Dubrovnik is a city most people associate with summer crowds, which is exactly why winter is the best time to visit. The Dubrovnik Winter Festival runs for over five weeks, and the tradition of kolenda, carollers with guitars and mandolins going door to door on Christmas Eve, dates back to the 13th century and is something you won’t experience anywhere else.
Dubrovnik Christmas Market 2026
Dates
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Dubrovnik: 28th November 2026 to 2nd January 2027
Last checked: July 2026
Update: Last year’s dates were announced in October. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.
Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Dubrovnik Winter Festival.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Luza Square and Stradun (this is the main street within the city walls).
Opening times: 10am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Dubrovnik Old Town walking tour.
Parking: Parking is only available outside of the city walls.
Travel tips: Buying a ticket to walk the city walls is well worth the money. The views are incredible.
Where to stay: Boutique Hotel Stari Grad is 3 minutes from Luza Square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Lights: Switch on date: Not announced.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, at Uvala Lapad.
Reason to visit: Incredibly beautiful UNESCO and calm sea views.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Sugared orange peels, Croatian cheeses, pastries and even ice cream.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended during busy periods.
Convenient Hotels
I’ve always stayed outside of the city walls as it’s generally more affordable. However, it would be nice to stay more centrally located in winter to avoid long walks in the chilly weather. The central Boutique Hotel Stari Grad is a good option in this area.
Recommended Tours
It’s nice to take a walking tour in Dubrovnik as there is so much interesting history to learn about. This Old Town walking tour is the most popular one.
It starts near Pile Gate, the western entrance to the Old Town. From there, you’ll be guided by the city’s major landmarks, including Large Onofrio’s Fountain, Orlando’s Column and Rector’s Palace.
Another great option is the 3-hour food and wine tour. Walk the ancient streets of the city’s Old Town, stopping to sample local specialties and a glass of regional wine.
Festival Location
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What to Expect
Dubrovnik’s Winter Festival offers family-friendly cultural and entertainment programmes, with the festival’s mascots, the Bear and the Elves, roaming the streets and greeting visitors.
Stradun is where you’ll find much of the action and a towering Christmas tree. Stalls highlight regional foods and traditional crafts, including handmade ornaments and Croatian embroidery.
Over in Lapad Bay, key attractions include the North Pole Station, an ice rink, and the Advent Train.
Regional Specialties
- Kuhano Vino: This is the Croatian take on mulled wine.
- Arancini: Not to be confused with the Italian rice balls of the same name, Croatian arancini are candied orange peels.
- Fritule: These are small doughnuts in various flavours like lemon zest, then sprinkled with icing sugar.
- Makovnjača: This poppy seed roll is a traditional dessert in Croatia.
- Rožata: Similar to a crème caramel or flan.
- Bakalar na Bijelo: A dish of dried, salted cod that is cooked with potatoes, garlic and olive oil.
- Sarma: Rolled cabbage leaves filled with a mix of minced meat, rice and local spices.
- Krpice sa zeljem: Homemade pasta cooked with sauteed cabbage and garlic.
- Sausages: Grilled Croatian sausages like kulen and German-style bratwurst.
- Cheeses: Look out for ‘paški sir’, a hard sheep’s milk cheese from the Island of Pag, and ‘skuta’, a soft curd cheese that’s a Croatian delicacy.
Gifts and Stocking Fillers
- Croatian Olive Oil: Croatia is famous for its high-quality olive oil.
- Ornaments: Range from painted baubles to ornaments crafted from local materials such as wood, ceramics, or glass.
- Lace Products: The city of Dubrovnik and the nearby island of Pag are famous for traditional lace-making.
- Konavle Embroidery: Originating from the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik, this traditional embroidery style decorates clothing, especially traditional costumes.
- Local Spirits: Croatian brandy, known as ‘rakija’, is strong but popular. Flavours can vary from classic grape to more unique infusions like fig, walnut, or honey.
Sustainability Tips
- Eco-Friendly Hotels: Many hotels in Dubrovnik make use of solar panels for heating and electricity and implement sustainability measures.
- Food Waste: To minimise food waste, try to plan your meals and portion sizes, particularly at the market stalls where the food is especially tempting.
- Ethical Consumption: Support local producers and makers but only buy what you really need.
- Sustainable Diet: Eating local and seasonal food is a great way to support regional producers. Choose vegetarian and plant-based dishes that have a lower environmental impact.
- Transport: Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a pedestrian-only zone, so you can get around by walking or cycling. Consider using public buses outside of the old town.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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