Croatia Public Holidays (Non-Working Days): 2026 Dates + What’s Open

This guide lists all official Croatia public holidays (neradni dani) for 2026, with practical notes for travellers on what typically changes in real life. If you’re planning a trip, it helps to know these dates in advance because opening hours, transport timetables, and service availability can look different than on a normal weekday.

Croatia’s public holidays are defined by law and include a mix of Catholic religious observances (such as Easter, All Saints’ Day, and Christmas) and key dates in modern Croatian history. On these days, government offices and many administrative services are closed, and banks, post offices, and some shops may run shorter hours or not open at all. In coastal destinations and other tourist areas, especially in summer, restaurants, cafés, hotels, tours, and attractions often operate, but schedules can be reduced, so it’s smart to double-check hours and book ahead.

For more trip-planning basics, see our Croatia travel guide.

At a glance: all Croatia public holidays (fixed vs movable)

Croatia has 14 public holidays (blagdani) that are also non-working days. Most dates are fixed every year, while Easter and Corpus Christi move. Important for planning: if a public holiday falls on a Sunday (or another non-working day), it does not transfer to the next day - there is no automatic “Monday off” substitute.

Fixed-date public holidays (same date every year)

• 1 January - New Year’s Day (Nova godina)
• 6 January - Epiphany (Bogojavljenje / Sveta tri kralja)
• 1 May - Labour Day (Praznik rada)
• 30 May - Statehood Day (Dan državnosti)
• 22 June - Anti-Fascist Struggle Day (Dan antifašističke borbe)
• 5 August - Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day + Croatian Defenders’ Day (Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja)
• 15 August - Assumption Day (Velika Gospa)
• 1 November - All Saints’ Day (Svi sveti)
• 18 November - Remembrance Day for Homeland War victims + Vukovar and Škabrnja (Dan sjećanja na žrtve Domovinskog rata i Dan sjećanja na žrtvu Vukovara i Škabrnje)
• 25 December - Christmas Day (Božić)
• 26 December - St Stephen’s Day (Sveti Stjepan)

Movable public holidays (date changes each year)

• Easter Sunday (Uskrs)
• Easter Monday (Uskrsni ponedjeljak)
• Corpus Christi (Tijelovo)

Croatia public holidays in 2026 (non-working days)

These are Croatia’s official public holidays and non-working days in 2026. In 2026, Easter Sunday is on 5 April, Easter Monday on 6 April, and Corpus Christi on 4 June. If a holiday falls on a weekend, it does not move to Monday, so closures and crowds can be concentrated on the actual date.

Long weekends in Croatia (best breaks in 2026)

If you are planning a short trip or want to avoid the busiest turnover days, these are the most useful long weekend opportunities in 2026. Croatia does not “move” holidays to Monday, so the best breaks are when a holiday naturally falls on a Friday or Monday, or when you can bridge a Thursday holiday with a day off.

• New Year break - New Year’s Day is Thursday, 1 January 2026. Taking Friday, 2 January off creates a 4 day break.
• Epiphany mini break - Bogojavljenje / Sveta tri kralja is Tuesday, 6 January 2026. Taking Monday, 5 January off gives you a 4 day weekend.
• Easter weekend - Uskrs is Sunday, 5 April and Uskrsni ponedjeljak is Monday, 6 April 2026 - naturally a 3 day weekend.
• Labour Day long weekend - Praznik rada is Friday, 1 May 2026 - an easy 3 day weekend and often a popular time for short domestic trips.
• Tijelovo bridge weekend - Tijelovo is Thursday, 4 June 2026. Taking Friday, 5 June off creates a 4 day break.
• June long weekend - Dan antifašističke borbe is Monday, 22 June 2026 - naturally a 3 day weekend.
• August summer break option - Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i Dan hrvatskih branitelja is Wednesday, 5 August 2026. If you take Thursday and Friday off (6-7 August), you can build a longer midweek summer break.
• Christmas long weekend - Božić is Friday, 25 December 2026 and Sveti Stjepan is Saturday, 26 December 2026 - naturally a long holiday weekend, but expect reduced hours and higher travel demand.

