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Ljubljana is a wonderful city any day of the year, but in December it takes on an especially magical guise, radiant with festive lights woven into surprising forms that always enchant both residents and visitors. At this time the city squares, streets, bridges and embankments come alive in a truly special atmosphere you just can’t miss. Come join us from 29 November 2024 to 15 January 2025.

A large festively decorated spruce tree in the middle of a festively decorated town square in a blanket of snow.

© Janez Zalaznik

The light installation focuses on the Joyful Universe of Life

The theme of this year’s holiday decorations is »Joyful Universe of Life«. As explained by the concept’s creator, Urban Modic, life is infinitely beautiful and precious. For a living being, it is everything it has. With Ljubljana’s latest holiday decorations, we emphasise its meaning and value, celebrating diversity and dispersion.

We draw upon various theories about the origins and pathways of life: the theory of panspermia suggests that life may have arrived on Earth from another part of the universe on comets and asteroids. On the other hand, abiogenesis proposes that life developed here on Earth, entirely independently, from non-living matter through natural chemical processes.

With these ideas and this theme, we also express a hope that we—humans in particular—can learn to coexist peacefully. Without aggression or the desire for dominance; respecting other living beings, just as they respect us.

Alongside scientific imagery, there will also be elements of spiritual symbolism, addressing theories of specific creators. Other features will complete and visually enrich the story with a cohesive design.

Many of the sculptures and features have been newly designed, while some of the most representative and well-established pieces will be restored originals by Zmago Modic. This installation marks the 25th anniversary of his first Universe of Ljubljana creation.

The new sculptures are largely made from recycled elements of past installations, repurposed public light fixtures, and other technical equipment.

The Map with the Meaning Behind the Christmas Light Installations

Festive Trees and “Green Trees”

Ljubljana will also be adorned with nine Christmas trees and 89 green trees along Wolfova, Čopova, Stritarjeva, and Trubarjeva Streets, as well as Breg, Gallus Embankment, and Novi trg. These are Christmas trees that will be returned to nature after the holidays. The small grove of green trees on Wolfova Street will be decorated with help from primary school students from Ljubljana, while at Ljubljana Tourism we invite residents to decorate the green groves on Stritarjeva and Čopova Streets, becoming part of the festive story of Ljubljana. Additionally, they encourage residents not to buy new ornaments but to bring ones they already have at home.

Mass events for the lighting ceremony, along with a vibrant array of activities, will be in full swing once again, and we’re ready to celebrate together with you!

 

Nativity Scene on Gallusovo nabrežje

For the twelfth consecutive year, the beautifully illuminated and decorated Ljubljana is graced by a stunning straw nativity scene crafted with precision and care by Anton Kravanja. The life-sized figures are created by bundling straw with thread, then securing it onto wooden frames.

The nativity scene traditionally depicts the story of Jesus’s birth at Christmas. In Slovenia, the first nativity scene was set up in 1644 by Jesuits in St. James’s Church in Ljubljana, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. The Jesuits introduced nativity figures because they believed this visual representation helped people to better understand and remember the sacred events, making the story of Jesus’s birth more memorable.

Initially, nativity scenes were placed only in churches, but eventually, this custom found its way into people's homes. Each year at Christmas—a time of peace—Christians reflect on and remember the birth of Jesus.

Explore our festive offer

Petarde ne hvala foto Kraftart

Firecrackers, NO thanks!

In collaboration with Tam-Tam and the Municipality of Ljubljana, we are once again supporting the campaign 'Firecrackers? No, thanks!' because we know that animals would like to celebrate with us too. It is hard to be cheerful when you are scared, so let’s make sure that during the holiday season, only lights and candles are lit while firecrackers stay off.