live music from Trio Arca. The Christmas celebrations will be further enriched by concerts featuring Jose Butorac at the Church of St Margaret in Klenovica on Christmas Day, and at the Church of St Philip and St James in Novi Vinodolski on 29 December. As Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, special mention should also be made of the beautiful, large nativity scene that will be set up this year on the terrace in front of the Cultural Centre.

A special place in this year’s programme belongs to A Toast to the New Year, the traditional New Year’s Eve gathering that will provide the perfect opportunity to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one at noon on 31 December. With musical performances by Trend and Point bands and Trio Arca, visitors can also look forward to a children’s entertainment programme by ZIA Production, featuring face painting, as well as a special New Year’s mug offering unlimited mulled wine and a traditional delicacy prepared by local hunters. The price of the mug remains €10 this year. Somnia Photobooth will also be on hand to capture memories of the final day of the year. The entire event will be an opportunity to come together, celebrate and raise a glass to new beginnings. The programme starts at 10 am and will extend throughout the town centre.

Once again, this year’s Novi Advent confirms that the festive season is at its most beautiful when shared through music, laughter, creativity, the aromas of seasonal delicacies and special moments together. With a diverse programme bringing together children, young people, families and adults, Novi Vinodolski invites residents and visitors alike to become part of its festive story and experience the magic of Advent in the town.

The event is organised by the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board, the Town of Novi Vinodolski and the Novi Vinodolski Cultural Centre, together with numerous co-organisers and partners whose contributions enrich the programme. Full programme details, including exact event times and workshop participation fees, are available on the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board website and social media channels. The organisers will also publish any programme changes due to adverse weather conditions through these channels.