Advent in Rijeka

See Rijeka go Christmas crazy at this annual celebration of all things yuletide. The city’s parks, stages and squares are lit up by twinkling Christmas lights and little wooden-roofed huts flavour the air with the smell of mulled wine and seasonal menus (serious gastronauts would be well advised to look out for the great offer at the ones on Riječke square). There's plenty of arts, crafts and souvenirs available too. There's a city centre ice-skating rink which lies at the Karolina pier, in view of the sea, which dedicates every December weekday from 8 am-4 pm to children. Ice skates are free to rent in this time period, as are ice-skating lessons, although you have to sign up in advance (you can find out how on the website of Doma mladih Rijeka). On weekdays after 4 pm and all weekend, the rink is open to everyone. On city centre stages you'll find a free entertainment programme which will cover everything from classical music and seasonal choirs to Croatian rock, pop and hip hop stars like TBF, Koktelsi, Night Express, Opća Opasnost and Grupa Adastra. There's a Santa's grotto located in the tunnels below the city and Santa's train will once again be offering free rides to children through the city centre, every day between 4 pm and 7 pm/8 pm. Perhaps Rijeka's most lovely feature is the Trsat castle, which looks down on the city centre and at Christmas, you’d struggle to find a more fairytale-like setting. The castle and its monuments will be covered in some 17 kilometres of beautifully-curated lights and the area has its own ice skating rink, Santa's Grotto and wooden huts too plus concerts and performances throughout December and on New Year's Eve too.