New Year’s Eve in Zagreb
New Year's Eve in Zagreb, Croatia
I arrived in Zagreb two days before New Year’s Eve while they were setting up the Ban Jelačić Square for the NYE festivities. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was hoping it would be an interesting environment for a foreigner and travel blogger to spend New Year’s Eve in Zagreb.
I spent New Year’s Eve in Zagreb, ringing in the year 2019, on my last night in Croatia. After a long day at Plitvice Lakes National Park, I returned to my hotel, Hotel Dubrovnik, which was located just meters away from Zagreb’s Ban Jelačić Square. Being exhausted, I decided to take a nap. To ensure I didn’t miss New Year’s Eve, I set my alarm for 11:30 pm. After waking up just in time, I fought my way through the crowd to get a good view of the stage. The stage was located at the east end of Ban Jelačić Square, and the entire square was packed full of people
Towards the bottom of this page, there is a video of the countdown, a few of the songs, and the fireworks show that took place after. Be sure to check out the Christmas Markets in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve in Zagreb.
The party had been going on for a long time, and there were well over 50,000 people in front of the stage. I was able to get towards the center of the stage way towards the back of the square.
After listening to a few Croatian songs, the countdown took place. When the count hit zero, there was nothing for a few seconds, and then suddenly, the fireworks started. It was a bit of a delay that had everyone looking around thinking: “that’s it?”
While it wasn’t the type of New Year’s Eve Celebration that would be seen in New York, it was fun to celebrate my first New Year’s Eve in a foreign country. By 12:30 am, I was back in my hotel room getting ready for bed and a long day of traveling to get home.
New Year's Eve in Zagreb, Croatia - Table of Contents
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2019 New Year's Eve Videos - Zagreb, Croatia
To film these videos, I only have my iPhone. I didn’t want to bring my camera and/or tripod into the huge crowd. I apologize for the poor quality of them, but they should give an idea of the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Zagreb Christmas Markets
Zagreb is famous for its Christmas Markets. After the celebration for New Year’s Eve in Zagreb, I walked around the Christmas Markets. The markets span the streets around Ban Jelačić Square. I could walk right outside my hotel and be right in the heart of the Christmas Markets. Below are a few pictures.
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Zagreb Area Tours and Packages
If you are looking for something to do before celebrating New Year’s Eve, I have linked a few Zagreb area tours and packages below. I tried to find unique experiences that are different than the typical Zagreb tourist sights.
I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. If any of these interest you, I would appreciate it if you booked using my link.
Prices are accurate as of April 2023.
 Zagreb city tour and nature park Medvednica - $101.67 The tour of the capital will take you into the charming world of two different cities: the modern, urban and vibrant country’s capital and the historic and cultural Zagreb that grew side by side with its Austrian counterpart – Vienna. We shall take a ride with the Zagreb’s funicular – the shortest cable car in the world, having only 66 meters in length – connecting downtown Zagreb with the upper (old) town.We will visit Zagreb open market,beautiful city parks and squres,we will have coffee at local bar.We will explore the old city like a locals do.Afterwords we will go for panorma tour of Zagreb's residential area on its hiil tops with a visit to nature park Medvednica |
 ZAGREB CULTURE & FOOD TOUR - $47.10 This tour consists of breaking the walk with three tastings on our way through the historical center of Zagreb, mixing two popular ways of discovery : the food and the culture tours. My first Zagreb Food Tour started in 2015 and since then many travelers have been mixing it with a culture and history tour Zagreb. On our way throught the historical part of the Croatian capital we will visit the Kaptol – with the Dolac farmer's market (next to the cathedral), the Tkalciceva Street and the Upper Town with the Stone Gate, St. Mark's Square, the Lotrscak Tower, the walking alley with the view (during the day) of the modern city. |
 The tale of two hills - private walking tour of Zagreb - $131.62 Walk with us through the historical parts of the city of Zagreb - Kaptol, and Gradec and find out how the cities developed, fought against each other to finally be merged into one and grown into the largest and most important city in the Republic of Croatia. |
 Old Zagreb Private Walking Tour - $112.50 Old Zagreb Private Walking Tour is a 2,5 hour introduction to the city of Zagreb. It focuses both on history and culture as well as the modern everyday life of Zagreb as the capital of Croatia. At a moderate pace, guests explore Gradec and Kaptol, medieval predecessors of Zagreb, covering all the main sights of Zagreb including the Ban Jela?i? Square, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church, Lotrš?ak Tower, The Bloody Bridge, Zagreb Cathedral and many more. |
 Zagreb Time Travel – Discover Zagreb with a fun interactive tablet city tour! - $34.70 Zagreb Time Travel is digital tour of Zagreb that lets you travel back in time by using our tablet and new augmented reality & VR technologies. You rent our tablet, which becomes your Time machine. |
 Daily Bike Tour of Zagreb - $52.36 One city, two wheels and tons of fun - experience Zagreb on a bicycle with a different twist! Tours are provided in small groups up to 10 people. This Zagreb daily bike tour, take in the most iconic sights and attractions of the Croatian capital by bicycle! |
 ZAGREB WWII TOUR - $29.84 The first and only WWII tour in Zagreb! This is more than a story about just one or two communities - Jewish, orhodox, Serb, Croatian, political groups... This is a story about the city and its citizens and their way of fighting and surviving the toughest times in the history of Zagreb and Croatia. Zagreb World War II Tour gives answers to frequently asked questions about the events during the nineteen thirties and forties. Zagreb was developing fast in those days especially to the east of the historical center. Nice and stylish houses and buildings of that period were transformed during WW2 to become the symbols of the nightmare that started in April 1941. The brutality of the revenge gave a bittersweet taste to the victory in 1945. |
 The best of Zagreb - a drive and walk private tour of Zagreb from Opatija/Rijeka - $188.34 This is an ideal tour of Zagreb. We start with a drive through the downtown area of Zagreb and cover the Green Horseshoe of Zagreb and it's main sights. After parking the car we continue for a walking tour of the upper town of Zagreb - Kaptol and Gradec where the history of the city lies. |
 Hop On Hop Off Panoramic bus - Zagreb City Tour - $19.49 Discover Zagreb from a different perspective with a ZAGREB CITY TOUR HOP ON HOP OFF panoramic bus. A comprehensive tour of the city with Audio-guide available in 10 languages, you’ll be driven around the top sights, monuments and landmarks in a open top bus. It’s the perfect opportunity to customise your own tour, you can hop-on, hop-off at any stop to explore Zagreb at your leisure. With this service, you can pick and choose your journey and discover everything there is to see of Croatia's historic capital! With just one ticket you can get on and off at as many stops as you like. We provide free WIFI on board. Take all the advantages and discounts that your Zagreb City Tour booklet provides you, just present your booklet when when purchasing the listed services and save the money. With the coupons you get attractive discounts at selected attractions, shops and restaurants in Zagreb. |
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