What to see and what to buy at the Christmas Markets in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The parties and events for families and friends that take place every year from November to January.
Ljubljana is a city magical and elegant, with its somewhat Austrian character and houses with pointed roofs. The buildings of the old town in Baroque style and the romantic walk along the Ljubljanica river, make it one of the most interesting capitals in Europe.
And if you are lucky enough to visit it during the Christmas holidays, don't miss the Ljubljana Christmas Markets, which from late November to early January, give the city an even more intense and joyful climate.
When to visit the Ljubljana Christmas Markets
25 November -1 January - 10.00-23.00 - souvenir stand: Breg, Pogačarjev trg
25 November - 8 January - 10.00-24.00 - food stands: Prešernov trg, Cankarjevo nabrežje, Kongresni trg, Pogačarjev trg.
What to buy at the Ljubljana Christmas Markets
The Christmas markets in Ljubljana occupy the historical center of the city.
Its wooden houses become the set of a continuous party that attracts many people every year, both from Ljubljana and from other parts of Europe.
For the Ljubljana it is an opportunity to meet up with friends, sip a mulled wine and chat over a plate of sausages or grilled meat.
If, on the other hand, you visit the markets in search of souvenirs or Christmas gifts, the choice is very wide and very varied.
You will find among the most original proposals local handicrafts and works by young and innovative local designers, which you will hardly find in stores.
If you want to go home instead with something characteristic to bring to the table, you can opt for typical Slovenian sweets or liqueurs.
Given that the rather low temperatures require it, consider also buying scarves, hats, or other fashion accessories that you will find peeking through the various stalls.
Events during the Christmas Markets
The fun during the Christmas holidays does not end with the market houses.
In fact, in Ljubljana throughout the festive period there is a very cheerful and lively atmosphere, with the many events hosted in the festively decorated historic center.
Concerts, parades, events for families and children, fireworks, art exhibitions and games: these are the proposals for Christmas in Ljubljana.
You can admire the large straw nativity scene in Breg, in front of the Zois palace, with its life-size characters and have fun in front of the procession of San Nicolò that parades through the streets of the center distributing sweets and candies.
Or you can attend the performances of music box players. I bet few of you have ever seen them at work, right?
And even theater artists, mimes and jugglers will animate the streets of the center to celebrate Christmas properly.
For the last of the year you can attend outdoor popular music concerts And if you look up to the sky a minute after midnight, you will see the spectacle of fireworks that will start from the Castle of Ljubljana.
And with the sky of Ljubljana lit up, the new year begins.
How to get to Ljubljana
Getting to Ljubljana it's very easy. From the Italian border in about 1 hour and a half by car you can reach the city.
Alternatively you can take the train or the bus from Trieste and in a few hours you will be at your destination.
