November 8, 2019 - This year’s Split Advent promises an abundance of music and fun, and will also awaken nostalgia in some of its visitors.

Visitors to Split from November 30, 2019, to January 2, 2020, will hop on a retro time machine and recall some of the forgotten verses, games and flavors of the city. Across five weeks, Advent guests will enjoy a plethora of Christmas delicacies at various Advent locations, and send thousands of unique postcards to the world from photo corners on Vidilica and Matejuska.

Dalmacija Danas reports that a new edition of Split Advent was announced at today's press conference held on a branded bus that will run the free Advent line. The attendees were greeted by the host of the Advent bus, the director of Promet, Miroslav Delić, who emphasized the importance of good cooperation with the Split Tourist Board, on whose initiative two free Advent lines will be introduced this year. The new lines will run on weekends all day. In addition to Promet, HZ Passenger Transport, in cooperation with the Split Tourist Board, will offer free return rides to the citizens of Split, Solin, Kastel and Trogir every Saturday and Sunday to the city center. Free transportation on Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons will be provided by the suburban train between Kastel Stari - Split - Kastel Stari. 

Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulovic Opara, greeted all those present. 

“We are proud that Advent is becoming one of the most important manifestations of our city, which is confirmed by the increasing involvement of numerous institutions, associations, local communities. We are sure that it will attract a large number of visitors, especially citizens. We are breaking records during the tourist season, even this time when almost the entire Adriatic was in the minus. Christmas time is the time for us, our children and our citizens. We have designed Advent festivities to bring our citizens Christmas magic and awaken the good old feelings. We want to feel good together with our citizens, let's smile, let's be happy, that's our goal this Christmas!

This year, it was our wish that all visitors awaken the playfulness and emotion of the old times. We have introduced new locations and revived traditional locations with ice skating rinks, photo corners, retro exhibitions, themed programs, dances and many surprises which will we ride together on our retro time machine. Let's add that during Advent last year, tourist numbers increased by 17% in arrivals and 21% in overnights, and judging by this year's interest of foreign media, Split is becoming a genuinely unavoidable Advent destination.”

The director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić, added:

“The CEO of Spalatum DMC, Ante Sunjic, emphasized that this year's program on the Riva is particularly rich and diverse. The entertainment program is full of theme nights and performances of well-known musical names. Advent will open by Gustafi, and visitors to Advent will be entertained by Giuliano and Diktatori, Alen Nizetic, Marko Pecotic & band, the Vatra group and numerous other performers. A special treat will be Tedi Spalato’s Christmas concert and we will have a traditionally good time for New Year's Eve. Klapa Intrade and Tomislav Bralic will create a cheerful Dalmatian atmosphere, while Jelena Rozga is in charge of the party until the morning hours.”

She added that numerous sponsors recognized the event, and also thanked "Coca-Cola as a sponsor of love and warmth, OTP Bank as a sponsor of joy, the Croatian Lottery as a sponsor of memories, Radio Dalmatia as the media partner and sponsor of playfulness, and all others who have recognized the importance of events such as Pik Vrbovec, Ožujski, Procurator and Bio Planet."

The Public Invitation for offers on Advent houses opened just a few days ago. This includes 25 houses in the following locations: Riva (3 shops, 3 for simple catering, 11 for catering); Dardin (4 catering); Rudjer Boskovic RK Prima 3 (4 catering); and at Prokurative (children's entertainment - train). Those interested can apply by November 14 and be part of this year's retro Advent story.

Maja Leksic, director of marketing and sales, said: “Radio Dalmacija lives with its listeners 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either through the Christmas Gift project, through which we assist our fellow citizens in need, or by sharing our thirteenth salary. We always listen to the needs of our listeners, and we are especially weak when it comes to children's emotions because there is no purer emotion than that. Therefore, this year, we arranged a children's park and two playgrounds in Split, and we are the proud sponsor of the Hajduk pioneers for several years. It was, therefore, logical to respond to the invitation of the Tourist Board and participate in this year's Advent as a sponsor of Marmontova and be the exclusive media sponsor of Advent.”

More info on Split Advent coming soon...

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

November 5, 2019 - Split Advent this winter will be held from November 30, 2019, to January 2, 2020. 

