Večeras je Srpska nova godina: običaji koji prizivaju sreću

January 13, 2026

TL;DR

Serbian Orthodox New Year's Eve is celebrated tonight by the Julian calendar.
Known as Mali Božić, it signifies the end of the Christmas cycle and is a major winter family holiday.
Preparations include making doughnuts and preparing boiled wine and rakija.
In Belgrade, a moleban will be held at the Temple of Saint Sava, with a public celebration at Belgrade Waterfront featuring fireworks and drones.
Old customs involved family and neighborly gatherings, folk games, and celebrations lasting into the early morning.
During the Ottoman period, public celebrations were banned, but traditions continued within homes.
Folk beliefs suggest not sleeping on this night and serving warm rakija, mulled wine, and doughnuts.
A tradition of placing a gold coin in a doughnut for good luck was common in cities.
Mali Božić is celebrated as the symbolic closing of the festive cycle, with families gathering around a rich table featuring pečenica and other traditional dishes.
The Julian New Year is also celebrated in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, parts of Switzerland, and some Gaelic communities in Scotland.
In the Balkans, it is observed in Montenegro, Republika Srpska, North Macedonia, and Orthodox communities in Croatia.

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