When is Science Day?
In 2026, Science Day falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. It is an observance rather than a federal holiday, so federal offices and most businesses follow their normal schedules.
History of Science Day
Science Day is one of Slovenia’s newest national holidays. The government adopted it to raise awareness of science, research and innovation and to bring scientific achievement closer to the public.
The day is explicitly not work-free, so it does not change the ordinary working calendar. Its purpose is educational and civic: universities, schools, laboratories and cultural organisations can use it to share research, celebrate scientists and discuss the place of evidence and discovery in public life.
Science Day entered the statutory calendar in 2025, with the first observance on November 10 that year, and is expressly not work-free. The date honours the birth of Slovenian physician and chemist Friderik Pregl, who received the 1923 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Workplaces and schools remain on normal schedules, making institutional programming central to its visibility. It is fixed without a substitute weekday and should not be represented to travellers or employees as a public closure.
How Science Day is observed
A national science observance, not a work-free public holiday. Normal work and school schedules generally apply. The legal date and published local schedules remain decisive for practical planning.
Traditions of Science Day
Research open days
Universities, institutes and laboratories can present talks, demonstrations and accessible explanations of Slovenian research to the wider public.
School science activity
Teachers and science centres use November 10 to promote curiosity, experiments and awareness of research careers among young people.
Public evidence discussions
Panels and media programmes consider innovation, responsible research and the role of reliable evidence in Slovenian public life.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Slovenian government holiday guidance. National observances are not always work-free days; employer and school calendars should be checked.
History sources: Government of Slovenia: national holidays and work-free days, Slovenian Legal Information System: Holidays and Days off Act, Slovenian public administration: statutory holiday dataset.
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