Christmas in Ljubljana
Things to Do, Major Attractions and Other Tips for a Christmas City Break
Christmas in Ljubljana has true festive atmosphere with lovely winter scenery of snow covered willow trees lining Ljubljanica riverbank.
Ljubljana's centre is dressed up in colourful Christmas lights that turns the downtown into a beuatiful winter scenery.
If you're planning a Christmas city break Ljubljana is a perfefct choice. The historic city centre is very compact allowing you to explore it by walk. The Christmas Market along the Ljubljanica river boasts a tall fir Christmas tree and a range of vendors selling authentic crafts. Scents of the winter delights like roasted chestnut, mulled wine, festive pastries fills the air.
Ljubljana has a very lively atmosphere with a choice of stylish bars and clubs, romantic cafes and riverside restaurants, and an active and varied cultural life ensuring a wonderful and exciting Christmas stay for everyone.
Things to Do and See During Christmas in Ljubljana
Usually the Christmas festivities in Ljubljana start on one of the first days of December. The event of decorating the town's buildings with lights and lighting up the Christmas tree mark the beginning of the festive season that lasts up to the New Year's celebration.
Apart from the two Christmas markets a string of other events in the spirit of the Christmas holidays take place in Ljubljana including programs for children.
The procession featuring St Nicholas and Frost Grandpa (Dedek Mraz) is highly recommended for families with little kids. Planned route of Frost Granpa's and his friends' procession is Krekov trg - Ciril-Metodov trg - Mestni trg - Stritarjeva ulica - Presernov trg - Wolfova ulica - Zvezda Park.
Traditional Christmas Cribs will be on display at the following spots in Ljubljana:
the Church at the Krizanke (open every day in mid-December between 10.00-18.00),
Chapel of St george at Ljubljana Castle,
Cathedral of St Nicholas.
There'll be other children programs including creative workshops, juggle, fire eating shows, musical performances in the Fairy Tale Town in Zvezda Park (Star Park aka Kongresni Trg square) too.
A temporary ice-skating ring on Plecnikov trg Square in front of the Maximarket department store adds to the winter fun in Ljubljana.
In the Nama Deparment Store children can meet Santa Clause and tell them what presents they wish for Christmas.
The area of the Cobbler's Bridge hosts street theatre performances.
Children choirs from various schools from Ljubljana will give concerts (classical, jazz, and rock) on the stairway in front of the Town Hall.
The series of events after 25th-26th December continue with concerts on Preseren Trg, Ljubljana's main square.
Event Tip: a festive concert performed by Anja Bukovec violinist will take place on 23rd December in Grand HOtel Union Executive. Ticket costs 24 € (purchased before 14th November). Slovenia's popular violinist performance will include classical and film music pieces.
Ljubljana Christmas Market - 1st - 31st December
The official Christmas Market of Ljubljana is set up along the Ljubjanica river in the centre of the town.
Another festive market the St Nicholas Fair welcomes veryone on Presernov Trg.
The wooden stalls decrated with Xmas ornaments and lights sell craftswork, Slovenian specilalities, mulled wine (kuhano vino), warm honey schnaps (medica) fried sausages and other delicious snacks.
Ljubljana During Christmas Video
Sightseeing During Christmas in Ljubljana
Besides the compulsory holiday shopping devote some time to see the most important historic and cultural sights in Ljubljana.
After admiring Ljubljana's stunning architecture, the Castle and other sights you can have a nice meal in one of the fine restaurants the town offers.
TIP: a romantic way to see the Ljubljana's sights is a boat cruise on the Ljubljanica river. The tourist boat is heated ensuring you 1-hour sightseeing tour in warm. There's a short walking tour in the Old Town before the boat cruise.
The lovely Tivoli Park (Ljubljana's largest park) west ofthe Ljubljanica river and some 10-minute walk from the central Presernov Trg gets even lovelier when covered with snow so take a stroll along the horse chestnut tree lined paths designed by Joze Plecnik architect.
The broadest path (Jakopic Promenade) leads you to the Tivoli Mansion (Tivolski Grad) built in the 17th century.
Accommodation Tips for a Ljubljana Christmas City Break
Unfortunately Ljubljana's hotel scene is slightly limited but you'll find some good-value midrange and upscale hotels. See our pages about Best Hotels in Ljubljana and recommended high-end Ljubljana Hotels. Renting an apartment is a good alternative over the sometimes faceless hotel chains.
Opening Hours During Christmas Time in Ljubljana: During the weeks and on weekends predceding Christmas most shops and kepp longer working hours. Shops will be closed on 25th-26th December however the majority of restaurants are open on Christmas Day and on Boxing day.
Christmas Shopping in Ljubljana
f you can't find a suitable gift on the open Christmas markets drop by one of the numerous shops and department stores in Ljubljna's centre.
To get everything at one place go to the largestshopping mall on the outskirts of Ljubljana the BTC City (Eastern part of the town, Nove Jarse area, buses 2, 7, and 12 take you there) which inlcudes a range of designer shops, a sports and entertainment center with ahuge water park called Atlantis
For something more exotic shopping expereince visit the SILA Bazaar an event organized by an international women's association (Slovene International Ladies' Association) end of Novemeber every year. The bazaar sells uniqe goods, handicrafts, specialities from more than a dozen countries from all around the world. The venue of the bazaar is usualyl the Ljubljana Fairgrounds (Dunajska cesta 10, 1000 Ljubljana, in the city center)
Further Tips For a Christmas Vacation in Slovenia
Apart from looking for Christmas present in the shops of Ljubljana Slovenia has some other fine places where you can spend a wonderful winter vacation and get in the mood of Christmas holidays.
Krvavec -the nearest ski centre to ljubljana
Festive Winter in Bled - the picturesque alpine Lake Bled in the Julian Alps is even more fairy tale like than in winter than in other seasons. Traditional Christmas events create a festive atmosphere in the lake area.
A magical tale the Legend of the Sunken Bell is performed on the lake on 25th December. People in Bled celebrate the New Year's Eve with a promenade around the lake.
Maribor the 2nd largest city of Slovenia has a large-scale New Year's Eve celebration in the old town centre on Trg Svobode.
The Slovenia Coast offers plenty of fun not only during sumemr but in winter too. The lovely medieval towns like Piran, Izola, and Koper abound in cultural and architectural monuments. Portoroz is the largest town on the Slovenian coast with the most lively nightlife scene in the area. The New Years Eve parties on any of this coastla towns along the Adriatic sea promise you a fun and memorable lasd day of the year.
