Varaždin announces enhanced Advent program and European candidacy

The city of Varaždin is expanding its Advent celebrations, featuring an upgraded version of the popular Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer flight attraction. This visual spectacle, which uses a zip line to simulate Santa Claus flying along the Old Town ramparts, attracted approximately 60,000 visitors last year and will return with new visual effects and content.

Mayor Neven Bosilj announced several additions to the holiday program, including the opening of Croatia’s largest ice skating rink at Kapucinski Square on November 19. The rink will be expanded by 300 square meters. Other planned developments include new zones around the Old Town, a potential tourist train connecting Kapucinski Square to Santa’s House, and a new attraction at the former Vindilan site funded by the Croatian National Tourist Board.

Varaždin has also officially applied to become the European Advent Capital in 2027, competing in the category for cities with populations under 100,000.