New Year’s Day in Serbia
Serbia observes New Year as a two-day public holiday on January 1 and 2. The holiday has roots in postwar Yugoslav civic celebrations, and the winter season can include a second, old-calendar New Year in mid-January.[1][2][3][4]
Two days off under Serbian law
Serbian law designates New Year as a public holiday on January 1 and 2. Government bodies and businesses generally do not work on these dates, although services needed to prevent harm and operations that require continuous work may continue.[1][2]
If either holiday date falls on a Sunday, the first following working day is also non-working. This rule applies to state holidays, including New Year; it does not move the holiday itself to a new date.[1][2]
A postwar civic tradition
New Year’s place in Serbia’s public calendar reflects its history within Yugoslavia. The Museum of Yugoslav History describes how postwar authorities promoted New Year festivities as a shared civic celebration and children’s holiday. New Year became a state holiday in Yugoslavia in 1955.[3]
The museum’s account also notes that New Year celebrations gained particular importance after the Second World War. This history helps explain the holiday’s public character, but does not mean that celebrations are the same for every household or community.[3]
A second New Year in January
Serbia’s winter calendar also includes the Serbian or Orthodox New Year, observed according to the Julian calendar. The Serbian government describes it as beginning on the night of January 13–14, while the national tourism organisation notes that the winter holiday season can extend into mid-January.[4][5]
The National Tourism Organisation describes winter events across the country, including markets, concerts and celebrations, with options ranging from city nightlife to mountain stays and spa visits. Programmes and customs vary by place; the organisation’s overview does not establish one national New Year meal or household ritual.[4]
What to expect when planning
Public offices are generally closed on January 1 and 2, subject to the law’s exceptions for services that must continue. Retail hours can differ: a Belgrade city notice, for example, allowed designated shops to close on January 1 and described other holiday arrangements for retailers and petrol stations. Check local announcements and individual business hours before travelling or shopping.[2][6]
Holiday status alone does not tell you the opening hours of a particular bank, shop or transport service. The National Bank of Serbia lists January 1 and 2 as non-working public holidays in its published calendar; for other services, check the relevant provider’s current holiday notice.[7]
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a day off in Serbia?
What happens if January 1 or 2 falls on a Sunday?
Are shops open on New Year’s Day?
Hours vary. In Belgrade, a city notice for the 2025–26 holiday period said designated shops could close on January 1; check local and store notices for the dates of your visit.[6]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Serbia:
- Državni i verski praznici Republike Srbije- Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia
- Zakon o državnim i drugim praznicima u Republici Srbiji- Paragraf Lex
- New Year Celebration as Political Ritual- Museum of Yugoslav History
- Winter Holidays in Serbia- National Tourism Organisation of Serbia
- Православни верници у недељу славе Божић- Government of the Republic of Serbia
- Radno vreme zanatskih i trgovinskih objekata u vreme novogodišnjih i božićnih praznika- City of Belgrade
- Public holidays in Serbia- National Bank of Serbia