Ljubljana became illuminated on Friday evening to conjure up the December holiday magic. This year, the holiday spirit will capture the capital city for even longer, with the events dubbed the "Festive December" taking place until 8 January.
As the Ljubljana Mayor Danica Simsic explained the city has decided to extend the festival since the foreign guests who visit the city in the period before New Year's Day usually stay for the whole week after the holiday.
This year's holiday programme and decorations will not differ greatly from last year's.
In addition to three smaller ones, four large Christmas trees will decorate the city. By one of the larger ones, located in the old city centre, choirs will hold concerts throughout December, explained Simsic.
She added that the fairy tale town in Park Zvezda will be transformed into an enchanted forest of a thousand Christmas trees, which will be planted in pots and distributed among the Slovenian schools after the holidays are over.
Another traditional event of the Festive December is Maxi's Singing Christmas Tree, a choir in the form of a tree in front of the Maximarket store, which is to hold 18 concerts by the end of the year, all starting at 6 p.m..
On 17 December, the Festive Fair will start on the Cankarjevo nabrezje riverbank, the Christmas Fairy will be receiving children in front of the Town Hall, and the concerts of Christmas choirs will begin by the trees in the old city centre.
This year brings a novelty - a chance to see Ljubljana from a boat. A glassed and heated boat on the Ljubljanica river will provide tours of the lit up part of Ljubljana, ending with a toast of tea or cooked wine.
The Father Frost Procession will move from Krek Square, past Ciril-Metod Square and Mestni trg Square, along Stritarjeva Street, over Preseren Square and towards the fairy tale city every night from 26 to 30 December.
The open air New Year's Day celebrations will again occupy Preseren Square, where Avia Band with vocalist Jasmina Cafnik and dance vocal group Select will be entertaining from 9.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.. In Kongresni Square, the public will be able to hear Alya, Sank Rock and Tabu, and in Mestni trg, Miha Jazbinsek and solo artists will hold a jazz concert.
This year's budget of the Ljubljana municipality for decorations and illuminations was SIT 35m (EUR 146,000) and for the accompanying programme SIT 45m (EUR 187,680), according to the director of the Ljubljana Tourist Board Barbara Vajda. The sum is said to be nearly the same as last year.
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