December is the month in which Ljubljana shines in particular. Not only because of the original lighting decoration of the city, which in itself attracts many visitors, but also because of the varied, interesting and slightly different program that takes place on Ljubljana's streets and squares every year. Many residents of Ljubljana and...
December is the month in which Ljubljana shines in particular. Not only because of the original lighting decoration of the city, which in itself attracts many visitors, but also because of the varied, interesting and slightly different program that takes place on Ljubljana's streets and squares every year. Many residents of Ljubljana and visitors from other parts of Slovenia and from abroad are the ones who make Ljubljana so special. Smiling faces, handshakes and good wishes, the smell of mulled wine and roasted almonds, nostalgic street vendors, sparks of anticipation in the eyes of our youngest... all this is December in Ljubljana.
For this December, we have prepared attractive novelties that will make visiting the city center a particularly nice experience. Part of the holiday fair moves to Breg, and thus a real "holiday promenade" is established from the central Ljubljana market, via Prešeren square, Cankarjev embrezje to Breg. The traditional fair offer will be supplemented by a festive book fair on the Town Square, and it will also be particularly interesting on the new Mesarski bridge, where we have planned street theater performances. You will find all this and more below, where the program of this year's December events is presented in more detail.
In short, December in Ljubljana will be magical.
Don't miss it!
Program of events
People, let's turn on the light!
December 3, 5 p.m., Prešeren Square
Nicholas fair
December 3 – 6, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Prešeren Square
Nicholas procession
5. 12., 17.00, Krekov trg, Ciril Metodov trg, Stritarjeva ulica, Prešernov trg
Holiday fair in Breg
3 December – 2 January, 10:00 – 22:00/24:00, Breg, Cankarjevo nabrežje, Prešernov trg,
Holiday fair on Pogačarjev trg
3 - 31 December, 10:00 - 22:00/24:00, Pogačarjev trg
The power of desire - video visualization
3.-5.12. and 23.12.-2.1., Novi trg
Zoetrope - hand-powered film
3. 12. – 6. 1., Breg 22
Festive book fair
18. – 31. 12., 11.00 – 21.00, Town Square
Nativity scene in the Town Hall
12/18 – 01/08, 17:00 – 21:00, City Hall courtyard
Good fairy
18. – 30. 12., 17.00 – 21.00, Town Square
Choirs of primary schools in Ljubljana
December 22, 4:30 p.m., City Square
Christmas concert
December 24, 5 p.m., City Square
Escorts of Santa Claus
December 26 – 30, 5 p.m., Breg, Čevljarski most, Stari trg, Mestni trg, Stritarjeva ulica, Prešernov trg
Children's events on Prešeren square
26 – 30 December, 11:00 – 13:00, Prešeren Square
Children's events on Nové trg
26 – 30 December, 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Novi trg
Music program on Prešeren square
26. 12. – 02. 01., 20.00, Prešeren Square
Music program in New Square
26. 12. – 01. 01., 19.00, Novi trg
Street theater on the Butcher's Bridge
26 – 30 December, 19.00 – 21.00, Mesarski most
Music program on Pogačarjev trg
28. – 30.12., 16.00, Pogačarjev trg
New Year's Eve at Prešeren square
31. 12., 20.00
New Year's Eve celebrations in Nové, Mestne, Pogačarjev trg and in Križanke
31. 12., 21.00
Fireworks at Ljubljana Castle
January 1, 00:00, Ljubljana Castle
Program of events with event descriptions
People, let's turn on the light
December 3, 5 p.m., Prešeren Square
Cultural event »People, let's turn on the light" is dedicated to the memory of two Slovenian classical literary creators: France Prešern, the greatest Slovenian poet who was born on this day, and Fran Milčinski - Ježek, the most popular Slovenian humorist of all time. The latter was also the author of the song after which the event got its name. The meaning of the name is symbolic, because at the end of the event, all the lights of the festive lighting of our city are turned on at the same time. Also this year, Ljubljana will be decorated with lighting entitled "Birth of Forms", the work of the artist Zmag Modic, which will be supplemented. The start of the lighting will be accompanied by a ceremonial address by the Mayor of the City of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković.
