A guide to this winter’s Advent in Otočac

(Photo: Otočac Tourist Board)

Advent in Otočac steps into the enchantment of augmented and virtual reality. The opening of the holiday month with the Iskon Dalmatian vocal group

The Otočac Tourist Board and the Town of Otočac have prepared an Advent program for this year that they are very proud of. In addition to a truly rich and diverse program (with as many as forty different events), this holiday month in Otočac will be particularly interesting for technology enthusiasts. 

During the Advent days, there will be a 3D Christmas search for Santa Claus, where attendees can experience Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro devices in a Christmas mini showroom set up in the attractively illuminated city park. 

This allows them to enter the virtual reality that is becoming a part of our everyday lives. Advent kicks off on December 2nd with a concert by the Iskon Dalmatian vocal group, while the transition to the New Year will be accompanied by the Spice Grills band.

(Photo: Otočac Tourist Board)

At the beginning of December, Otočac Town Park turns into a large open-air stage, hosting concerts of tamburitza, pop, and rock music, as well as attractive dance programs, a fair of local products, and workshops for children with Mrs. Santa Claus. Bring your little ones because Mrs. Claus has already prepared everything for baking the best cookies; she just needs the most important “ingredient” – the joyful laughter and little hands of her little helpers. 

(Photo: Otočac Tourist Board)

If you want to stay in shape during the holidays, the ice rink is open every day, as well as the catering offer. The teams competing in the creation of the “Golden Twists” are not yet known, but there will surely be a lot of laughter and fun, just like delicious treats, without which Advent cannot be imagined.

The before mentioned 3D Christmas search for Santa Claus will start at the market and pass through five locations. Participants move from one location to another by solving quizzes, and at each location, a different virtual Christmas character or object awaits them to be photographed. 

(Photo: Otočac Tourist Board)

Participants submit their photos to the Tourist Board, which will organize a photo exhibition and select the most interesting ones. In addition to Mrs. Santa Claus, the beloved Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus will also ensure a great and cheerful atmosphere by bringing sweet packages to the youngest. 

In addition to sports activities and quizzes (pub quizzes), it is worth mentioning the Firefighters Orchestra of the Otočac Volunteer Fire Department and the Tamburitza Orchestra of the Gacko Folk Open University of Otočac, which will prepare a diverse musical spectacle for this occasion.

Last year, Advent in Otočac won a high 2nd place for the most beautiful Advent in Croatia in the category of small towns, with a total of 53 participating cities, which is truly a great result. The competition took place on the Facebook page Gradonačelnik.hr under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

(Photo: Otočac Tourist Board)

“This year, we have enriched and enhanced the program, and we will try to win first place. This depends above all on our fellow citizens from Otočac and this entire region because their votes count. I would like to emphasize the important and already traditional involvement of local producers, associations, sports clubs, folklore societies, public institutions, entrepreneurs, and companies who have contributed to the preparation and realization of this year’s Advent program with their engagement. Also, I invite everyone to visit Advent in Otočac and surrender to the Christmas magic in Gacka,” added Viktorija Rogić, the director of the Otočac Tourist Board.

All the necessary info you can find on FB page Discover Otočac – Otočac Tourist Board.