Date: 1. December 2025
Time to read: 1 min
Late November and early December is the time when many streets around Slovenia brighten up and cold days take on a special warmth. The festive season brings city centres to life in full seasonal attire, and for a few weeks streets and squares become venues for imagination, music, socialising and good wishes. During Advent, Slovenia offers everything from large concert stages to intimate light installations, family events and cultural festivals.
Ljubljana adorned with 50 kilometres of lights
In Ljubljana, the festive lighting traditionally illuminates the city on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent.
The capital is decorated with more than 800 light elements, ten Christmas trees and 50 kilometres of lights, giving the city a distinctive yet slightly different character each year.
This year's decorations tell an artistic story and the main message is that "we can get along really well even when we are different".
In the coming weeks, the city will host the St Nicholas' Day parade, Ice Queen parades with juggling, magical illusions and acrobatic acts, and Father Frost parades. Creative workshops will be held in Zvezda Park, the squares will be transformed into concert venues, and street theatre performances will take place on Krek Square as part of the Ana Mraz festival. The highlight will be the traditional New Year's Eve celebration at four venues and a fireworks display from the castle hill.
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The festive decorations of Ljubljana can be explored on guided city tours and a panoramic boat ride along the Ljubljanica. Photo: Ljubljana Tourism
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In Zvezda Park, lanterns crafted by Ljubljana’s primary school students are beautifully displayed. Photo: Ljubljana Tourism
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Across the city small clusters of 89 living evergreen trees have been set up. The residents are invited to help decorate them. Photo: Ljubljana Tourism
Magical Maribor
Even before Ljubljana, Maribor lit up its festive decoration, with more than 200 events planned to take place during the festive season. The Magic Christmas Village has come to life on the Main Square, and the Vetrinjski dvor is once again home to the Fairy City, an imaginative festival featuring workshops, playrooms, performances and film screenings. The festive atmosphere is complemented by the Ana Mrzla Mariborska street theatre, while Leon Štukelj Square will host 18 free concerts.
The Giant Ferris Wheel offers a wonderful view of the festively decorated city, while this year's novelty is the Path of Kisses, which leads through the most beautiful corners of the city.
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Maribor has transformed into a festive winter wonderland. Photo: Pigac.si
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Magical photo spots invite you to capture your festive moments, while the Fairy City opens its doors to imagination, creativity, and joyful childlike wonder. Photo: Pigac.si
Fairytale Celje: European City of Christmas
Celje, which is proud to be named European City of Christmas 2025, has even more festive decorations this year, and the programme has been extended to four new venues.
A key innovation is a set of light installations created by local artists and creators using the motifs and sounds of cultural heritage.
This year’s Fairytale Land, one of Celje’s most recognisable festive features, will bring new interactive points, fairytale characters, carriages and creative content. The City Park has been enhanced with a mini children’s ski slope, sledding hill and cross-country skiing track, while visitors will experience a live medieval nativity scene for the first time at Celje Castle.
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The festive season in Celje will last for 39 days, featuring more than 100 events across 17 locations. Photo: Lea Remic Valenti
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Celje’s Holiday Program features around 50 events for children and families, along with 40 musical performances for teens and adults. Photo: Lea Remic Valenti
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You’ll also be delighted by a series of captivating light installations. Photo: Lea Remic Valenti
Sea of Winter Adventures and Fantazima
In Koper, the festive lights will be lit on 6 December, marking the beginning of a rich variety of December events called Fantazima (Fantasy Winter). With the lights switch-on, Koper will welcome St Nicholas bringing joy to the youngest visitors. The ice rink, amusement park, Winter Village, Fairytale Street and Santa's Post Office will also come to life on this day.
More than 130 events in Piran, Portorož and Lucija this year are linked by the Sea of Winter Adventures: an extended festive story featuring concerts, fairs, theatre and children's shows and workshops.
Portorož has come aglow with the opening of the ice rink and the lights switch-on marking the start of the Christmas and New Year Fair. Piran's Tartini Square will once again be the main stage for concerts, the opening of the festive market and the popular New Year’s Eve by the sea.
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In the heart of the picturesque Tartini Square in Piran, a magical holiday market will come to life from 19 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Photo: Jaka Ivančič
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By the sea, surrounded by twinkling lights and the scent of festive treats, you’ll find stalls offering local products, gifts, and warm holiday cheer. Photo: Jaka Ivančič
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In Portorož, the Sparkling Wine Festival will take place on 26 December, offering a chance to taste the finest sparkling wines from Slovenian, Croatian, Italian, Spanish, and French cellars. Photo: Jaka Ivančič
Advent in Novo mesto
On 5 December, Novo mesto will transform into a festive town with the switching-on of the lights, the arrival of St Nicholas and the opening of the ice skating rink on the Main Square, where the Advent Market will also come to life. In addition to local vendors, local secondary-school graduates will sell their products to collect voluntary donations for the prom.
Over the next few weeks, more than 60 events will take place, ranging from children's shows, concerts and choir singing to a visit from Father Frost. Part of the December magic will be the Advent Trail along the Krka River, designed for families with young children.
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From 5 to 23 December, a variety of events will take place each evening on the main stage at the Main Square – from children’s shows and kindergarten performances to concerts, dance routines, and choir singing. Photo: Davorin Pavlenič
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The highlight of the event will be from 25 to 31 December, when concerts by well-known Slovenian musicians will take place on the main stage. Photo: Davorin Pavlenič
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The gift-giving to children will be held from 19 to 21 December in collaboration with the Mojca Association of Friends of Youth. Photo: Davorin Pavlenič
And elsewhere in Slovenia ...
The festive atmosphere in Slovenia is far from limited to the largest cities and towns. In Brežice, Krško, Murska Sobota and elsewhere, a wide range of events from concerts, fairs, workshops to light installations will again be organised to complement the festive events around the country and offer visitors the opportunity to discover smaller, but wonderfully warm December experiences.
