Public Holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Statutory public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Bosnia and Herzegovina at a glance
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public holidays differ between its two entities, with Statehood Day in November and Independence Day on 1 March the main national dates, alongside Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim observances.
Because three religious traditions are represented, the calendar includes Christmas, Orthodox Christmas, both Eids and the Jewish and Catholic feast days.
Bosnia and Herzegovina public holidays 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 10 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| New Year's Day | Jan 2Fri | National |
| Orthodox Christmas Day | Jan 7Wed | National |
| Eid al-Fitr (estimated) | Mar 20Fri | National |
| Catholic Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Orthodox Good Friday | Apr 10Fri | National |
| International Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| International Labor Day | May 2Sat | National |
| Eid al-Adha (estimated) | May 27Wed | National |
| Catholic Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 10 of 10 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sarajevo
A valley capital where Ottoman bazaars, Austro-Hungarian blocks and minarets meet.
Mostar
A city rebuilt around its famous stone bridge over the emerald Neretva.
Banja Luka
The second city, on the Vrbas river, with a fortress and rafting nearby.
Tuzla
A salt-mining city with a large salt lake in the middle of town.
Bihac
A city on the Una river, gateway to the waterfalls and rapids of Una National Park.
Top attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The places that draw most visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Old Bridge, Mostar
A rebuilt 16th-century stone bridge, the symbol of reconciliation in the city.
Latin Bridge
The Ottoman bridge where the 1914 assassination triggered the First World War.
Una National Park
A river of tufa barriers, waterfalls and kayaking rapids along the Croatian border.
Kravice Waterfalls
A wide curtain of falls plunging into a green pool near Mostar.
Blagaj Tekija
A Dervish monastery built into a cliff beside a powerful karst spring.
Sutjeska National Park
Primeval forest and a deep canyon holding the country's highest peak.
Festivals, food and getting around Bosnia and Herzegovina
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
-
🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
-
🎉
New Year's (Day 2)
Falls on Jan 2
-
🎉
Orthodox Christmas Eve
Falls on Jan 6
-
🎉
Orthodox Christmas Day
Falls on Jan 7
-
🎉
Day of the Republika Srpska
Falls on Jan 9
-
🎉
Orthodox New Year
Falls on Jan 14
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses are the main public transport; mountain roads are slow and a car helps for the national parks.
Travelling around Bosnia and Herzegovina’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Bosnia and Herzegovina tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Bosnia and Herzegovina's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Bosnia and Herzegovina public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Bosnia and Herzegovina have?
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 10 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Bosnia and Herzegovina's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Bosnia and Herzegovina typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Calendars are published for 2027, 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Bosnia And Herzegovina
School term dates in Bosnia And Herzegovina
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.