Croatians begin ringing in the New Year

Croatians across the country began welcoming the New Year early on Tuesday, with festive daytime celebrations marking the final hours of 2025.

One of the most popular events took place in Fužine, in the heart of Gorski Kotar, where families gathered for the town’s traditional noon-time New Year’s celebration, known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

In Vukovar, the mood was equally optimistic, with residents looking ahead to 2026. As in many parts of the country, the overwhelming wish voiced by locals was simple: good health and happiness for themselves and their loved ones.

Meanwhile, in Osijek, a handful of brave participants upheld a long-standing New Year’s Eve tradition by diving into the icy waters of the Drava River at noon. The event was founded decades ago by the late humanitarian Duško Rudež and has since become a distinctive symbol of the city’s New Year celebrations.

As the country prepares to ring in 2026 at midnight, messages of goodwill also came from state leaders. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković extended his New Year’s wishes to citizens across Croatia, while Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković offered greetings to Croats at home and abroad, wishing them health, success and prosperity in the year ahead.

With celebrations already in full swing, Croatia is counting down the final hours of 2025 in a spirit of tradition, optimism and community.