The biggest Advent ever on Krk
Over 30 mega events: why you have to experience Christmas & New Year’s Eve 2026 by the sea!
When the scent of mulled wine, cinnamon and traditional island delicacies mingles with the fresh sea breeze of the Adriatic, the most magical time of the year begins on the golden island of Krk. The sixth edition of “Advent u Krku” (Advent in Krk town) presents itself in winter 2026 richer, more varied and more atmospheric than ever before.
This year’s Advent begins with one of the most popular and eagerly awaited holiday events – the ceremonial switching-on of the Christmas lights – followed by numerous live concerts, creative workshops, theatre performances, fascinating talks as well as attractive outdoor activities and first-class food and drink.
On 29 November 2026, thousands of Christmas lights will be switched on in the historic old town of Krk and the festive gatherings opened. Once again this year, the central meeting point for all visitors and islanders is the famous half-dome (Polukupola) next to Veli Park, right under the time-honoured nettle tree (ispod koprivića), where top-class music performances and festive programmes alternate throughout December. You’ll find all other events on the island in our event calendar for the island of Krk.
This year, for the first time, the ceremonial switching-on of the Advent lights will be accompanied musically by DJ Luca Montecchi. After that, an exceptionally varied music programme awaits you – from high-energy cover bands and DJ sets to emotional klapa singing, acoustic evenings and concerts by local musicians. Among the musical highlights, the big anniversary concert for the 30th anniversary of Klapa Kampanel stands out, as does the performance by the hugely popular Klapa Rišpet. The holiday programme is rounded off by lovingly designed children’s programmes and cultural events.
A very special place is also taken by the farewell to the old year on 31 December – with the traditional midday toast by the Mayor of Krk, a lively daytime music programme and the big open-air New Year’s Eve party in the evening. Throughout the Advent season, the festively decorated Advent huts (Adventske kućice) offer delicious winter food and drink in a warm atmosphere from 29 November to 31 December. And for all active holidaymakers, Krk Winter Trails is back too – with guided bike tours and themed hikes that perfectly combine active relaxation in nature, the island’s rich heritage and authentic local food.
Live music under the lights
From the big light opening with DJ Luca Montecchi and the 30th anniversary of Klapa Kampanel to the Christmas concert by Klapa Rišpet at the half-dome by Veli Park.
Krk Winter Trails & good food
Two guided bike tours and two storytelling hikes through Šotovento, Prniba and the old town – including tastings of šurlice, cheese and Žlahtina.
Advent huts & New Year’s Eve
For over a month, mulled wine and island specialities by the sea. On 31 December: New Year’s toast at 12:00 and live music from 22:30 into 2027.
Musical evenings under a sea of lights
Traditional klapa singing, soulful acoustic performances and exuberant dancing to live bands and DJs give every single Advent weekend in Krk town its very own musical character:
The grand opening
The first Christmas lights will be switched on on Sunday, 29 November, at exactly 17:00 accompanied by DJ Luca Montecchi. His rousing selection of disco and house rhythms combined with popular Christmas classics immediately gives the first Advent gathering a danceable groove and opens more than a month of musical encounters.
Anita i Trio Express, Venus band & Sergej & Slađana
The first Friday in December (4 December) is opened by Anita i Trio Express at 18:00 with their atmospheric programme „U ritmu Adventa“ (In the rhythm of Advent). Straight afterwards, from 19:00 the Venus band takes the stage and ensures the best dancing mood with a wide repertoire of entertainment music and international hits.
On Saturday, 5 December, from 20:00 visitors can look forward to a wonderful acoustic evening with the duo Sergej & Slađana (Sergej Božić and Slađana Čolović). Sergej Božić, a talented young musician from the island of Krk, and Slađana Čolović present acoustic interpretations of famous ballads and popular Croatian and international songs with guitar accompaniment – an evening full of warmth, familiar melodies and singing along together.
Young talent, DJ Alex Sabattini & 30 years of Klapa Kampanel
On Friday, 11 December, the stage first belongs to the island’s young talents: at 14:00 the choir of the Fran Krsto Frankopan primary school (OŠ Fran Krsto Frankopan) sings, followed by the performance of the participants of the Kreativni Krk association’s music workshops at 16:00 – from kindergarten and school children to adults. From 20:00 DJ Alex Sabattini takes over the decks – a well-known guarantee of a great atmosphere at the Krk Advent gatherings, whose sets combine modern dance beats with popular retro favourites.
