Dubrovnik continues to thrive to the rhythm of fantastic music as part of this year’s Dubrovnik Winter Festival. On Saturday evening, Stradun will come alive with a performance by the popular Vanna, and throughout the week, a variety of music programs will further enhance the magic of Advent. Let’s start from the beginning!

The Dubrovnik Tourist Board is once again organizing the traditional gastronomic event Days of Codfish, taking place from December 19th to 24th as part of the rich Dubrovnik Winter Festival program. In collaboration with 27 restaurants, Days of Codfish offer a diverse selection of traditional and creative codfish dishes, perfectly blending into the festive atmosphere of Dubrovnik.

Friday morning, December 19th, will be reserved for a cheerful group that will dance and entertain many residents on a singing convertible bus, traveling the route Pile – Hladnica – Pošta Lapad – Gruška placa – Viktorija – Ploče – Pile, led by the ever-present Medo, the Lazareti Dance Studio, and the Taliri quartet.

Later that day, at 4:00 PM, the first Dubrovnik Vinyl DJ Festival will introduce a new music event dedicated to vinyl culture, DJing on turntables, and the promotion of analog music heritage. The festival is organized to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Dubrovnik 33/45 Association, an active community of vinyl record lovers, and their yearly collaboration with Love Bar in hosting monthly music programs. The festival will last for two days, December 19th and 20th. A similarly rich program will continue in TUP at the TIP TOP TUP.

At 8:00 PM on Friday evening, the Festanica program will present Du not worry on the Weapons Square.

Saturday morning begins with the Christmas 10k Race in Gruž at 9:00 AM. The free themed guided tours of the Old Town will continue at 9:30 AM (in English) and 12:30 PM (in Croatian), organized by the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, starting at the TIC at Pile.

After the thematic tour, at 11:30 AM, there will be a folk dance performance in front of St. Blaise’s Church, which will be canceled in case of bad weather.

As part of the Colorful Winter in the Bay program, this Saturday will be filled with creativity, colors, and a festive atmosphere. The program starts at 10:00 AM with the My Dream House workshop, to be held at the Esperanza bar, led by Barbara Gjurović from Entrate. At 11:00 AM, there will be a Christmas Painting Workshop at the Esperanza bar, led by Giovanna Kličan from the Art Studio Kantunić, bringing an inspiring artistic experience for children and youth in the spirit of the holidays. At 12:00 PM, there will be a Carol and Christmas Songs Workshop, featuring the Dubrovnik Children’s Choir, along with a performance by the KUD Sv. Juraj from Osojnici, highlighting traditional music and togetherness.

In anticipation of Christmas in Mokošica, the Holy Family Parish has prepared an equally rich and varied program for the youngest, filled with creativity, performances, and games. The program starts at 2:00 PM with the theater play Hedgehog’s House by the Kolarin Theater Company. At 3:00 PM, there will be a Creative Christmas Workshop organized by the Society of Our Children Dubrovnik, where children will develop their creativity through imaginative creation. The program continues at 4:00 PM with a 3D Pen Workshop organized by the Technical Culture Community of Dubrovnik and the Futura IT Club, offering children the opportunity to explore modern technologies in a fun and educational way.

At the TIC at Pile, the North Pole Station will organize creative holiday workshops for preschool children (ages 3 to 6) on Saturday, December 20th, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The workshops are designed to introduce children to the joy of the holiday season through play, creative expression, and a stimulating environment.

The afternoon and evening hours will bring special moments of togetherness and holiday warmth as part of the In Anticipation of Christmas in Mokošica program at the Parish of the Most Holy Savior. At 4:30 PM, there will be a Christmas Card and Gift-Making Workshop organized by the Parish Caritas of Mokošica, offering participants the chance to express themselves creatively and participate in the beautiful act of giving. The program continues at 6:00 PM with the lighting of the fourth Advent candle, symbolizing the final wait for Christmas and uniting the community in a spirit of peace and hope.

At 7:00 PM, at the Marina Držić Theatre, there will be a ballet performance of The Nutcracker, a timeless Christmas story that brings magic, emotion, and grand stage expression every year. The performance is directed by Paolo Tišljarić.

In Dubrovnik Advent Park, at 7:30 PM, the Retro Party by Old School DJ’s will start, bringing a musical celebration of the golden hits of past decades.

