If you want to go away this winter and are interested in a beautiful smaller city with a strong focus on sustainability, the Ljubljana Christmas Market is easily the best choice in Europe.
I’ve visited Ljubljana several times and highly recommend visiting for its pretty streets and squares, organic food and festive light displays.
In this guide, you can find dates and information for planning your visit.
Ljubljana Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Unconfirmed
Ljubljana Christmas Market dates:
1st December 2024 to 2nd January 2025(unconfirmed).
Update: It seems the city is no longer running the Christmas market. This is a shame, as it was one of the best in I’ve visited. The tourist office told me they are still putting up lights and decorations. We will see if the market returns this year.
Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Prešeren Square, along the Ljubljanica River embankment.
Opening times: 11am to 7pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: This city tour of Ljubljana includes the funicular to the castle.
Public transport: Buses are available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport as there is limited parking.
Travel tip: Don’t miss out on taking a day trip to Lake Bled.
Ljubljana weather in winter: Temperatures average 4°C / -2°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Hotel Cubo is 2 minutes from the main square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: 17th November 2024 to 7th January 2025 (unconfirmed) at the Arboretum from 3pm to 9pm.
Santa: No.
Winter events: Free music concerts. The Magical Forest.
Ice skating: Yes, at Ice Fantasy Ljubljana at Park Zvezda in Congress Square.
Reason to Visit: One of the prettiest capitals in Europe. Clothes by Slovenian designers.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, some, but there are dedicated GF cafes and bakeries with more options.
Food specialties: Seasonal organic produce.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
The lights and decorations are typically located around Prešeren Square and along the Ljubljanica River. Some festivities are also held nearby in Congress Square (Kongresni Trg).
This is why I recommend Hotel Cubo, as it’s very close to all the winter events and other attractions in Ljubljana.
My guide to hotels in Ljubljana has several more excellent options.
Recommended Tours
I recommend taking this city tour of Ljubljana to discover the top sights and attractions, such as Ljubljana Castle, Prešeren Square and the Triple Bridge.
Alternatively, consider a walking food tour to try the local cuisine and learn about the city’s culinary traditions. Slovenia is an incredible food destination, so I definitely recommend taking a food tour if you have time.
Finally, you won’t want to miss a day trip to Lake Bled; I’ve been several times as it’s stunning and so peaceful.
This tour of Lake Bled includes a stop at Lake Bohinj, which I think might be even more beautiful than Bled. Other Bled day trips don’t stop in Bohinj, so be sure to book this one if you want to visit both lakes.
Location Map
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
Ljubljana at Christmas
I filmed the following two videos of the city centre and the Christmas market during my last visit to Ljubljana, highlighting the winter atmosphere.
I really love how eco-friendly Slovenia is through its support for small businesses, zero-waste products and organic Slovenian cuisine.
Christmas in 2024 will feature Christmas trees, decorations and lights around the city centre and at the Arboretum.
Interesting Events
- The Land of Ice – A winter event showcasing ice and snow sculptures by Slovenian and international artists.
- Magical Forest – Includes creative workshops where you can learn to make your own eco-friendly decorations.
- Organ Grinders – A familiar sight around the streets of Ljubljana over the winter months.
- Free Music Concerts – Held in Novi Square from the 12th to 4th December (unconfirmed). There are other free concerts in different neighbourhoods.
This is the second video when I visited on a later day to give you a different perspective.
Regional Specialities
- Honey schnapps – Delicious but strong brandy. A Slovenian classic.
- Potica (nut roll): A traditional pastry rolled around a walnut filling.
- Klobasa (sausage): Local sausages grilled on an open flame.
- Medenjaki (honey cookies): Spiced biscuits decorated with icing.
- Praženi mandlji (roasted almonds): Warm, sweet roasted almonds coated in sugar.
- Krompirjev golaž (potato goulash): A stew made with potatoes, onions and spices.
- Štruklji (rolled dumplings): These can be either sweet or savoury, filled with ingredients like cottage cheese, apple or tarragon.
