If you are looking for a place to celebrate the next winter holiday season, visiting Montenegro could be a great choice. There are a lot of events, concerts, and festivals during the Christmas and New Year season. You can enjoy warm and filling traditional Montenegrin cuisine in local cafes and restaurants.
We can consider that the festive season begins on December 25th, the day of the Catholic Christmas. In Montenegro, it is a working day for most people. Then comes the New Year, which is widely celebrated. And finally, the main holiday is Orthodox Christmas on January 7th. Christmas Eve, January 6th, is called Badnji dan here and has its own traditions.
The holiday of Badnji Dan is a blend of Christianity and paganism, medieval traditions, and modern customs. On January 6th, according to tradition, a man should go into the forest in the morning to cut a branch from an oak tree, and in the evening throw it into a fire made near the church — the more sparks it gives off, the luckier and happier the year will be for the family. Nowadays, it is not mandatory to go to the forest – you can just buy a few oak branches.
Guests are always welcome at the celebration, so you can come to watch — or even bring and burn your own little oak branch.
This is how Kotor Old Town looks during the winter holiday season. Note the beautiful illumination of St. John’s fortress:
And this is Budva waiting for the New Year:
If you prefer active rest, consider combining the winter holiday season on the Adriatic coast with a visit to ski resorts. The most popular ski resorts include Kolašin 1450/Kolašin 1600, near Kolašin, and Savin Kuk, near Žabljak (Durmitor National Park). It is fantastic to see the change from the warm winter of the Adriatic coast to the snowy mountains.
Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600 are Montenegro’s premier ski resorts, nestled in the breathtaking Bjelasica Mountain range near the town of Kolašin. These two interconnected resorts offer a combined network of modern ski slopes, catering to both beginners and advanced skiers. Kolašin 1450, the older and more established of the two, is known for its cozy mountain lodges, traditional Montenegrin hospitality, and easy access to scenic forest trails. Kolašin 1600, on the other hand, features newer infrastructure, high-speed lifts, and panoramic views stretching across mountain landscapes. More information about Kolašin 1600, including weather and current prices, is here: Kolašin 1600 – skijalista.me
Savin Kuk, the ski resort in northern Montenegro, lies on the slopes of the majestic Durmitor Mountain near the town of Žabljak — the highest urban settlement in the Balkans. Savin Kuk caters to all skill levels, with slopes ranging from gentle descents to challenging routes. Beyond skiing, winter in Durmitor and Žabljak transforms the area into a snowy paradise ideal for snowshoeing, hiking, or simply relaxing in cozy mountain lodges.