Movable holidays explained - Uskrs (Easter) and Tijelovo (Corpus Christi)

Most Croatian public holidays fall on the same date every year, but three of them are movable because they are tied to the Christian calendar: Uskrs (Easter Sunday), Uskrsni ponedjeljak (Easter Monday), and Tijelovo (Corpus Christi). These dates change every year, which is why holiday lists can look different from one season to the next.

Easter is calculated as the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (fixed as 21 March for this calculation). Tijelovo is then observed on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which places it 60 days after Easter. In Croatia, these holidays are explicitly listed as public holidays and non-working days under the national holidays act.

• Example for 2026: Uskrs is 5 April 2026, Uskrsni ponedjeljak is 6 April 2026, and Tijelovo is 4 June 2026.
• Planning tip: If a public holiday falls on a Sunday (or another non-working day), it does not transfer to the next weekday in Croatia, so closures happen on the actual date.

What is open and closed on public holidays in Croatia

On Croatian public holidays (neradni dani), expect a slower pace and more limited “everyday services” than on a normal weekday. Public offices and most administration are closed, and many shops either close completely or work shorter hours. In coastal and tourist-heavy areas, hospitality and tourism services often continue operating, but schedules can still change at short notice, especially outside peak summer season.

Best practice for travellers: check the specific branch you plan to visit (Google listing, official website, or a notice on the door), and stock up the day before if the date is a major holiday like Uskrs, Svi sveti, or Božić.

Supermarkets and shopping malls

On public holidays, large supermarkets and shopping centres often have reduced opening hours or close entirely. If anything is open, it is usually limited to selected locations and shorter time windows, which is why it is smart to buy essentials the day before. In tourist destinations, you are more likely to find at least one shop open, but do not rely on it.

• Plan ahead for basics like water, snacks, baby supplies, and any special dietary items.
• If you arrive on a holiday, look for smaller neighbourhood shops, bakeries (pekare), kiosks, or travel-hub locations, but always confirm opening hours locally.

Are shops closed on public holidays in Croatia?

Often yes. On public holidays, it is normal for many retail stores to be closed or to operate with shorter hours, especially outside the main summer season. Even in busy areas, it is usually only selected locations that open, and hours can change quickly depending on staffing and local demand.

Public transport can also run on a Sunday or holiday timetable, which may mean fewer departures or reduced frequency on some routes. If you are connecting to a ferry, airport, or timed tour, confirm schedules directly with the operator and leave extra buffer time.

Also note Croatia’s Sunday trading rules: many shops are closed on most Sundays, and retailers can choose only a limited number of Sundays per year to open. Along the coast, many stores choose summer Sundays, but during spring and autumn weekends it is smart to check schedules in advance.

Legal exceptions: Croatia’s Trade Act lists categories of retail that are not covered by the general Sunday and holiday closure rules. In practice, you are most likely to find shops open in or connected to the following places:

• Railway and bus stations, airports, ports open to public traffic, inland waterway ports, and on ships, aircraft, and ferries for passenger and vehicle transport
• Petrol stations
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Cultural and religious institutions, museums, visitor centres and interpretation centres
• Nautical marinas
• Campsites
• Family farms (OPG - obiteljska poljoprivredna gospodarstva)
• Protected natural areas (under special regulations)

One specific rule worth knowing: press distribution kiosks (kiosci) can be open on Sundays and public holidays from 7:00 to 13:00.

Restaurants, cafés, and tourist services

Restaurants, cafés, hotels, and many tour providers often operate on public holidays, particularly in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, and coastal resorts. However, some places close for family holidays (especially Uskrs and Božić) or run a reduced schedule, so booking ahead is a good idea if you want a specific restaurant or tour time.

• Reserve for evenings on peak holiday weekends and during summer.
• Expect busier waterfront areas if retail is closed and people go out for coffee, lunch, or walks.

