 Nov 28 2024 - Nov 30 2024

 Maribor, Ljubljana, Celje, Koper

Slovenia's second largest city, Maribor will turn on its Christmas lights on 28 December, with the capital Ljubljana following the next day to usher in the festive season.

This year's festive illumination in Ljubljana will celebrate the joy of life and universe, coined in the theme Joyverse of Life.

Along with the universe-themed decorations that Ljubljana has become known for, there will also be elements of spiritual symbolism with several new decorations, mostly recycled from old ones.

The switch-on ceremony will take place at around 5pm in Prešeren Square where a 21-metre tall spruce three from the Jesenice area has been put up to be illuminated with eight kilometres of lights.

The city will be decorated with more than 50 kilometres of lights and over 850 light sculptures.

Maribor will turn on 40 kilometres of lights. The theme of the decorations, Magic Threads, symbolises the bonds between people.

This year Christmas lights will illuminate the newly renovated Lent borough by the Drava River. The square in front of the City Hall will again feature a large Ferris wheel.

The lights switch-on will kick start the festive season featuring more than 200 events in Maribor culminating with the New Year's party in the Leon Štukelj Square.

Celje will transform into a fairytale destination on 30 November as it turns on its festive lights.

The city of Koper on the coast will enter the festive season with the Christmas lights switch-on event in Tito Square on 6 December at 5pm.

St Nicholas will visit the children the same day and a skating rink, amusement park, Winter Village and Fairy Tale Street will come to life.

Rewind - Vasco Rossi Tribute Band will open the concert season at Taverna Koper, a 17th century salt warehouse.