New Year's (Day 2) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Public Holiday:

• New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st, but many people in Bosnia and Herzegovina also consider January 2nd as an unofficial extension of the New Year celebration.
• It is not an official public holiday, so businesses may have the discretion to remain open or closed.

History and Traditions:

• The celebration of the New Year in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been influenced by various cultures due to the country's historical ties with different empires and its multiethnic composition.
• Traditionally, New Year's festivities include family gatherings, feasts, fireworks, music, and dancing.
• In recent decades, Western traditions like Santa Claus (called "Djed Mraz" locally) and Christmas trees have become part of the New Year celebrations for some families.

Activities on January 2nd:

• Many residents continue their celebrations by visiting family and friends whom they did not see on New Year's Eve or Day.
• People often take this day to relax after the festivities from the night before.
• Some might attend concerts or public events if they are organized in major cities like Sarajevo or Banja Luka.

Cultural Note:

• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, which comprises Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, and others, different communities may also celebrate their own religious new year days according to Islamic or Julian calendars.