Pharmacies, clinics, and emergency services

Regular pharmacies (ljekarne) may be closed or operate shorter hours on public holidays, but at least one dežurna ljekarna (on-duty pharmacy) typically operates overnight, on Sundays, and on public holidays. If you need urgent medication, search locally for “dežurna ljekarna” and follow posted notices listing the duty pharmacy for that area.

For practical health and pharmacy tips while travelling, see our guide: Stay healthy in Croatia.

Public offices, banks, and post offices

On public holidays, assume that public administration is closed - this includes many municipal services, government counters, and similar offices. Banks and post offices commonly follow holiday schedules as well, so do not leave essential paperwork, cash withdrawals, or shipping tasks to a public holiday.

• Use ATMs for cash needs when bank branches are closed.
• If you must send something, plan around the holiday and check the local post office schedule in advance.

Sunday trading rules (why some weekends are tricky)

Croatia restricts retail work on Sundays, with shops generally closed on most Sundays and allowed to open on a limited number of Sundays per year chosen by the retailer. This matters for travellers because a public holiday weekend can overlap with a Sunday when many shops would be closed anyway, making it harder to “catch up” on shopping the next day.

• If you are travelling over a holiday weekend, treat Saturday as your main stocking-up day.
• Always check the exact branch hours - different chains and locations can make different choices.

Transport and tours on public holidays

Public holidays in Croatia can affect timetables more than many travellers expect. Ferries, buses, and local public transport may run on a Sunday/holiday schedule, some services operate less frequently, and popular routes can sell out faster during long weekends. The safest approach is to confirm times with the operator the day before travel and book key connections early in peak season - especially if you are planning day trips from Dubrovnik or Split, or travelling to Plitvice Lakes on a holiday weekend.

Ferries and catamarans

If you are travelling to islands, always check the official operator timetable for your route. Many lines use different schedules for Sundays and public holidays, and some departures do not operate on holidays at all. For holiday weekends in summer, arrive early at the port and book tickets in advance where possible.

• Confirm your exact route and date before you plan accommodation check-in times.
• If a line is marked as “Sunday and holiday” in the timetable, expect fewer departures than on a normal weekday.
• If you are connecting ferry to flight, build in extra buffer time on public holidays.

Road travel, motorways, and driving conditions

Holiday traffic can build quickly on coastal roads and motorways, especially on Friday afternoons and Sundays. If you are driving, use our practical guide to Croatian motorways for toll basics and route planning, and check live road conditions before long drives. Also plan for higher parking demand and slower traffic when locals take long-weekend breaks.

• Travel early in the morning on holiday weekends to avoid peak congestion.
• Keep some cash or a working card ready for tolls and small purchases - our currency in Croatia guide covers what you need day-to-day.

Trains and intercity buses

Trains and intercity buses may run with reduced frequency on public holidays, similar to Sunday service patterns. If you are planning a day trip to Plitvice Lakes or moving between major hubs like Split and Dubrovnik, verify your departure time directly with the operator and double-check the last return option of the day.

• Confirm holiday timetables the day before travel and allow extra time for connections.
• If you are relying on a late departure, have a backup plan (taxi, overnight stay, earlier return).

Local public transport in cities

City transport often runs on a reduced schedule on public holidays. In popular tourist cities, this can mean longer waits on less frequent lines outside the centre. Leave earlier than usual if you have a timed ticket, ferry check-in, or tour meeting point.

• Expect lighter commuter traffic but less frequent services, especially in the evening.
• Check same-day service notices if you are travelling early or late.

Tours, attractions, and winter travel note

Many tours, museums, and major attractions continue operating on public holidays, especially in tourist destinations, but opening hours can be reduced and ticket offices may close earlier. In winter, some tours and attractions run on limited schedules even on normal days, so it is worth checking our guide to visiting Croatia in winter if you are travelling outside the main season.

