Christmas in Ljubljana: Festive December, the lights and the markets

The Christmas lights

Ljubljana is famous for its festive lights: the streets, the bridges and the trees along the Ljubljanica glow with installations, many designed by local artists, and the old town looks its most romantic after dark. The switch-on, traditionally on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, draws crowds to Prešeren Square.

The markets

Wooden stalls line the river embankments and the squares, selling mulled wine, hot chocolate, sausages, honey, crafts and gifts, with music on stages around the centre. Weekday evenings are calmer than weekends.

Concerts and traditions

December is a season of concerts in churches, at the Philharmonic and at Cankarjev dom. Three good-natured gift-bringers visit Slovenian children: St Nicholas on 6 December, Father Christmas at Christmas and Grandfather Frost at New Year.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve brings open-air concerts and celebrations to the centre. Restaurants fill up early; book dinner well ahead.

Winter trips

Winter is a beautiful time at Bled, which holds its own festive events by the lake, and the ski season usually begins in December at Kranjska Gora, Vogel and other resorts, depending on snow. The caves stay at about 10°C all year, so Postojna is a good winter outing too.

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