„Magic on the Hill 2025“ – Rich Advent Program Announced in Motovun

Motovun invites you to spend the most magical time of the year in the beautifully decorated festive setting of its historic old town, where a rich Advent program awaits under the title Magic on the Hill – Advent in Motovun, which last year was declared the most beautiful Advent in Croatia in the municipalities category, according to the expert jury of the portal Gradonacelnik.hr.

1762791160341-ADVENT2025-PROGRAM_compressed.pdf

The picturesque Istrian town transforms into a magical Advent destination in December, offering a rich program for all ages. You can experience the Advent magic full of colors, decorations, tastes, and scents from 12 to 28 December 2025, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting at 4 PM.

On Motovun’s main square, a festive gourmet offer awaits in the Advent stalls, along with an entertaining program featuring excellent music performers such as Night Express, Grupa Vigor, Rišpet, Tacoor, Antonio Krištofić, Timeless Duets, and DJ Hoky. Entry to all events is free, and parking for visitors is free from 3 PM.

The heart of Motovun’s old town will be adorned with thousands of lights and beautiful Christmas decorations. The youngest visitors will especially enjoy the Christmas Garden, located within the town walls, where, among rich light decorations, they can also visit Santa’s House to write their wish letters.

An important part of Motovun’s Advent story for children is the Christmas Cinema, located in Bauer Cinema on the main square, where they can enjoy film screenings for children and youth, as well as creative performances.

Apart from the program in the old town, Motovun boasts another beautiful Advent location: ROXANICH Winery & Design Hotel, where on Friday, 28 November, Jingle Bell Rox – Advent at Roxanich opens with a performance by the popular Groovers! The hotel transforms into a fairytale winter corner filled with lights, scents, and music – a place where elegance meets the warmth of the holidays. Until 7 January 2026, a sensory experience awaits, including festive stalls with traditional dishes, authentic Istrian flavors, and delicious drinks from the region’s most famous distillery.

A special attraction at Jingle Bell Rox is the real ice skating rink at promotional prices: €5 (entry and skate rental) and €3 (if you bring your own skates), with no time limit. A winter fairy tale with top wines, twinkling lights, mulled wine aroma, and music under the Istrian sky – all this awaits at Jingle Bell Rox at the foot of Motovun.

The Magic on the Hill program begins on Friday, 12 December with the lighting of the decorations in the old town and the opening of the Advent stalls on the main square. At 7 PM, the traditional pre-Christmas concert will take place at the Church of St. Stephen the First Martyr, featuring Klapa Motovun, the choir Nota bene of the Italian Community Motovun – Montona, and their guests, the female vocal group Dolcemente complicate of the Italian Community Tar – Vabriga. On the same evening, at 8:30 PM, the acoustic ensemble Timeless Duets (Mateo Pilat – vocals, Iva Gortan – vocals, Robert Meister – guitar) will perform on the main square. On Saturday, 13 December, the program starts at 5 PM in the Christmas Cinema with a children’s film screening, while from 6:30 PM DJ Hoky will warm up visitors on the main square. At 8:30 PM, the unique Night Express band takes the stage. On Sunday, 14 December, a full family day is scheduled, starting at 4 PM in the Christmas Cinema with a children’s performance, followed by a 5:30 PM film screening, and at 7 PM DJ Hoky will perform on the main square.

On Friday, 19 December, the program on the main square starts at 4 PM with performances by the local elementary school and kindergarten children, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus and gift-giving for children from the Motovun municipality. At 6 PM, DJ Hoky will perform to warm up the audience for the Istrian hip-hop funk collective Tacoor, bringing an incredible live energy and pushing the boundaries of alternative sound. On Saturday, 20 December, the program begins with a children’s performance in the Christmas Cinema, followed by a film screening. On the main square, DJ Hoky from 6:30 PM and Grupa Vigor from 8:30 PM will ensure an unforgettable evening. On Sunday, 22 December, another family day takes place, starting at 4 PM in the Christmas Cinema with a children’s performance, a 5:30 PM film screening, and DJ Hoky performing at 7 PM on the main square.

Friday, 26 December is reserved for a concert by Antonio Krištofić and his band at 8:30 PM, while DJ Hoky, the resident DJ of Magic on the Hill, will entertain the audience before and after the concert. On Saturday, 27 December, the program starts at 5 PM with a film screening in the Christmas Cinema, DJ Hoky performs at 6:30 PM, and at 8:30 PM the popular Rišpet band takes the stage, delivering their well-known hits, an incredible atmosphere, Mediterranean emotions, and a concert to remember. The last day of the official Magic on the Hill program, Sunday, 28 December, begins with a children’s performance in the Christmas Cinema at 4 PM, followed by a 5:30 PM film screening, and at 7 PM DJ Hoky will entertain visitors on the main square.

Wonderful memories during the magical Advent season can be captured with professional photographs in the Renaissance tower Nova vrata on Ressel Square, where a Christmas photo session will again be prepared this year. Opening hours and other details will be announced soon on social media and the official website of the Motovun Tourist Board.

The event is organized by the Motovun Tourist Board, Municipality of Motovun, and Motovun park d.o.o., a communal services company.