On Saturday, 12 December, the programme starts at 16:00 with the Christmas concert by the children of the Milohnići community centre (Društveni dom Milohnići). At 19:00 one of the big highlights of the whole Advent follows: the performance by the famous Klapa Kampanel, celebrating their 30th stage anniversary. Their success story began when students from Primošten joined forces in Zagreb. Over the decades they have enriched traditional klapa singing with modern influences and brought it closer to millions of listeners with hits such as „Aj ća, volin te“, „Nitko se ne smije kao ti“ and „Anđele moj“. They’re coming to Krk to celebrate this anniversary together with the audience with their unmistakable polyphonic singing.
The weekend before Christmas
On Friday, 18 December, at 17:00 the children’s choir Rokeri sv. Jakova from Kornić first delights the audience. At 19:00 the well-known Krk band Grupa Insula rings in the pre-Christmas weekend with local and international hits and its beloved pop-rock sound. On Saturday, 19 December, at 19:00 the Rijeka-based Feedback band takes the stage with high-energy live music.
The pre-Christmas Sunday, 20 December, is crowned at 19:00 by the traditional Christmas concert of the Krk town band (Gradska glazba Krk). As one of the oldest music associations of its kind in the whole of Croatia – with a tradition dating back to the 19th century – the brass band fills the Advent programme with festive sounds that have accompanied life in Krk town for generations.
Klapa Rišpet & Flying Spaghetti
On St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day / Blagdan sv. Stjepana), Saturday, 26 December, at 20:30 the celebrated Klapa Rišpet takes the stage. The unmistakable voice of frontman Ivo Amulić and great emotion in songs such as „Šta mi ljube oćeš kazat“, „Mislin samo na te“ and „Prsti zapleteni“ make each of their concerts a goosebump experience. After the quiet first day of Christmas with the family, the concert by the top klapa from Split invites you to continue the holidays singing Dalmatian melodies together in front of the stage.
The finale of the concert programme before New Year’s Eve, on Tuesday, 29 December, at 19:00 belongs to the band Flying Spaghetti: musicians from Croatia and Slovenia fuse rockabilly, swing and jump blues with a distinctive saxophone sound – rousing retro sound for dancing between the holidays and the New Year countdown.
Magical moments for children & festive concerts
With the lovingly curated programme KUL. Advent u Krku, the Krk Town Cultural Centre (Centar za kulturu Grada Krka) also enriches the festive season. From 27 November to 5 December 2026, in the Galerija Decumanus the Post Office of St Nicholas (Pošta sv. Nikole) opens its doors – a magical prelude to the visit that the youngest islanders and holiday guests are eagerly awaiting.
St Nicholas arrives by boat
On Saturday, 5 December, St Nicholas (Sveti Nikola) traditionally arrives by boat in Krk harbour (Krčka riva) at 17:00. On the waterfront he is ceremonially welcomed by the Krk town band and the music section of the Kreativni Krk association’s creative corner. On Sunday, 6 December, things continue from 10:00 to 14:00 in the Galerija Decumanus – with the distribution of gift packages for children aged one to seven from the Krk town area who are not covered by the gift distribution in schools.
Creative children’s workshops & theatre at Kino Krk
On Friday, 11 December, from 17:00 to 20:00 the Galerija Decumanus turns into the “Laboratorij ljepote Bake Mraz” (Grandma Frost’s beauty lab): children make their own soaps, lip balms and creams, inspired by winter scents. On Saturday, 12 December, at 11:00 in Kino Krk (the great council hall of the Town of Krk / Velika vijećnica Grada Krka) the children’s play “Čarobni božićni sat” (The magic Christmas clock, ages 3+) is performed: Toma, Ema and the young audience solve puzzles together to help Santa Claus deliver all the presents on time.
On Friday, 18 December, the workshop “Božićni hokus-pokus” (Christmas hocus-pocus) from 17:00 to 20:00 in the Galerija Decumanus combines Christmas magic with science: young researchers make Christmas lava lamps, colourful chains of liquids of different densities and build pyramids out of marshmallows. Both workshops take place without prior registration; children can join at any time. On Saturday, 19 December, at 11:00 in Kino Krk the play “Kad bi barem Božić bio svaki dan” (If only it were Christmas every day, ages 3+) follows – a mischievous elf grants little Katja exactly this wish, after which she finds out whether Christmas every day really is such a good idea.
