3 Best Performing Arts in Zagreb and Environs, Croatia

Throughout December, the town of Varaždin celebrates Advent, when the streets and squares come alive with the Christmas spirit. Ornaments and sweets are on sale, there's outdoor skating—and, yes, Santa Claus wanders about handing out gifts to kids.

For 10 days, usually in late August, Špancirfest occupies various squares in the town center, featuring a colorful array of free open-air theatrical and acrobatic performances, live music from classical to rock, traditional and modern dance, arts-and-crafts exhibits, and more. Špancir is a local expression referring to a leisurely enjoyable stroll, so the event may be translated in tourist brochures as Street Walkers' Festival.

Despite its location in a forested hilly area, Tuškanac is part of Zagreb, and over the summer, the 20th-century outdoor stage in this park transforms into an open-air movie theater airing a variety of flicks. It's also home to a number of festivals, including the fun Pop-Up Summer Garden, centered around cool seating, food, and drink stands. Tuškanac features some historical vacation villas once used by the city's aristocracy, and its great walking path amid the greenery is worth a stroll at any time.