Zagreb events

The Croatian capital is hard at work to grow into a year-round platform for creativity. We take a look at some of its top events taking place in autumn and winter. Words: Jane Foster

SEPTEMBER

ARTUPUNCTURE

Artupuncture promotes Zagreb’s art scene by envisioning the capital as a living organism, with a flow of energy that accumulates in certain locations. Inspired by acupuncture, the annual event figuratively taps into these hotspots with installations by contemporary artists, hosted in various galleries around the city. The aim? Placing autumn in Zagreb firmly on the cultural calendar. artupunktura.hr

OCTOBER

ZAGREB FILM FESTIVAL

This is one of the country’s largest film festivals, with showings at cult venues including Cinema Europa (Croatia’s oldest active cinema), Cinema Tuškanac and the striking Museum of Contemporary Art. It promotes independent filmmakers, both from Croatia and abroad, and serves as a stepping stone for many art house film directors. A popular side programme is The Big 5, which focuses on outstanding alternative films from France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. zff.hr

NOVEMBER

ZAGREB JAZZ FESTIVAL

This tribute to jazz music is hosted at Lisinski Concert Hall, the capital’s top music venue. Previous performers have included US trumpeter and composer Ornette Coleman and singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. It’s so popular that it’s grown, with pop up concerts around the capital, plus additional summer events in Pula and Rovinj. zgjazzfestival.com

DECEMBER

ADVENT ZAGREB

This city-wide, month-long event is a three-time winner of European Best Destinations’ ‘Best Christmas Market’ award — the maximum number of times a single place can receive the title. More than 25 individual markets liven up the capital’s main squares and promenades: try Christmas specialities such as štrukli (dumplings) and sarma (cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice), and keep an eye out for hand-carved wooden toys from the Hrvatsko Zagorje region — a craft listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. adventzagreb.hr

For more information, visit infozagreb.hr