There are towns and cities that roll out the same old Christmas lights and decorations year after year, and then there’s Radovljica, which goes to great lengths to come up with a new theme and/or decor for the festive season in the old town every year.

Despite the best attempts by the weather to dampen our spirits, people still turned out en masse yesterday evening, albeit significantly less so than in previous years, to see the switching on of the Christmas lights.

The switch on was followed by an amazing concert by the band Help! A Beatles Tribute. I can’t remember the last time I sung my heart out and bopped non-stop for two hours like I did last night!

This year, Linhart Square – the heart of the old town – is adorned with handwoven wreaths, garlands and decorations made of willow. This year’s highlight are the beautiful hand painted window displays, the work of the local academic artist Meta Šolar, which have turned the old town centre into an outdoor gallery.

Photo: Turizem Radol’ca

Photo: Turizem Radol’ca

But, of course, that was just the start to the festive season, there’s plenty more still to come!

Did you know that in Slovenia there are three ‘good men’ who visit during the festival season; St. Nicholas, Father Christmas and Grandfather Frost? The first of the three, St. Nicholas, ‘delivers’ presents to children on 6th December, while Father Christmas, as we all know, comes down chimneys on Christmas Eve. For those of you who haven’t heard of Grandfather Frost (I hadn’t either before moving here!), it is said that the home of this legendary character, whose roots are in Slavic mythology, is in Russia. He brings gifts for New Year, a custom that dates back to the times when Christmas wasn’t celebrated publicly, rather behind closed doors, in the former Yugoslavia.

The first of the three ‘good men’ will arrive in Radovljica on Sunday 3rd December, when a St. Nicholas Fair will take place from 10am to 7pm, including a visit by St. Nicholas himself, and at 5pm a puppet show titled ‘A Winter Fairy Tale’.

A small Christmas market will take place every Saturday and Sunday through the month of December, and on some dates there are additional activities, such as workshops and street performances.

On Sunday 17 December, the ARTISH Fair will take place from 11am to 6pm. On the same day, from 4pm to 6pm, you can see the CHRISTMAS CARAVAN with Radovljica’s firefighters, all of whom are volunteers and who have been more than heroic this year dealing with the numerous occasions when very heavy flooding has occurred.

On Friday 22nd December, in addition to the Christmas Market from 3pm to 9pm, there will be a live concert by FED HORSE, and Taste Radol’ca street food.

On Christmas Day, Monday, 25th December, why not walk off your Christmas dinner by taking a stroll to watch a street performance by Ana Snezna, and on Tuesday 26th December, you can visit the Christmas market from 3pm to 7pm, including a street performance at 5pm by ČUPAKABRA.

Photo: Turizem Radol’ca

On Wednesday 27th December, Jan the Magician and Grandpa Frost visit Radovljica. 

And that brings us to New Year’s Eve, when celebrations will kick off in Linhart Square from 10pm.

Come and join in the festive fun, and for those of you unable to make it, I wish you a joyful festive season and a very Merry Christmas!

© Adele in Slovenia