Head of the Administrative Department for Culture, Heritage and Tourism Julijana Antić-Brautović and the Director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board Miroslav Drašković presented, at a pre-holiday gathering with the media and partners, the most exciting parts of the 12th Dubrovnik Winter Festival, which begins this weekend.

The twelfth edition of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival brings the most diverse programme to date, ranging from major music performances and festive concerts to cultural events and specially designed zones for children and families, all together creating a unique holiday atmosphere in our City.

This year’s edition features a total of 14 concerts, including performances by the world-renowned ABBA tribute band MANIA, Doris Dragović, Domenica and Ante Cash at the traditional Torta Party, Vanna, Parni valjak, Dražen Zečić, Željko Bebek, a special evening with the Friends of Dubrovnik Distonations and Šperploča, as well as a major charity concert of spiritual music, “Mreža ljubavi” (The Network of Love), which will take place on January 3, 2025 in the sports hall, officially closing this year’s festival.

The highlight of the festival will be the New Year’s Eve celebration on Stradun, featuring Dino Merlin, Jakov Jozinović and Hiljson Mandela, while Petar Grašo will perform on New Year’s Day, followed by T. Bralić & Klapa Intrade on January 2. The programme is further enriched by the festive Dubrovnik Christmas Concert at Valamar Lacroma and the traditional New Year’s Concert with oysters and sparkling wine in front of St. Blaise’s Church.

This year introduces a new hospitality concept. Advent booths and accompanying programmes will be placed in three key locations: Trg oružja, Gundulić Square, and Pile (Brsalje), which becomes the new family hub with a large carousel and themed activities for the youngest visitors and their parents.

This year’s emphasis is on the experience of the City and its authentic atmosphere. The concept is fully aligned with the existing “Respect the City” strategy, which means respecting the space, the people, and the rhythm of the city, while at the same time creating an event that attracts visitors and brings added value to the local community.

Stradun will shine brighter than ever through a collaboration with Dubrovnik’s hospitality sector, which will create a festive concept tailored for holiday gatherings with numerous tables and accompanying seating.

Events will take place across many attractive locations throughout the City of Dubrovnik. Šarena zima u Uvali with its ice rink, the North Pole Station at the Pile Tourist Information Center, and the ice rink and programmes in the largest city district, Mokošica, form the core of the children's programme, complemented by activities offered by Dubrovnik’s cultural institutions.

The Children’s Winter Festival will once again feature traditional gatherings with Santa Claus and his helpers in the Rector’s Palace, themed workshops, fun rides on the Cabrio Bus, the meeting with the Moto-Mrazovi (Motorcycle Santas) on Stradun, and the ever-popular Children’s New Year’s Eve countdown on Stradun with Jacques Houdek.

The City will once again glow in lavish holiday decoration, adorned with more than 1,000 meters of decorative laurel, over 1,200 light elements, numerous illuminated trees, and more than thirty Christmas trees across all city districts and local councils. Many hospitality businesses and private entrepreneurs will additionally decorate their spaces, contributing to the festive cityscape, while the specially designed Poste od lentravanja will offer attractive visual spots for capturing holiday memories. To further enhance Stradun’s holiday spirit, children from Dubrovnik’s primary schools and kindergartens will take part in the traditional “Advent Calendar on Stradun” window-decorating project.

The 12th Dubrovnik Winter Festival also includes Advent on Vojnović with concert programmes, as well as Advent Park Dubrovnik in Gruž, while a special programme for teenagers, TIP TOP TUP, will take place in the TUP complex. Along with folklore performances on Saturday mornings and traditional kolenda carolling on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the youngest participants of the workshops will also perform, and a series of free thematic city tours in both English and Croatian has been organized.

To make it easier for residents and visitors to reach the Advent programmes, free Libertas bus transportation will be available on city and suburban lines every day from 5 p.m. until the last scheduled departure. Additionally, the price of the DU Pass, the combined ticket for Dubrovnik’s key attractions, has been reduced from 40 to 20 euros, encouraging access to cultural experiences during the Advent season.

Organizers are expecting a large number of visitors once again, attracted by a rich, diverse, and carefully curated programme that reaffirms Dubrovnik’s status as a year-round destination, offering residents and guests the traditional Dubrovnik holiday atmosphere accompanied by the unmistakable sound of kolenda and the scent of local delicacies.

Dubrovnik is ready to shine in its most beautiful winter edition and once again show why it is rightfully considered one of the most enchanting Advent destinations in the Mediterranean.