Split Advent 2019/20 will boast nineeteen holiday houses in three locations - the Riva (11), Đardin (4), and the Split 3 neighborhood (4). On Monday, the competition for catering facilities began, reports Splitski Dnevnik.

Spalatum D.M.C. as an organizer of Split Advent 2019/20, invited all interested individuals and legal entities to submit, under general and special conditions, an offer for the display, presentation and sale of their products and services at the event from November 30, 2019 to January 2, 2020, on the Riva, Đardin, Prokurative (the plateau by FINA), and from December 6, 2019, to December 24, 2019, at Rudjer Boskovic RK Prima 3.

This year, there will be no Advent in front of the Gallery of Fine Arts due to the vibrant program and ice rink at Đardin. In addition, part of the program will be dispersed this year to the Split 3 neighborhood to provide Advent entertainment to residents outside the city center. As the stages and holiday houses will be located in a residential area, the program will last until 9 pm.

"There are no houses in front of the Gallery of Fine Arts, but we have decided to focus on the Riva, Đardin and Split 3 because of the great fluctuation of inhabitants in that part of the city. In this area, we went with a much lower price, and there will be a stage set for the music program. This is an intention to offer events outside each center and to expand zones, and to disperse some Advent events to other parts of the city, and if successful, plan to do so in other quarters in the coming years, where it is organizationally possible. Also, on the plateau in front of FINA, there will be children's content and a traditional train. The number of houses on the Riva remained the same, and the number of houses at Đardin increased,” said Ante Sunjic, director of Spalatum D.M.C., adding that the initial rental prices of houses on the Riva and Đardin remained the same as last year, and they expect the same interest. 

This year, the competition is open for exhibitions, sales and presentations, including the following: Christmas products, books and multimedia, souvenirs and gifts, original products, gastronomy, and presentations by tourist boards, counties, cities, municipalities and chambers of commerce.

Interested bidders are required to send their offer to Spalatum D.M.C. or the Split Tourist Board by November 13, 2019. Bids can be submitted from November 4 to 13, 2019. 

The accepted offers will be published on the websites of Spalatum D.M.C. and the Split Tourist Board on November 14, 2019.

Bids that do not meet the required conditions, which were not submitted in the required form and content or were not submitted within the prescribed deadline, will not be considered or included in the Advent program. 

The main selection criterion will be the highest rent or fee offered, followed by the authenticity of the products and services being offered, as well as the content related to the Christmas holiday, creativity in the interior decoration of the buildings, previous experience in exhibiting at fairs and many years of activities for which they are applying.

If a successful tenderer withdraws their offer, the Commission reserves the right to select the next best offer.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

December 2, 2018 - Split Advent is finally here! The holiday celebration officially opened on Saturday in various locations around the city center. Thousands of locals and tourists were eager to welcome the return of the favorite festive event which marked the start of the Christmas season in the city. 

Holiday houses selling mulled wine, sausages, sarma, and souvenirs were a hit, and Croatian pop star Giuliano took the stage for the opening concert on the Riva. 

This year, the Riva boasts 20 houses, which is more than last year - and 12 of them are reserved for catering! Đardin will be the go-to for Split’s youngest citizens, while the new location at Gaje Bulata Square will boast four shops and the performances of street singers. Prokurative is traditionally decorated with the children's train, while the event at King Tomislav Street extends this year from the Gallery of Fine Arts to the old Post Office.

Here’s a look at Advent so far. 

Advent will last until January 7, 2019. You can find the full schedule of events on the Split Tourist Board website here. 

PS: Don't forget about the free 'Advent' bus line which will operate for the duration of the event. You can find the timetable here. 

To read more about Split Advent, follow TCN's dedicated page here. 

From Saturday, 01.12.2018. a special (and free) "Advent" bus line will be introduced in Split. Recall, Advent in Split begins today! 

November 29, 2018 - With the beginning of Split Advent just a few days away, you’ve most likely seen the famous holiday homes popping up on the Riva and Split’s city squares as preparations are more than underway. Decked out in Christmas decorations and cheer, the holiday celebration on the Riva becomes the center of Advent - a place with the best entertainment, souvenirs, and a vibrant gastronomic offering created by your favorite Split restaurants. 

