VUKOVAR REMEMBRANCE DAY
18 NOVEMBER 2026
On 18 November 2026 Vukovar marks the 35th anniversary of the fall of the city. The main programme starts at 8 a.m., the Column of Remembrance sets off at 10:30, and the day ends with the River of Light at 5 p.m. and the Bells for Vukovar at 6:11 p.m. The full commemorative programme runs from 6 to 21 November 2026 under the motto “Courage – Sacrifice – Freedom”.
Programme for 18 November 2026
| 08:00 | Path of Remembrance and Light Primary school pupils of Vukovar light candles |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | “Courage – Sacrifice – Freedom” Commemorative programme, “Dr. Juraj Njavro” National Memorial Hospital |
| 10:30 | Way of the Cross – Column of Remembrance The column is led by Croatian defenders of Vukovar with family members of the killed and missing and staff of the 1991 Vukovar War Hospital |
| 12:30 | The column arrives at the Memorial Cemetery Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War; roses laid for killed defenders and civilians |
| 12:45 | Paying respects Memorial at the Memorial Cemetery; wreath-laying |
| 13:00 | Holy Mass for all victims of the Homeland War Memorial Cemetery |
| 17:00 | River of Light of Remembrance Lanterns released on the Danube in memory of the killed and missing defenders of Vukovar |
| 18:11 | Bells for Vukovar Church bells ring in remembrance of the sacrifice of Vukovar |
What to know before you go
Remembrance Day for the victims of the Homeland War and the victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja is a public holiday in Croatia. Tens of thousands of people come to Vukovar every year, so it is worth planning ahead:
- Arrive early and expect crowds, especially around the Column of Remembrance and the Memorial Cemetery.
- Check notices from the City of Vukovar and the police about traffic and parking before you travel.
- Arrange accommodation and transport in advance.
- Dress for the weather; much of the day is spent outdoors.
Other days of the programme
From 6 to 21 November there are lectures, exhibitions, film screenings and commemorations, including in Borovo naselje, at the Velepromet site and at Ovčara. See the official programme of the City of Vukovar for the full schedule.
Visiting the places of remembrance with a guide
If you want to understand the places you will see, you can arrange a private Hero City tour before or after the anniversary. On the day of the commemoration the sites are crowded and not suited to regular guiding, so I recommend another date.
Programme source: the official “Remembrance Day for the Sacrifice of Vukovar 1991–2026” programme (City of Vukovar), published in 2026. The schedule may change, so check the City of Vukovar’s official pages. Last updated: 2 November 2026.
Interested in a
guided tour of Vukovar?
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