Nicholas fair
December 3 – 6, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Prešeren Square
Festively decorated stalls will sell various gifts, suitable for traditional gift giving on St. Nicholas. The tradition of St. Nicholas, also the patron saint of Ljubljana, who brings gifts to children on the eve of his feast, is a popular part of Slovenian folklore and was first mentioned in written sources in 1839.
Nicholas procession
5. 12., 17.00, Krekov trg, Ciril Metodov trg, Stritarjeva ulica, Prešernov trg
Nicholas will be accompanied by hooves, devils and a choir of little angels on his way through the city center, who will hand out pastries, fruit and candies to the children. According to tradition, little angels give gifts to hard-working children, while hooves and devils scare the naughty ones. Nicholas will address the visitors of the event, before heading inside the Franciscan Church with his entourage.
Holiday fair
3. 12. - 2. 01., 10.00 - 22.00/24.00, 31. 12.: 10.00 - 14.00 Breg, Cankarjevo nabrežje, Prešernov trg
Holiday fair on Pogačarjev trg
1. 12. – 31. 12., 10.00 – 22.00/24.00, Pogačarjev trg
The festively decorated stands will sell a range of selected products suitable for holiday gift giving. The holiday fair is of course also a social event, so there will be no shortage of stands with food offerings, where you will smell of aromatic tea, mulled wine and other delicacies that belong to the December season.
The power of desire - video visualization
3. -5. 12 and 23 December – 2 January, Novi trg
A video visualization will be installed on the New Square. The mapping of the internal happenings - those behind the facade will be mirrored outwards as an explosion of video and sound.
Zoetrope - hand-powered film
3. 12. – 6. 1., Breg 22
A Zoetrope will be placed in front of the house on Brego 22, which from a distance looks like a big hat with pictures in it, but when you turn it, the pictures come to life.
Festive book fair
18. – 31. 12., 11.00 – 21.00, Town Square
A book is the best gift, so a variety of books from various Slovenian publishers will be available at the festive book fair. In the year when Ljubljana is the World Book Capital, the fair will certainly be a frequent destination for visitors.
Nativity scene in the Town Hall
12/18 – 01/08, 17:00 – 21:00, City Hall
You can also watch the Christmas story in the atrium of the Town Hall. The nativity scene, made especially for this occasion, is the work of artist Zmag Modic.
Good fairy
18. – 30. 12, 17.00 – 21.00, Town Square
A good villa, which will be waiting for you every evening in front of the Town Hall, will grant small and good wishes to everyone who visits it.
Choirs of primary schools in Ljubljana
December 22, 4:30 p.m., City Square
Children's voices from elementary school choirs will also contribute to the festive atmosphere in the old part of the city with a performance.
Christmas concert
December 24, 5 p.m., City Square
The traditional Christmas concert in front of the City Hall will be a special experience in the heart of festively decorated Ljubljana that you should not miss.
Performers: Vocal group BIT with soloist Nuška Drašček and pianist Rok Golob
Escorts of Santa Claus
26 – 30 December, 17:00, Breg, Čevljarski most, Stari trg, Mestni trg, Stritarjeva ulica, Prešernov trg
In the last days of this year, Santa Claus will come to Ljubljana from the far north in his carriage. He will visit us accompanied by horsemen on Lipizzaner, snowmen, bears, rabbits and other creatures from folk tales and fairy tales.
Children's events on Prešeren square
26 – 30 December, 11:00 – 13:00, Prešeren Square
Children, as well as their parents, will have fun at Prešeren square, where puppet, circus and dance shows will take place on the stage, as well as performances by magicians.
26. 12. – Played – puppet show Mizica se gronni, Wizard Grega
27. 12. - Performed - puppet show Red Riding Hood, Wizard Grega
28. 12. - Played - puppet show The Three Little Pigs, Wizard Grega
29. 12. - Played - puppet show Snow White, Wizard Grega
30. 12. - Played - puppet show Puss in Boots, Wizard Grega
Children's events on Nové trg
26 – 30 December, 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Novi trg
The pre-holiday afternoons at Nové trg will be dedicated to the youngest, who will be able to watch a special program dedicated to them. Every evening, Santa Claus and his entourage will also visit the children's events.
