Here’s a list of the annual public holidays in Croatia. As a Catholic country, Croatia celebrates a number of religious holidays throughout the year, whilst others are either historically celebrated public holidays or those to do with the war in the 1990s.
During public holidays, the majority of shops, businesses, restaurants, cafes, banks and so on are closed. Most people will be off work, and schools will also be closed. However, you may find some smaller shops (e.g. those that sell food/groceries) will still be open. Places along the coast are more likely to be open to cater for holidaymakers.
Transport (buses, trains, ferries/catamarans) will still run, but usually on a reduced service. Some timetables, particularly ferries/catamarans, may operate on their Sunday schedule.
Changing Dates
In 2020, Croatia had a bit of a shake-up of its publicly celebrated holidays. Croatia’s Statehood Day/National Day (Dan drzavnosti) was moved forward in the year and is now celebrated on 30th May; this is the day (in 1990) that the constitution of the first modern-day parliament of Croatia was created. From 2002 to 2019, Statehood Day was celebrated on 25th June; that date is now a memorial day (a working day) and is now called Independence Day.
Likewise, 8th October – formerly called Independence Day (Dan neovisnosti) and commemorating the day in 1991 when Croatia formally decided to terminate all links with Yugoslavia – is now also a memorial day (a working day) called Croatian Parliament Day.
Public Holidays in Croatia 2026
1 January
New Year’s Day
6 January
Epiphany
5 & 6 April
Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
1 May
International Workers’ Day (Labour Day)
30 May
Statehood Day (Dan državnosti)
4 June
Corpus Christi
22 June
Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
5 August
Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day
15 August
Feast of the Assumption
1 November
All Saints’ Day
18 November
Remembrance Day
25 & 26 December
Christmas
Memorial Days in Croatia 2026
Croatia also celebrates certain other days throughout the year, which are considered ‘memorial days’ but are not public holidays (i.e. they are still working days). There are 11 memorial days; they include:
9 January
Day of Unification of Medjimurje with the Country of Croatia
15 January
Day of International Recognition of Croatia
9 May
Europe Day/Day of Victory Over Fascism
25 June
Independence Day (25th June was formerly the public holiday Statehood Day up to and including 2019)
23 August
European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes (Nazism, Fascism and Communism)
8 October
Croatian Parliament Day (8th October was formerly the public holiday, Independence Day, up to and including 2019)