Hotel Esplanade donned its most dazzling attire ever last night
A hundred years of tradition under the spectacle of lights
on the façade of the Esplanade Hotel
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Zagreb’s iconic hotel, a glamorous light installation on the façade of the Esplanade Hotel, titled Circle of Light, marked the beginning of the Zagreb Festival of Lights last night. Sensational 3D visuals came to life as a result of collaboration between top-tier Croatian and German artists under the guidance of the Zagreb Tourist Board. They brought elegance and glamour of times past back to life on the Esplanade’s historic architecture and evoked the hotel’s remarkable history. Built to accommodate passengers of the iconic Orient Express, it first opened its doors on 22 April 1925.
“The Festival of Lights has grown into one of Zagreb’s most captivating events and tourist attractions, which is why I am immensely proud and deeply grateful to the Zagreb Tourist Board and the City of Zagreb, who have recognised the importance of the Esplanade Hotel as one of the city’s symbols and a crucial hub of its social life. I am delighted that this year, to mark the hotel’s milestone anniversary, they have included the Esplanade in the festival programme in the most beautiful way possible – by illuminating the hotel’s iconic façade. Over the next few days, I invite the people of Zagreb and all visitors to take a stroll near the hotel and embark on a magical journey through time, from the golden age of the Orient Express and the Belle Époque period to glamorous soirées, and to experience the mesmerising light projection that fuses history and innovation”, emphasised Ivica Max Krizmanić, the General Manager of the Esplanade Hotel.
The Zagreb Festival of Lights, ranked by Forbes as one of the top 10 must-visit festivals in Europe in 2025, was officially opened last night in Ante Starčević Square in front of a large audience by Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Tomislav Tomašević, Mayor of Zagreb, and Martina Bienenfeld, Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board.
The Zagreb Festival of Lights, which traditionally welcomes the arrival of spring in a symbolic manner, is taking place until Sunday, 23 March 2025, from 6 pm to 11 pm. During the festival’s five-day run, the city will shine in its full splendour, with visitors able to enjoy a variety of light installations, artistic projections and 3D mapping at 25 locations.
To mark the Festival of Lights, the renowned mixologist Vjenceslav Madić – Master Kishoni has created two sensational cocktails, aptly named Circle of Light and The Timeless Esplanade Martini, which he has fittingly illuminated. These cocktails will be available at the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar during the Zagreb Festival of Lights. The Glow Collection Menu featuring illuminated cocktails can be found here.
Additionally, the Esplanade Hotel has created a special overnight stay package, titled A Hundred Years of Tradition Under the Spectacle of Lights, for those who wish to secure their stay in the very centre of this event, at the historic Esplanade Hotel, and watch the city come alive with a dance of light and colour. More information on the overnight stay package can be found here.
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PHOTOS
Download photos from the Festival of Lights opening ceremony (credits to the Esplanade Hotel archive): Esplanade Zagreb Hotel – Festival svjetla Zagreb 2025
Published: Zagreb, 20 March 2025
