Advent 2020 in Split

Love Actually

It’s the most magical time of the year and our favourite event is back in the city, the Christmas Festival. 2020 has been a strange year with many unexpected things happening due to COVID-19, and all of us are looking forward to the Christmas season to lift our spirits sinking into the content and happiness. 

This year’s Winter Watercolour in Split is returning with a new concept ‘Love Connects All’ and begins on Nov 28 when city officials will light up the first Advent candle. Each week carries special symbolism to pass the positive energy to everyone that visits Advent in Split this year. 

The story begins with hope and celebrating the birth of Jesus, followed by a message of peace and forgiveness, then in the third week joy and happiness until finally Christmas Day when the biggest candle will be lit, symbolising love. 

Safety first

Organisers have made sure that advent celebration this year is aligned with nation-wide measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and have decided not to have traditional Christmas houses on the main waterfront Riva, which in previous years were the very centre of gastronomy during the festive period. Instead, they have decided to scatter houses around the city centre, and now the heart of Christmas festivities will be in Đardin (Strossmayer’s Park), a park known as home to many festivities throughout the year. 

Official program

Thanks to the mild climate and nice weather expected during the holiday season, Đardin will host the main stage for open-air concerts, where visitors will be able to put their ice-skating skills to the test, as the ice rink is returning to the park this year as well. 

Đarding will also be home to four houses for all locally manufactured souvenirs, so every visitor can take home a special and unique memory.

Additional locations around the town will expand the offer, so the street that sits right in front of Đardin Park and in front of the Gallery of Fine Arts will host four trading houses, while square in front of the National Theatre will for the time host two houses, followed by Christmas installations and decor. 

Local traditions

This year make sure not to miss local traditions as the most beautiful part of advent is the very week around Christmas, a special week when local Klapa groups gather at People’s Square (Croatian Narodni Trg – Pjaca) to sing traditional Christmas songs with locals.  

After that, when everyone is warmed up from singing it is time to take a nice walk to the city beach Bačvice to watch locals take part in a traditional swim in the Adriatic and play rounds of ‘picigin’, a local game played in shallow water.

Split around Christmas might not be cold and snowy, but the warmth and sunny weather along with happy and cheerful locals spreading love and happiness are what Christmas time is all about. Advent in Split is a memorable experience not to be missed.

Photos by Damira Kalajžić