Event
Christmas & St Stephen's Day in Croatia 2026 (Božić)
Croatia's Christmas public holidays are Christmas Day (Božić) on 25 December and St Stephen's Day (Sveti Stjepan) on 26 December. Zagreb's award-winning Advent market season peaks in the surrounding weeks.
Updated Jun 20, 2026Browse all guides
Photo by Emmanuel Cassar on Unsplash
At a glance
- Dates
- December 25–2026 (day: 26)
- Where
- Nationwide
- Price
- Free
- Official
- mvep.gov.hr ↗
Last updated:
What to expect
- Two consecutive Christmas public holidays
- Zagreb's celebrated Advent fairy lights and markets across the season
- Midnight masses (Polnoćka) on Christmas Eve
Planning tips
- Most shops and restaurants close on 25–26 December; stock up beforehand
- Advent stalls largely pause on the holidays themselves
- Public transport runs a reduced holiday timetable
Build a day around it
The easiest event day in Zagreb is a simple structure: one event block, one food block, and one short walk — plus buffer. When you plan lightly, the city feels relaxed instead of scheduled.
- If you have 2–3 hours: arrive early → event → quick loop nearby.
- If you’re making a full day: one major “things to do” pick + event + a calm dinner plan.
- If the weather turns: keep walking minimal and use cafés/museums as your buffer.
Before you go
- Confirm the details: check the official link for last-minute schedule or venue updates.
- Arrive with buffer: 15–30 minutes early usually makes the whole experience calmer.
- Have a weather plan: keep one indoor “warm stop” in mind in case the day turns.