Why You Should Experience the Winter Festival in Dubrovnik

Recently updated on October 3rd, 2025 at 02:54 am

Returning this winter, the Dubrovnik Winter Festival celebrates Croatia’s vibrant culture and dynamic seasonal traditions. The festival brings together a whole host of events, activities and exhibitions showcasing Croatia’s great music, arts, cuisine and long-held customs. We take a look at what makes this festival in Dubrovnik stand out, and why you should experience it for yourself.

The Wintery Scenes

The UNESCO World Heritage City of Dubrovnik is a scenic setting at any time, but add to this heritage-rich backdrop a sprinkling of snow, sparkling lights and Christmas decorations, and it becomes even more idyllic. Stroll through the Christmas market, glide across the ice on an outdoor ice rink, and watch the carol singers perform.

Seasonal Culinary Specialties

Each country has its signature Christmas foods, and Croatia is no exception. Taste the flavours of the season while wandering through the Christmas market; look out for candied almonds and the local cheeses, alongside culinary specialties such as Croatian doughnuts (fritule), a braided wreath of sweet bread flavoured with citrus and spices, sweet fried biscuits (krostule), and peach-shaped cookies (breskvice).

The Handmade Souvenirs

The winter festival’s Christmas Market is set up along Straden Street. Here, local craftsmen sell handicrafts such as glassware, jewellery and woven and embroidered accessories, as well as handmade Christmas decorations. Where better to pick up those Christmas gifts and holiday souvenirs?

The Festival Revelry

A greatly anticipated part of the festival is the Dubrovnik Carnival. Based on the saying, ‘Our ancestors had fun, and so should we’, the carnival encompasses live music, along with colourful costumed parades.

Understanding Croatian Customs

One of the more traditional sides to the season is the Festivity of St. Blaise – the Day of Dubrovnik’s patron saint whose statues can be seen around the city – which has been celebrated here since the year 972. The event features concerts, exhibitions, and theatre performances, plus the procession of the Festivity of St. Blaise.

The Music and Arts

It’s not just the Christmas period that’s included in the Winter Festival in Dubrovnik; the New Year will be marked with a programme of live music, including a concert by Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra with oysters and Champagne.

Travel to Europe with Trafalgar on the Imperial Europe winter trip, or the Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia trip in the summer.

Image credits: Cover photo of the market produce in Croatia © iStock / Blue Orange Studio. City Port in Dubrovnik © iStock / phant. Croatian fritule © iStock / Luciano Bibulich. Croatian Christmas Crafts © iStock / milanadzic. Fort St. John in Dubrovnik © iStock / phant.