Key towns in Istria will be celebrating the New Year keeping pets in mind, replacing loud fireworks with eco-friendly light installations.
Every December 31, cats, dogs and other creatures have to cower from the din as explosions burst across the night sky. This year, revellers in Pula, Poreč, Rovinj, Novigrad and Labin can enjoy spectacular displays safe in the knowledge that the fun is not upsetting fellow four-legged guests and residents.
Pula is laying on a day-long musical celebration, starting with a big band at the main market at 10am, moving onto family-friendly tunes at Portarata at 11am. The grown-ups can then enjoy a show by popular Croatian singer Petar Grašo from 11pm, the party in the Forum running until 4am. Concurrently, electronica DJs will be keeping the crowd dancing in the Citadel from 11pm.
In Poreč, the place to be is the main square of Trg Slobode, where top stars Dalmatino and Istrian favourites Gustafi see in the New Year. Young partygoers get their chance to celebrate at noon.
Live acts and DJs perform on central Trg Maršala Tita in Rovinj while Novigrad will bid farewell to 2024 as early as noon with food, wine music and dancing outside the main sports hall, celebrations running until 7pm.