Sweet Zrinjevac: Guide to Advent festivities at iconic Zagreb location

by croatiaweek
December 1, 2023
in Entertainment

Sweet Zrinjevac: Guide to Advent festivities at iconic Zagreb location (Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

Ready for Slatki Zrinjevac (Sweet Zrinjevac)? Ante Gelo officially opens the Zrinjevac adventure on December 2nd – The lighting of the lights at around 7:30 pm.

The Music Pavilion in Zagreb’s Zrinjevac Park will transform into a magical open-air stage over the next month, and Zrinjevac will don its shiny holiday attire, becoming Sweet Zrinjevac.

The pavilion, built in the last century, is one of Zagreb’s symbols, often filled with music that can warm any heart. It will be the same this December. The musical program on December 2nd will be opened by Ante Gelo with his band (Iva Ajduković, Alen Đuras, Josip Palameta, Goran Kovačić, Nino Krznar, Mario Klarić), who will immerse the audience in the Advent hustle and bustle with excellent entertainment, plenty of dancing, and good vibes.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

In the following days, many DJs, including DJ Ivica Premec, DJ Xxxtended, DJ Tom Saloonski, DJ Marko Bezjak aka DJ eM Bee, and DJ Mental Blue, will showcase their skills, with feel-good music running through their veins. Award-winning saxophonist Ivan Premelč will leave his original musical mark on Zrinjevac just before Christmas, and the musical group La Papa (cello, ukulele, and virtual drums) is an expert in providing good entertainment – their repertoire covers everything from classics and jazz standards to the latest pop or rock.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

Visitors will also be able to dance to live performances by the bands Eter and Fighting Fish and Gramophonix, and on December 9th, Tatjana Matejaš Cameron – Tajči will present a full-length concert to the audience.

Sweet Zrinjevac also becomes the most popular gastronomic oasis, a place for socializing and collecting moments, from Monday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11 pm, Friday from 12 pm to 12 am, Saturday from 10 am to 12 am, and Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm. In the coming weeks, cold weather is expected, so a cup of mulled wine or warm gin will surely come in handy.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

They will be especially delicious because you can drink them from porcelain cups, which are one of the highlights of this, the first sustainable Advent. They can be bought and kept as a souvenir or borrowed and returned, but we believe that many cups will find their new homes.

The sweetest promenade surrounded by protective plane trees becomes the home of restaurateurs and small craftsmen who will make an effort to brighten your holiday moments.

There are ten craftsmen who can’t wait to present their handmade souvenirs: Srčeko, Go Retro, Grošek, Farbica, Sirius 4 US, Pompon, Croaticanna, Nena plush toys, Bakina čarolija, and Glory. You will find beautiful gifts for your loved ones – from toys, handmade Christmas tree ornaments, licitar hearts, handmade jewelry, and much more.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

In addition to the enchanting decoration, inspiring music, and souvenirs “to go,” especially when the most anticipated lights are lit in the evening on December 2nd, marking the beginning of Advent, Sweet Zrinjevac will be filled with tempting scents of delicacies prepared by our skilled chefs.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

The offer could be summarized in 18 types of different sausages from various parts of the world, several types of various fritters (fritule) made according to homemade recipes, special smoky cocktails, and those created as a creation of Filip Lipnik and his Art of Bar.

Art of Bar (Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

Feliz Navidad and Mario Mihelj await you with South American specialties and unusual desserts.

Salsiacca – Feliz Navidad (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Sweet Rolls – Feliz Navidad (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

BoogieLab Croštulica has specially designed savory and sweet fritule.

BoogieLab Croštulica (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Melkiorovo slatko carstvo will delight even the most demanding palates with fritule and pancakes and homemade toppings, all according to grandma’s recipe.

Melkiorovo slatko carstvo (Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

Melkior Bašić (Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

Još manji Kai flirts with bao buns, and Sugar Daddy offers a wealth of handmade lollipops and Macedonian sudžuk.

Još manji Kai – fritule (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Bao buns – Još manji Kai (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Macedonian sudžuk – Sugar Daddy (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Polar Express prepares a creative selection of sausages with colorful cocktails Amaretto punch, Santa’s favorite teranino, and Spicy hot gin, while Shank is proud of bucka buncek and various sausages and fritters.

The sweetest park in Zagreb, Zrinjevac, where generations of Zagreb residents and numerous visitors take leisurely strolls, is going to present its new, festive attire.

Polar Express – churossi (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Bucko buncek – Shank (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Santa’s House will surely captivate attention with peas and buncaš, and in the Kaiser sausage house by RougeMarin, you will be able to find a truly special sausage that you have never tried before.

Rudolf premium burger – Santas House (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Kaiser – Kaiser kobasa (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Veseli pajcek (cheerful pig) emphasizes its porchetta, and Germ knedla offers a delicacy without which you cannot go on Advent.

Porchetta – Veseli pajcek (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Beans and sausage (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

Germ knedla (Photo credit: Bojan Haron Markičević)

When you get tired of dancing and gastronomic delights, explore the sculptures, part of the Sit&Meet project. They have prepared another surprise: in the shopping area, our guest is Filip Filković Philatz, an artist and film director who presents the artistic project Glass Jars of Little Zagreb.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

He captures the charm of Zagreb with miniature representations of city landmarks in glass jars, each of them a true work of art and an original holiday gift.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

You will find many interesting things at Zrinjevac, capture moments in a selfie in one of the romantic corners of Zrinjevac, or perhaps climb into the music pavilion and embrace the whole world with your Christmas wishes.

(Photo credit: Filip Bašić)

All residents of Zagreb and their guests are invited to visit Sweet Zrinjevac on Saturday, December 2nd, around 7:30 pm, to welcome all the traditionally lighting of the Advent candles and officially mark the beginning of Advent celebration in Zagreb.