• Check attraction hours for Uskrs, Svi sveti, and Božić well ahead of time.
• Book guided tours early for holiday weekends, especially in Dubrovnik, Split, and Plitvice.

Public holidays vs memorial days in Croatia

In Croatia, it helps to separate two similar-looking categories in the official calendar:

• Blagdani i neradni dani - public holidays and non-working days. These are the dates when the country officially treats the day as a holiday (many public offices close, and some services run reduced hours).
• Spomendani - memorial or observance days. These dates are officially recognised and often marked by ceremonies or commemorations, but they are not automatically non-working days for most people.

This distinction matters because many online calendars mix public holidays and spomendani together. Croatia’s holidays act lists blagdani i neradni dani separately from spomendani, which include dates such as 25. lipnja (Dan neovisnosti) and 8. listopada (Dan Hrvatskoga sabora). If you are planning travel logistics, always base your plans on the blagdani i neradni dani list, then treat spomendani as days that may include local events but usually do not cause the same level of closures.

Update - 3. svibnja memorial day (added in 2025)

In 2025, Croatia updated the law to add 3. svibnja as a new spomendan: Dan sjećanja na ubijenu i stradalu djecu u Domovinskom ratu. This is an official remembrance day that is marked in a dignified way, but it was added under the spomendani section of the law - not the list of non-working public holidays. In practice, travellers should not expect nationwide closures comparable to major public holidays, although you may see commemorations in some locations.

What is the most important holiday in Croatia?

Statehood Day, celebrated each year 30th of May, holds deep significance for Croatians. It commemorates the establishment of an independent nation emerging from the trials of a war-torn history.

What is Tijelovo in English?

Corpus Christi, called “Tijelovo” in Croatian, is a Christian holiday observed in Croatia and other Catholic-majority nations. Celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost), this day is devoted to honoring the Eucharist and the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Official list: where Croatia’s public holidays are defined

Croatia’s nationwide public holidays (blagdani) and non-working days (neradni dani) are defined by the Act on Holidays, Memorial Days and Non-Working Days in the Republic of Croatia (Zakon o blagdanima, spomendanima i neradnim danima u Republici Hrvatskoj). On these dates, public holidays are treated as non-working days in Croatia, although essential services (and some tourism businesses) can still operate depending on local demand and staffing.

Because the law also includes memorial/observance days (spomendani), you may see certain dates on calendars that are important nationally but are not automatically a day off. We explain the difference (and recent updates) later in this guide so you can plan accurately.

If you want to verify the official wording, you can check the law via Croatia’s Official Gazette (Narodne novine) or the Croatian government’s guidance pages:

• Narodne novine (Official Gazette) – official legal publications and amendments
• 2025 amendment example (NN 72/2025) – shows how the list is updated
• Government FAQ/guidance – practical explanations around the Act
• Croatia National Tourist Board: holidays – traveller-focused summary and planning note

FAQ - Croatia public holidays

Are shops closed on public holidays in Croatia?

Often yes. Many supermarkets and shopping centres close or run reduced hours on public holidays, with fewer options outside major tourist areas. If you are arriving on a holiday, stock up the day before and check the specific branch hours locally.

Do restaurants and cafés stay open on public holidays?

Usually yes in tourist areas, especially in coastal destinations and big cities, but hours can be reduced on family holidays like Uskrs and Božić. If you have a specific restaurant in mind, make a reservation and confirm opening hours.

How many public holidays does Croatia have?

Croatia has 14 public holidays that are also non-working days. In addition, there are official spomendani (memorial days) which are recognised nationally but are not automatically days off.

Do ferries and buses run on public holidays?

Yes, but often on a Sunday or holiday timetable, with fewer departures on some routes. Always verify schedules directly with the operator for your exact date, especially in summer and on long weekends.

Do Croatian public holidays move to Monday if they fall on a weekend?

No. In Croatia, public holidays are observed on their actual date. If a holiday falls on a Sunday (or another non-working day), there is no automatic substitute day off on Monday.