Public Holidays and Days Off in Montenegro: Calendar for 2026

For tourists and expats in Montenegro, holidays are not only an opportunity to get acquainted with traditions, but also a logistical quest. On public holidays all supermarkets, shopping centers, banks, and government institutions are closed. Only bakeries (often until noon), gas stations, and duty pharmacies operate.

Attention: Montenegro has a strict law on non-working Sundays and public holidays. If you arrive on January 1 or May 1, buy groceries in advance or plan to eat at restaurants.

Public Holidays in 2026 (non-working days)

In Montenegro, holidays are often celebrated over two days. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the day off is moved to the first or second following working day.

January 1–2 (Thursday–Friday): New Year.
January 6 (Tuesday): Orthodox Christmas Eve (Badnji Dan). Usually a shortened working day.
January 7–8 (Wednesday–Thursday): Orthodox Christmas.
April 10 (Friday): Good Friday (Orthodox).
April 13 (Monday): Easter Monday (Orthodox).
May 1–2 (Friday–Saturday): Labour Day.
May 21–22 (Thursday–Friday): Independence Day.
July 13–14 (Monday–Tuesday): Statehood Day.
November 13–14 (Friday–Saturday): Njegoš Day (Culture Day).

Religious holidays (days off for believers)

According to the law, representatives of different confessions are entitled to paid days off on their main dates. Government institutions operate on these days, but staffing levels may be reduced.

Catholic Christmas: December 24–26.
Ramadan Bayram: Approximately March 20–22, 2026 (depends on the lunar calendar).
Kurban Bayram: Approximately May 27–29, 2026.

Christmas: two dates, different traditions

Montenegro is a multi-confessional country. Catholic Christmas (December 25) is celebrated more modestly, mainly in the Bay of Kotor and communities with a Catholic population. Orthodox Christmas (January 7) is a large-scale event.

Key traditions of Orthodox Christmas

Badnji Dan (January 6): In the morning, men cut badnjak (an oak log). In the evening, it is ceremonially burned in squares in front of churches. This is a spectacular event accessible to tourists.
Lenten dinner: On January 6, fish, beans, and priganice (doughnuts) are eaten.
Česnica: On the morning of January 7, a special bread is broken, inside which a coin is hidden. Whoever finds it will have good luck for the whole year.

Life hack: The traditional greeting on these days is: “Hristos se rodi!” (Christ is born). The response should be: “Vaistinu se rodi!” (Truly He is born).

Slava — a phenomenon of Montenegrin hospitality

Slava is not a public holiday, but the day of the patron saint of a particular family. The tradition is included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The celebration is passed from father to son. On this day, the doors of the house are open to guests.

The most widespread Slava is Saint Nicholas (Nikoljdan, December 19). In Montenegro they joke: “Half the country celebrates, the other half is visiting them.” Road traffic can be overloaded on this day.

What to do if you are invited to a Slava

It is not customary to refuse — it is an honor. The format of the event is a plentiful feast (meat, sarma, wine) and socializing.

What to give the hosts:

A bottle of red wine (Vranac).
A pack of coffee (ground, "domaća kafa").
A box of sweets or chocolate.
It is customary to give children chocolate separately.

Expensive gifts are not required; the gesture of attention is what matters.

Practical tips for holidays

Shopping planning: Buy food 2 days before holidays. On the eve, there are huge queues in stores.
Transport: Intercity buses may run on a Sunday schedule (less frequently than usual).
Parking: On public holidays, municipal parking in some cities (for example, Podgorica) may be free, but it is better to check signs on site.

Public Holidays and Days Off in Montenegro: Calendar for 2026