December, or Prosinac in Croatian, is a month filled with festive holidays! It's the beginning of winter so the temperatures are cold and you will definitely see snow on the mountains. Cities, towns and villages all around the country celebrate the Advent, which begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas. Advent is the Christian period of waiting for the birth of Jesus and traditionally Croatians used to braid their own round wreath, which symbolizes eternity. This is a time to be spent with family and friends, socializing, music, good food, Christmas markets, gifts and penance. Here are the major events happening in Croatia in December:
Christmas Markets:
Croatia's Christmas Markets offer a combination of some or all of the following: shopping, ice skating rinks, concerts, performances, gastronomy, workshops, fairs, cultural programs and more!
Zagreb - November 30th to January 7th
Rijeka - November 30th to January 7th
Pula - December 1st to January 6th
Zadar - November 24 to January 6th
Šibenik - Decemeber 1st to January 1st
Split - December 1st to January 1st
Dubrovnik - December 2nd to January 1st
Osijek - December 1st to December 31st
Varaždin - November 29th to December 6th
December 6th - Saint Nicholas Day
This holiday is celebrated throughout Croatia. On the night of December 5th, children polish their boots and set them on a windowsill. Through the night Saint Nicholas fills their shoes with candy and gifts and Krampus (his devilish companion) leaves branches for naughty children. The more bad the behavior, the bigger the branch. Every child gets a twig as a warning to be good. On the morning of December 6th children open their presents. This day is usually accompanied by a large feast. Saint Nicholas, or Sveti Nikola in Croatian, was a Christian bishop and is now a patron saint of children, students, sailors, merchants, archers and repentant thieves.
Do you think Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are the same person?
They are actually quite different and HERE IS HOW!
December 13th - Saint Lucia's Day
This holiday is celebrated throughout the country. In some southern and northeastern parts of Croatia, Saint Lucia was the one who brought children presents. Nowadays, on this day it is popular to plant Christmas Wheat, or Božićna pšenica in Croatian. It is believed that the taller the wheat grows, the more prosperous the new year will be. This tradition dates back to times when agriculture was the main economic activity. By Christmas Eve, the wheat should be tall and bright green and is tied with a ribbon in red, white and blue, the colors of the Croatian flag. This day is usually accompanied with a large feast. Saint Lucia, or Sveta Lucija in Croatian, was one of the earliest Christian martyrs and was killed by the Romans for her religious beliefs. She is known as the patron saint of virgins, sight and the city of Syracuse, Sicily.
December 24th - Christmas Eve
Croatians also call this day Badnja večer. Badnjak is a log lit on Christmas Eve and is meant to stay burning throughout Christmas Day. Traditionally, this is the most important part of the entire Christmas celebration. This day is also more commonly when you put up and decorate the Christmas tree and then leave up until Three Kings Day or Epiphany on January 6th of the new year. Croatians did not begin the custom of the Christmas tree until the mid-19th Century. Before this, homes were decorated with flowers and seasonal fruits, like plums, pears and apples. Children would make paper ornaments. The main course for the feast on this day is traditionally fish with festive pastries and cakes for dessert.
Learn more about the city of Rijeka by checking out our Travel Guide.
December 25th - Christmas Day
Christmas, or Božić in Croatian, is a day of family and feast usually consisting of some type of main meat dish, such as pork, lamb or beef. Sarma is a popular recipe to bake (and is also one of my favorite winter meals) that consists of soured cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice.
December 31st - New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve, or Stara Godina in Croatian, is celebrated similarly to countries all over the world with parties, concerts, a countdown and fireworks at midnight. Two towns in Croatia celebrate New Year's Eve at noon, Zagorje and Fužine. Food, music and dancing fill the towns and when the clock strikes twelve colorful powder fireworks fill the sky. Evening feasts are very popular offering several courses, including dessert around midnight. You think dessert is the last dish but surprisingly they serve another meat course around 1:00 in the morning! You will definitely start the new year with a full belly of food and drink.
There is so much to celebrate in Croatia during the month of December. The holidays are steeped in traditional customs and religion. Vacation during this time and you will definitely discover an important aspect of Croatian culture.
North Coast Croatia Travel Agency specializes in travel to Croatia and surrounding European countries. Providing consultations, custom itineraries, pre-designed theme itineraries, summer beach rentals and a travel blog. Booking flights, accommodations, cruises, tours, rental cars, transfers, bus/train/ferry tickets, travel insurance and more!
Book a FREE 30 minute Travel Consultation with me to discuss planning your trip to Croatia!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sretan Božić i Sretna Nova Godina!
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