26. 12. – Played – puppet show Mizica se gronni, Wizard Grega
27.12. – Theatrical play Janko and Metka, Romana Kranjčan and the band
28 December - Played - puppet show Three Pigs, Romana Kranjčan and band
29 December – Puppet show Wolf and Goats, Kazina Dance School
30 December – Played – puppet show Red Riding Hood, top Slovenian actors for children: Polde Bibič, Štefka Drolc, Ivanka Mežnar, Iva Zupančič, Aleksander Valič
Music program on Prešeren square
26. 12. – 2. 01., 20.00, Prešeren square
The festive program on Prešeren Square is traditionally marked by performances by singers and popular music groups. Concerts are a good opportunity to meet friends and acquaintances and enjoy the entertainment program, which will be varied this year:
26 December – Eva Černe, Marko Vozelj
27. 12. – Modrijani, Čuki
28.12. – Kisha, Samuel Lucas
29 December – Nina Pušlar, Kingston
30 December – Nina Badrič, Hari Mata Hari
31.12. – New Year's program
1. 01. – Nuša Derenda, Saša Lendero
2/01 – Šank Rock, a surprise
Music program in New Square
26 December – 1 January, 19:00, Novi trg
After shopping at the holiday fair, you will be able to meet up with friends and acquaintances and enjoy the fun music program that will be on stage this year at Novi trg.
26 December – Victory and Manca Špik
27. 12. – Orlek
28/12 – DJ Fiji, Omar Naber
29 December – Tanja Žagar
12/30 – Rock n Band
31.12. – New Year's program
1. 01. – Jinx
Street theater on the Butcher's Bridge
26 – 30 December, 19.00 – 21.00, Mesarski most
Mesarski Most will be the scene of a lively and colorful schedule of street events. In the street variety show, there will be performances by clowns, puppeteers, artists and circus performers, which both adults and children will enjoy watching. In the second part of the schedule, street theater performances will follow.
Music program on Pogačarjev trg
December 28 – 30, 4 p.m., Pogačarjev trg
Slovenian musicians of popular and folk music will line up on the stage at Pogačarjev trg. Performed by:
28. 12. – Veseli Begunjčani, Ensemble Javor, Claudia, Rusko Richie
29. 12. – Folk idols, Frenk Nova, Manca Špik, Zepeljivke
30 December – Ensemble Zakapana, Korado, Brendi, Dolores, Žana
31 December – New Year's program
New Year's Eve at Prešeren square
31 December, 21:00, Prešeren square
The New Year's Eve program on Prešeren square is intended for the widest range of visitors and is designed so that all generations will have fun. From Prešeren Square, you can also enjoy the most beautiful view of the fireworks that will light up the sky over Ljubljana at midnight from the Ljubljana Castle and herald the start of the new year.
Performers: Helena Blagne, Hazard, Magnifico, Nuša Derenda
New Year's Eve in New Square
31 December, 21:00, Novi trg
New Year's Eve on Novem trg is a new venue this December. It is intended for everyone who likes to dance to good music despite the crowd
Performers: Mambo Kings, Ritmo Loco and Davor Radolfi, Big Foot Mama
New Year's Eve in the City Square
31 December, 21:00, Town Square
New Year's Eve on the Town Square is traditionally aimed at the middle-aged generation, which the selected performers will certainly impress this year as well.
Performers: Stari Mački, Alenka Godec, Oto Pestner
New Year's Eve at Pogačarjev trg
31 December, 21:00, Pogačarjev trg
New Year's Eve at Pogačarjevo will be aimed at fans of Slovenian performers of popular and folk music.
Performed by: Pop'n'girl, Stanko Petrič Ensemble, Krila, Brigita Šuler
New Year's Eve at the Square of the French Revolution
31 December, 21:00, Crosswords
New Year's Eve in Križanke is the right address for fans of alternative rock music.
Performers: Abbeys Road, Sweet Sorrow, Carina, Melodrom, New York-Ska-Jazz Enseble (New York, USA), We Cant Sleep At Night
Fireworks
January 1, 00:00, Ljubljana Castle
One minute after midnight, fireworks will light up the sky over Ljubljana from the Ljubljana Castle and herald the start of the new year.
Notes
Admission to all events is free.
The organizer reserves the right to change the program.
In addition to free parking, which is already provided on Sundays and public holidays at Vodnik Square, visitors to the December events will be able to parking on Vodnikov trg additionally every day in December from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., and the last week of the year from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
