Bosnia and Herzegovina Public Holidays 2025
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 20 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | New Year's Day | public | |
| Thu | 2nd day of the New Year | public | |
| Mon | Epiphany | public | |
| Tue | Orthodox Christmas | public | |
| Tue | Orthodox New Year | public | |
| Sun | End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) | public | |
| Sun | Easter Sunday | public | |
| Sun | Orthodox Easter | public | |
| Mon | Easter Monday | public | |
| Thu | Labour Day | public | |
| Fri | 2nd day of the Labour Day | public | |
| Fri | Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) | public | |
| Thu | Corpus Christi | public | |
| Thu | Islamic New Year | public | |
| Thu | Assumption | public | |
| Thu | Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) | public | |
| Sat | All Saints' Day | public | |
| Sun | All Souls' Day | public | |
| Thu | Christmas Day | public | |
| Fri | Boxing Day | public |
About Bosnia and Herzegovina's Holidays
Bosnia and Herzegovina has mixed national and public holidays that mark statehood, independence and common civic life. Key dates include Statehood Day in late November, Independence Day in March, New Year and Labour Day in May. These shape official closures.
Religious festivals matter a lot. Muslim holidays like Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha, Orthodox Christmas on January 7 and Catholic Christmas on December 25 bring family gatherings and days off. Schools and businesses often close for these celebrations.
There are also regional and cultural observances. Republika Srpska keeps its own January 9 holiday. Commemorations like the Srebrenica remembrance in July are important to national memory and public life.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina bring family and friends together. People travel to their hometowns, clean homes, and prepare special foods. Meals are long and warm, with breads, meat dishes, sweets, coffee, and rakija shared by all.
Religious and cultural customs mix. Families visit elders, exchange gifts, and light candles or attend services. Children often receive treats and play with cousins. Respect for traditions and family is strong across communities.
Public celebrations are lively. Towns host concerts, folk dance groups, and markets. Streets fill with music, colorful clothes, and flags. People celebrate with both solemn ceremonies and joyful gatherings that reflect Bosnia and Herzegovina cultural diversity.
Travel Tips
Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina during the holiday season means some shops, banks, and government offices close or have short hours. Tourist attractions usually stay open, but check schedules in advance to avoid surprises.
Public transport runs, but timetables change and service can be reduced on major holidays. Trains and buses can be crowded before and after long weekends, so book seats early for intercity travel.
Airports remain open, but expect busier security and possible delays. Roads near cities and mountain resorts get heavy traffic when people travel for family visits and winter sports.
Plan ahead. Reserve hotels and transport early. Carry cash because some small shops close card machines. Keep copies of bookings and have a flexible schedule.