Bosnia and Herzegovina holiday calendar
Public holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Bosnia and Herzegovina public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 0
- Regional dates
- 10
- Observances
- 6
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Bosnia and Herzegovina calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. January and May are the busiest months, with 4 listed dates.
Bosnia and Herzegovina holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 16 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayThe first day of a two-day civil New Year break recognised by the Federation, Republika Srpska and Brčko District holiday systems. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| New Year HolidayJanuary 2 completes the statutory civil New Year break in the Federation, Republika Srpska and Brčko District. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Orthodox ChristmasJanuary 7 is Orthodox Christmas for Serbian Orthodox communities, with paid religious leave and strong visibility in Republika Srpska. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Republika Srpska DayRepublika Srpska authorities continue to close institutions on January 9, although that date was ruled unconstitutional and is not nationwide. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Independence DayMarch 1 commemorates the 1992 referendum and is normally non-working in the Federation, but not uniformly observed in Republika Srpska. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Brčko District DayMarch 8 is a statutory Brčko District holiday marking the District’s establishment under the post-Dayton arbitration framework. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Eid al-FitrRamazanski bajram ends Ramadan for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Muslims, with leave and closures determined by jurisdiction rather than nationwide law. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Catholic EasterWestern Easter is central to Catholic communities, with leave and public-body closures governed differently in each jurisdiction. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Orthodox EasterOrthodox Easter is especially prominent in Serbian Orthodox communities, with paid leave in Republika Srpska and periodic Brčko arrangements. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Labour DayMay 1 begins a two-day statutory Labour Day break under the Federation, Republika Srpska and Brčko District systems. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Labour Day HolidayMay 2 completes the two-day Labour Day break recognised separately in the Federation, Republika Srpska and Brčko District. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Victory over Fascism DayMay 9 is non-working in Republika Srpska and commemorative elsewhere, but is not a uniform Bosnia and Herzegovina closure. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Eid al-AdhaKurban-bajram centres on prayer, sacrifice, sharing meat and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s connection with the Hajj season. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Dayton Agreement DayNovember 21 is a Republika Srpska republic holiday marking the Dayton Agreement’s 1995 initialling, not a nationwide closure. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Statehood DayNovember 25 commemorates the first ZAVNOBiH session and is non-working in the Federation, but not uniformly observed nationwide. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Catholic ChristmasDecember 25 is the principal Catholic Christmas feast, especially visible in Croat communities, with jurisdiction-specific leave rather than national closure. | Cultural observance | — |
Sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- fbihvlada.gov.baPrimary calendar source
- skupstinabd.baPrimary calendar source
- ustavnisud.baPrimary calendar source
- vladars.rsPrimary calendar source
- fbihvlada.gov.baPrimary calendar source
- islamskazajednica.baPrimary calendar source
- biskupija-banjaluka.orgPrimary calendar source
- spc.rsPrimary calendar source
- fbihvlada.gov.baPrimary calendar source
- vladars.rsPrimary calendar source
- islamskazajednica.baPrimary calendar source
- web.parlament.baPrimary calendar source
- fbihvlada.gov.baPrimary calendar source
- fbihvlada.gov.baPrimary calendar source