The capital of Serbia is known as a place to have a good time all year round, and hardly anyone remains indifferent to its charms. It gets a special charm towards the end of the year, when the lights flicker and the streets are filled with festive euphoria. This December, Belgrade really looks like the scenery from your favorite New Year’s movies and offers a lot of content that guarantees unforgettable holiday moments, similar to those in the world’s most famous metropolises.
Here are five suggestions on how to feel the festive energy of the capital and experience the city at its best in the new epicenter of the city’s events, Belgrade Waterfront.
1. The most beautiful Winter Fairy-tale in the Sava Park
As soon as you set foot in the Sava Park, which hosts the “Winter Fairy-tale” festival, you will be reminded why the holidays are the most beautiful part of the year. During the magical thirty days, until January 15, on an area of about 20,000 square meters, young and old visitors can expect phenomenal music programs, delicious tastes and smells of the best cuisines, a Christmas tree of the best wishes and a cheerful outdoor skating rink. On the main stage, favorite plays of children’s theaters are performed, New Year’s fairy tales are read, and visitors can enjoy a rich gastronomic offer with top wines and warm brandy. A winter fairy tale is the most beautiful setting to say goodbye to the old and welcome the New Year with loved ones, celebrate Christmas and the Orthodox New Year, or in the meantime, turn every “ordinary” winter day into a holiday magic.
2. Spectacular craziest night next to the Belgrade Tower
If you missed the magnificent New Year’s fireworks at Belgrade Waterfront last year, don’t let the most spectacular New Year’s welcome in Serbia pass you by on December 31. The best party in town starts on December 31 at 8:30 PM on the plateau next to the Old Sava Bridge, on the Sava Promenade, and admission is free. Sail into 2023 with the music of the most popular local artists – Zeljko Joksimovic, Jelena Tomasevic and Marko Louis. Exactly at midnight, a light and musical performance will be staged from the Belgrade Tower, with an impressive game of powerful lasers and fireworks from the highest building in the region. The program will be accompanied by music specially composed for this occasion, in which will be woven melodies characteristic of other countries – China, France, Russia, Great Britain, Arab countries – which is a way for Belgrade to wish a happy New Year 2023 to the whole world!
3. Shopping that is more than shopping
Everyone who loves the holiday euphoria of shopping will love it even more in Galerija, and those who don’t will change their minds when they first step into the New Year’s magic of the largest shopping center in the region. Here you will find the most beautiful gifts in one place, and if you make a collective purchase in one day in the minimum amount of 10,000 dinars, the gifts will be wrapped for free in the New Year’s Village on the first floor. Don’t forget to scan the receipts in Galerija application, which returns part of the money to you in the form of points. Be sure to bring the little ones too, because in the New Year’s Village there are fun zones with different contents waiting for them – in one they will be able to take photos with Santa Claus, who arrives straight from Lapland on December 21, in another they will write letters to him, in the third there will be alternating creative workshops, while the fourth will house a corner for the organization of performances and concerts for all generations. The magic continues at the beginning of 2023, when this space is occupied by Father Christmas House.
4. A romantic walk along the Sava Promenade
As inviting as the festive atmosphere filled with lights, happy music and the smell of donuts is, there are times when you’ll want to distance yourself a bit and to clear your mind along the river. There is no better place for a short urban contact with nature than the Sava Promenade. Those who come by car will not have the usual worry that accompanies driving into the city center – where to park. Free parking is available in the underground garage of the Gallery, as well as in the newly opened outdoor garage. During a romantic walk on the city’s most beautiful promenade, you will enjoy the relaxing and calming view of the water. If you prefer an active holiday, grab your roller skates, park your bikes and take advantage of every nice winter day to ride to Ada Ciganlija or Dorcol.
5. Warm yourself up with drinks that smell like winter
One of the nicest feelings is when we take a short break with coffee and cake in the middle of shopping or when we stop by after a walk in the harsh winter air to warm our fingers with a cup of hot chocolate and aromatic mulled wine. There is no better setting for that than the charming and refined cafes and restaurants in Galerija. You can also enjoy your favorite tea with rum in one of the beautiful gardens with a view of the Sava, wrapped in a blanket. Such moments spent with dear people will warm your body and soul, and if you need concrete “fuel” for your holiday adventures, take the opportunity to explore the richest gastronomic offer in the city. You will surely find something to your taste in the Galerija, from local Serbian cuisine to Mexican and Italian to Chinese and Thai.
This is just part of the best winter fun that awaits you in Belgrade this season. That’s why if you’re coming as a guest, set aside at least five days to experience the festive magic of the Serbian capital, and if you’re from Belgrade – don’t hesitate to turn every free moment into winter magic. And don’t worry about where you’re going for the craziest night! With the lights of the great city reflected in the Sava, Belgrade Waterfront will present the most beautiful scenery for saying goodbye to the old and entering the new year.