In depth · Christmas & New Year
Christmas in the Balkans: Advent markets, two Christmases and the winter festivals
In the Balkans the season is long and doubled: Advent markets from late November, Catholic Christmas on 25 December, New Year in the squares, and Orthodox Christmas on 7 January. Here is the season capital by capital, from our city guides.
Updated October 2026
Ljubljana: Festive December
Festive December runs from 27 November 2026 to 14 January 2027. The Christmas lights are switched on on Prešeren Square at 5pm on 27 November, and the markets line the river and the squares of the old town until 3 January (Visit Ljubljana).
Zagreb: Advent
Advent in Zagreb 2026 runs from 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027, opening with the first candle on the great wreath on Ban Jelačić Square. Try fritule, štrukli and kuhano vino; 25 and 26 December, 1 and 6 January are public holidays.
Sarajevo: the Holiday Market
The Sarajevo Holiday Market has been held every winter since 2011; its 2026 dates had not been published when our Sarajevo guide checked on 11 November. Catholic Christmas is on 25 December and Orthodox Christmas on 7 January, and the ski season on Jahorina and Bjelašnica usually opens in December, snow permitting.
Belgrade and Novi Sad
Belgrade Waterfront lights its Winter Fairytale in Sava Park in early December, and the city’s kiosks appear on Republic Square and Knez Mihailova. Most Serbians celebrate Christmas on 7 January, with the badnjak burned on Christmas Eve. Novi Sad’s Christmas market runs from 3 December 2026 to 5 January 2027.
Christmas in Belgrade Novi Sad & Vojvodina
Podgorica: Podgorički pazar
Each winter Podgorica holds Podgorički pazar, the holiday market on Independence Square, with local food, concerts and DJs. The last edition ran from 19 December 2025 to 13 January 2026; the 2026 dates had not been announced on 11 November.
Tirana: the market on Skanderbeg Square
Last season Tirana’s Christmas market ran on Skanderbeg Square from 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, with a second market at the New Bazaar. Christmas Day, 25 December, is a public holiday.
Skopje: the tree on Macedonia Square
Skopje lights a great tree on Macedonia Square for the New Year, and in past seasons the city has set up a bazaar of wooden chalets beside it. Orthodox Christmas, the main celebration, is on 7 January, and Vodici (Epiphany) on 19 January.
Dates are as published by the organisers when our city guides checked them; programmes for December are often announced late, so check each city guide before you travel.