- Pečen kostanj (roasted chestnuts): Chestnuts roasted over an open flame. A classic winter treat.
- Jabolčni zavitek (apple strudel): We all know and love this pastry.
- Vaflji (waffles): Freshly made waffles topped with powdered sugar, chocolate, or jam.
- Krhki flancati (crispy fried pastries): Thin, deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar.
- Kuano vino (mulled wine): Hot spiced red wine with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel. You can generally keep the mug it’s served in or return it for a refund.
- Medica (honey liqueur): A sweet alcoholic drink made from fermented honey.
- Borovničke (blueberry schnapps): A fruit brandy made from blueberries.
- Palačinke (crepes): Thin pancakes filled with sweet fillings like chocolate, jam, or fresh fruit.
- Kuhan jabolčnik (hot apple cider): Spiced hot apple cider, sometimes mixed with a bit of rum.
Things to Do in Winter
- Ljubljana Castle – The modern funicular is the quickest way to reach Ljubljana Castle, which has wonderful views of the city and the mountains in the distance.
- Ljubljana Dragon – The symbol of Ljubljana is the fiery green dragon. You’ll see dragons everywhere, but the best dragons guard the popular Dragon Bridge.
- Triple Bridge – Three bridges cross the Ljubljanica River at Preseren Square in the city’s historic centre. It’s the hub of the old town, busy with buskers, food carts and visitors. The bridge was designed by Slovenia’s most famous architect, Jože Plečnik.
- The Central Market – Also designed by Jože Plečnik, this fresh produce market sells fruits, vegetables and organic products. It’s the perfect place to pick up picnic supplies if you’re heading out on a day trip to Bled.
- Preseren Square – The main centre square in Ljubljana is unmissable for the pink Franciscan Church, which dominates the square.
- Town Hall – The baroque Town Hall is central to one of the city’s most picturesque streets, lined with pastel-coloured buildings and baroque fountains.
- Tivoli Park – If the weather is sunny, take a walk through Tivoli Park to see the outdoor photography exhibition and green open space.
- Art Nouveau Ljubljana – In the centre, you’ll spot several impressive art nouveau buildings, including Hauptmann House in Preseren Square, Vernik House and Urbanc House, which houses a high-end department store.
Travel Information
Visit Ljubljana has more information on things to do in December, including a list of free events and festivals. They will also give updates on whether the market returns this year.
Sustainability Tips
- Shop mindfully. Consider purchasing only what you need, buying souvenirs made from sustainable materials, or supporting local artisans.
- Walk, cycle or use public transport to get around instead of renting a car. The city is very walkable and has an extensive bike-sharing system. I rode my bike often in Ljubljana and had no issues as it’s mostly flat aside from the castle area.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel. Several hotels use renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and geothermal power.
- Avoid short-stay apartments as these can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Limit your meat consumption. Many vegetarian and plant-based options are available.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas in Ljubljana. Take a walking tour of the city’s lesser-known neighbourhoods and parks, or explore the Marshes Nature Park just outside the city centre.
- Support the arts and visit cultural institutions. Check out the City Museum or the National Gallery of Slovenia, or catch a concert at the Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
—
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. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
do you know if the Christmas markets are open on Mondays in December?
I’m not sure if they’re actually going to be on this year as it hasn’t been announced and they were cancelled last year.
A lot of sites recommend CUBO – so looked it up, and frankly I was a bit disappointed by the menu. there is not one single dish -not even a salad- without animal products available. In a post called “sustainable”, this feels like a let down 🙁 is CUBO paying everyone for this articles?
I have stayed at Cubo and recommend it. It’s a nice hotel in a great location near the Christmas markets and the main tourist sights in Ljubljana. This hotel has implemented some sustainability measures like reducing food waste, some energy-efficiency measures, reducing single-use plastic and investing in the community. This is more than most other hotels in Ljubljana are doing. I agree it’s not sustainable but it’s a lower-impact option. For a small city, Ljubljana has many vegan restaurants and plant-based options.