To warm you up this winter season, Advent has prepared a different musical performance each day, where visitors can expect a diverse music and art programs, from themed evening performances of DJs and bands to daily concerts, klapa performers and classical music performers who will bring the traditional holiday atmosphere to both locals and foreign guests. 

Today, we can finally present you with the FULL concert calendar for the central stage on the Riva this Advent. 

Concert program from 01.12. to 31.12. (from 11.00 to 13.00)

01. 12. Klapa Kontra, Split Majorettes

02. 12. LILLY GEE + THE STRINGS

06.12. ST. NIKOLA (St. Nikola visits children, program adapted for the youngest, children's dances, acting groups, majorettes, children's plays, puppet figures from various children's cartoons; performers: Split Majorettes, Dance Studio NOA, Talent Studio M, Calimero kindergarten)

08.12. MUSICAL "MAMMA MIA" - ABAZZIA

09.12. Music Group SOL

13:12. ST. LUCIJA (Ana and Olaf visit children, program adapted for the youngest, children's dances, playgroups, children's plays, puppet figures from various cartoons; performances: Dance studio NOA, Talent studio M, Split Majorettes)

15:12. ZBOR LIJEČNIKA - SPLIT

16:12. STEFAN KOKOŠKOV (tenor), ZORAN VELIĆ (piano), DANIRA IPAVEC (accordion), BJANKA IVAS (soprano)

22.12.Providenca

23.12. Pink Panther

24.12. CLASSIC QUARTET SPALATO, KONCERT KLAPA ISKON

29.12.DISCO INFERNO MAGIC (BONEY M)

30.12.CITY MUSIC - ORCHESTRA IMOTSKI

31.12. POP ROCK CABARET (Šibenik)

Concert program from 01.12. to 31.12. (from 20.00 to 23.00) 

01.12. Opening concert GIULIANO 

02.12. DJ PAYO - RIVADROM 

03.12. DJ ALDO-RETROFON 

04.12. GOOD VIBES by DJ FleX 

05.12. DJ ALDO – RETROFON 

06.12. HARI RONČEVIĆ 

07.12. PINK PANTHER BAND 

08.12. POP ART BAND 

09.12. DJ PAYO - RIVADROM 

10.12. DJ ALDO-RETROFON 

11.12. GOOD VIBES by DJ FleX 

12.12. DJ ALDO – RETROFON 

13.12. KLAPA ŠUFIT 

14.12. DREAMERS BAND 

15.12. AURORA BAND 

16.12. DJ PAYO- RIVADROM 

17.12. DJ ALDO-RETROFON 

18.12. GOOD VIBES by DJ FleX 

19.12. DJ ALDO-RETROFON 

20.12. DJ PAYO – HIT MIX 

21.12.  DALMATINO 

22.12. POP ART BAND 

23.12. FOUR TENORS 

24.12. KLAPA ISKON 

24.12. XMAS EVE DJ PARTY 

25.12. CHRISTMAS PARTY DJ PAYO 

26.12. DJ ALDO RETROFON 

27.12. DREAMERS BAND 

28.12. SLAVONIJA BAND 

29.12. AURORA BAND 

30.12. DJ PAYO –HIT MIX 

31.12. DJ PAYO – HIT MIX 

01.01. GOOD VIBES by DJ FleX 

02.01. DJ ALDO RETROFON 

03.01. GOOD VIBES by DJ FleX 

04.01. NEW FRIDAY PARTY 

05.01. CLOSING - NENO BELAN & FIUMENSI 

06.01. AFTER PARTY - DJ PAYO

To see all of the Advent events, visit the Split Tourist Board here. 

To learn more about Split Advent, follow TCN's dedicated page here. 

After Zagreb's announcement of an even better Advent, Split Advent is not far behind.

The Split Advent Advisory Committee met on Tuesday where the Split Mayor addressed the group from the road via a video call. 

After the 'revamped' Split Advent (now called 'Winter Watercolors') was announced at the end of last month, the offers for the highly anticipated 'holiday homes' poured in. Here are the applicants we know so far. 

Split this year will feature 28 Advent cottages for the new holiday event 'Winter Watercolors'. The competition is now open for offers until November 9th. 

The city of Split will welcome the first weekend of December in their best holiday dress - and it is an outfit they won’t have to change until the 16th of January, 2018.