Classical Christmas concerts in the churches of Krk
On Thursday, 17 December, at 19:00 in Krk Cathedral (Krčka katedrala) the festive Christmas concert „Adeste fideles“ is performed by soprano Kristina Kolar, baritone Robert Kolar, clarinettist Goran Prša and organist Vladimir Babin. On Sunday, 27 December, at 19:00 in the Church of St Francis of Assisi (Crkva sv. Franje Asiškog) there follows the Christmas concert „Nata Lux“, performed by the vocal ensemble Kurikta together with the traditional singers of the Association of Sopile Players and Cantors of the Island of Krk (Udruga sopaca i kantura otoka Krka).
December in Krk Town Library
Krk Town Library has also put together an inspiring December programme for adults and children:
- Saturday, 5 December (09:00 – 12:00) – icon painting workshop (Radionica oslikavanja ikona): Led by photographer and iconographer Joubert Loots. The free workshop is aimed at adults (registration required); participants take their artworks home afterwards.
- Thursday, 10 December (18:00) – travel talk “Putuj svijetom s ograničenim budžetom – savjeti i trikovi” (Travel the world on a limited budget – tips and tricks): Globetrotter and educator Patricia Lacković, who has travelled to over 80 countries, uses photographs and practical lessons to show how to travel the world on a small budget. Free admission, no registration required.
- Thursday, 17 December (17:30 – 19:00) – “Vila Zara i nestala s(l)ova”: Shadow theatre and creative workshop for children aged 4 to 7, led by Andrea Kalanj (Rainbow Roots). The story of the fairy Zara and the little owl Franko – the library’s mascot – leads through riddles and unusual clues. Children take part on their own (registration required).
- Sunday, 20 December – “Božićna Bookoteka”: Festive Christmas meeting of the Krk Town Library reading club.
Registration at the town library: As places at the workshops are limited, registrations are accepted by email to info@gkkrk.hr, by phone on 051 221 149 or in person at Krk Town Library.
Active Advent between nature, history & food
The popular outdoor programme Krk Winter Trails again combines exercise in the fresh sea air with island stories and authentic local flavours in 2026. Two guided bike events (Bike Edition) and two guided themed hikes (Story Walks) lead through Krk town and its surroundings – including culinary stops with local hosts. Registration is required for the guided tours; food and drink are charged separately.
EPIC RIDES 2026 Winter Special: Krk / Šotovento
Relaxed leisure bike ride along quiet island paths and through the wooded areas of Šotovento, past historic dry-stone walls (suhozidi) and with views of the wintry sea. Info and registration: epicridesevents.com/events/sotovento.
Travel to Taste Krk: Local Bike Sightseeing Tour
Guided gourmet bike tour over the green Prniba peninsula and the surrounding villages, with tastings of island cheese and other local products at OPG Magriž in Lakmartin.
Travel to Taste Krk: Guided Hiking & Storytelling Tour
Forest paths of Šotovento lead to the medieval church of Sv. Krševan, to centuries-old oaks and down to Čavlena bay. Back in Milohnići, at Konoba Pud brest homemade Krk šurlice with goulash await you.
„Od krša do zlata / From Karst to Gold“
Guided walk through the stories of Krk town: the princely Frankopan family, the secret of the Glagolitic script and old island customs. To finish, a tasting at OPG Tohoraj – with Žlahtina wine, award-winning olive oil and sheep’s cheese.
New Year’s toast & big New Year’s Eve party
On New Year’s Eve, Thursday, 31 December 2026, the celebrations in Krk town start as early as the morning. From 10:00 to 15:00 DJ Danko and the L’amour Band create an exuberant atmosphere under the winter sun, and at 12 noon the traditional New Year’s toast with the Mayor of Krk (Tradicionalna novogodišnja zdravica s krčkim gradonačelnikom) takes place – the perfect opportunity to raise a glass with locals and guests.
In the evening everyone returns to the big Advent stage: from 22:30 the well-known Croatian singers Eni Jurišić and Vjeko Ključarić with their live band warm up the crowd. With live music and the big midnight countdown, we say goodbye to 2026 and dance into the new year 2027 under the Adriatic starry sky. If you’d like to combine the turn of the year with a mindful break, you’ll find in our Offline Week on Krk (26.12. – 30.12.2026) the ideal opportunity to slow down.
All dates & times
Official original programme of the Town of Krk (PDF)
The event poster of the Krk Town Tourist Board is only available in Croatian.
The right accommodation for Advent & New Year’s Eve
- Winter-proof villas & apartments: with underfloor heating, fireplace or private whirlpool for cosy December days.
- Book directly with the owner: no hidden portal fees and personal contact on site.
- All the highlights on your doorstep: Advent in Krk town, Malinska, Omišalj and the illuminated Trsat Castle.
