A crowd of passers-by and tourists gathered in the square for the ceremony.
Advent is a season observed in Christianity as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Usually, an Advent wreath includes four candles and symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent.
The Advent in Zagreb, which has been named the best such event in Europe in recent years, will last until January 6, 2019, and puts special emphasis on cultural events that will usher in the holiday season in anticipation of Christmas for Zagreb residents and their guests.
The Advent in Zagreb is featuring eight festivals, focusing on classical music, as well as exhibitions.
The main theme of this year's programme are stories and fairy tales by Croatian writer Ivana Brlic Mazuranic who lived from 1874 to 1938. Most venues of the Advent programme will feature some of the motifs of her fairy tales.
Prekrizje Villa, which is used by the Croatian President, was today decorated for the Advent season and it is added to the venues of the Advent in Zagreb programme.
The ice rink at Zrinjevac was officially opened to skaters on Saturday evening, too.
One of the new events this year is Advent in Maksimir, a family entertainment programme organised in cooperation with the Zagreb Zoo. In addition, the Stara Tkalca Advent, will be promoting traditional trades and the spirit of Zagreb's oldest neighbourhoods of Gradec and Kaptol.
The Film Advent event, to be taking place in Zagreb's Europa cinema, will feature Christmas films for audiences of all age groups.
Cities throughout Croatia offer various Advent and Christmas programmes
Apart from the capital city that lives in a special atmosphere during this winter period, cities and municipalities across Croatia have prepared entertainment and cultural programmes for the Advent and Christmas season to delight locals and visitors.
The authorities in the Adriatic city of Split have recently presented this year's programme for Advent and Christmas which include entertainment and a Christmas fair on the city's Riva promenade.
The "Winter Aquarel" programme, which will last from 1 December 2018 to 7 January 2019, is being organised by the city authorities and this year's novelty will be a live nativity scene at Zrnovnica which will be presented 21 - 23 December in that eastern suburb.
Last year, the coastal city of Sibenik organised "Adventura", which was special for being a plastic-free fair.