At 8:00 PM, at the Church of the Friars Minor, the Linđo Folklore Ensemble will perform their Christmas concert. At 9:00 PM, Vanna will perform on Stradun, bringing the evening to life with her distinct musical style.

Sunday, December 21st, should definitely be reserved for the Days of Codfish, and at 2:00 PM, head to Advent Park, where Medolino animators will entertain children and parents with creative games and animations. At 4:00 PM, the Dubrovnik Children’s Choir will perform, bringing joyful songs and music to further enrich the program.

From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the North Pole Station in the TIC at Pile, a creative workshop called Children Give Memories will be held, where kids can make personalized Christmas cards. The workshop is intended for children ages 3 to 8 and requires prior registration.

At 5:00 PM, the Living Nativity Scenes will take place in front of the Cathedral, offering a special Christmas scene where the Christmas story will come alive in the most beautiful way.

At 7:00 PM, at the Marina Držić Theatre, there will be another performance of The Nutcracker under the direction of Paolo Tišljarić, followed by the DUB Pub music quiz on the Weapons Square at 7:30 PM as part of the Festanica program.

On Monday, December 22nd, the afternoon will bring a special Christmas reading at 5:00 PM at the Children’s Section of the City Library. The readings and storytelling sessions are aimed at preschool and lower elementary school-aged children and combine reading, discussions about the text, and artistic expression.

At 6:00 PM, the Ethnographic Museum at the "Rupe" Granary will open the exhibition Gruški Škar – 500 Years of History, offering a look into the rich history and tradition of the Gruž Škar, marking five hundred years of this cultural phenomenon.

At 8:00 PM, at the Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, a magnificent Christmas concert will be held by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ivana Hut. The concert will feature the Four Tenors and soloists Renata Sabljak and Marija Vidović, with the Blasius Choir, creating an unforgettable musical evening filled with Christmas melodies and harmonies.

On Tuesday, December 23rd, don’t miss the Days of Codfish and another performance of The Nutcracker at 7:00 PM.

In front of the Student Dormitory, at 8:00 PM, Bosutski Bećari will perform, bringing a lively tambura atmosphere to Vojnović.

On Wednesday, December 24th, at 12:00 PM, the Christmas Eve Caroling will be held on Stradun, performed by the Linđo Folklore Ensemble, the Libertas Choir, and the Dubrovnik City Band, bringing the magic of Christmas carols and a true holiday experience.

In Dubrovnik Advent Park, from 1:30 PM to 12:00 AM, a Christmas Eve DJ Party will be held, adding to the festive spirit on Stradun, Gundulićeva Poljana, Pile-Brsalje, and the Weapons Square.

On Christmas Day, the unforgettable Siniša Vuco will perform at Advent Park at 7:30 PM, with the concert lasting until the early hours.

The beloved Moto Santa Claus parade will visit Stradun on December 26th at noon, bringing festive cheer on two wheels, continuing their traditional holiday ride. The day after the most beautiful day of the year, at the Student Dormitory at 8:00 PM, the well-known Dubrovnik band Silente will perform.

The ice rinks in Lapad and Mokošica will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 11:00 PM. Due to weather conditions and optimal ice formation temperatures, the working hours may change to ensure safety. However, it is important to note that both ice rinks will be closed on Christmas Day. The carousel at Pile will be open on weekdays from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on weekends from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

To make it easier for residents and visitors to attend Advent programs, free public transportation on Libertas buses is available every day from 5:00 PM until the last departure. Additionally, the price of the DU Pass, a combined ticket for the most important Dubrovnik attractions, has been reduced from €40 to €20, encouraging greater access to cultural content during the Advent period.

The City of Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, and the Dubrovnik Summer Games, in collaboration with cultural institutions and public enterprises, are preparing a wide range of events for residents and visitors of all ages.

The Dubrovnik Winter Festival is held with the support of Dubrovnik Airport, Coca-Cola, Adriatic Luxury Hotels, RAO d.o.o., Best in Parking, Dubrovnik Port, ATIS Dubrovnik, Texo Molior, Villas Dubrovnik, wpd Adria d.o.o., OTP Bank, Hotel Lero, Construction Quelin, Grand Hotel Park Dubrovnik, Tehnogradnja, Flamingo Catering, Elektro Team d.o.o., Kompas Travel, and PROTO-ARCH.