2026 festivals calendar: When are Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Navratri and Chhath? Check full holiday list

In India, the year is not measured only by months but by moments. A kite in the January sky, colours in early spring, lamps glowing before winter, each season announces itself through a festival or a holiday. The festivals and public holidays lined up for 2026 show how the country pauses, celebrates and comes together in different ways. Some occasions are nationally marked and officially notified, while others live mainly in homes, temples and local streets. Here is a list of major festival and dates to be celebrated in India this year.

Major festivals in India, 2026

January 2026 festivals

January opens the year with harvest celebrations and the first signs of spring.

• Pongal – January 14
  
  
• Makar Sankranti – January 14
  
  
• Vasant Panchami – January 23
  
  

February 2026 festivals

The month remains quiet but spiritually significant for many devotees.

• Maha Shivaratri – February 15
  
  

March 2026 festivals

March is one of the busiest months, blending colours, new year traditions and religious events.

• Holi – March 4
  
  
• Ugadi – March 19
  
  
• Gudi Padwa – March 19
  
  
• Ramzan Id (Eid-ul-Fitr) – March 21 (tentative)
  
  
• Rama Navami – March 26
  
  
• Mahavir Jayanti – March 31
  
  

April 2026 festivals

April brings a mix of religious observances and regional new year celebrations.

• Good Friday – April 3
  
  
• Easter – April 5
  
  
• Vaisakhi – April 14
  
  
• Bohag Bihu – April 15
  
  

May 2026 festivals

The summer month includes important Buddhist and Islamic observances.

• Buddha Purnima – May 1
  
  
• Bakri Eid (Eid-ul-Adha) – May 27 (tentative)
  
  

July 2026 festivals

Mid-year sees major chariot festivals drawing large crowds.

• Rath Yatra – July 16
  
  

August 2026 festivals

August is packed with festivals cutting across regions and communities.

• Milad un-Nabi – August 26 (tentative)
  
  
• Onam – August 26
  
  
• Raksha Bandhan – August 28
  
  

September 2026 festivals

The festive mood continues with celebrations dedicated to gods and family traditions.

• Janmashtami – September 4
  
  
• Ganesh Chaturthi – September 14
  
  

October 2026 festivals

October marks major victory-of-good-over-evil celebrations.

• Dussehra – October 20
  
  

November 2026 festivals

One of the most festive months of the year lights up homes and cities.

• Diwali – November 8
  
  
• Chhath Puja – November 15
  
  
• Guru Nanak Jayanti – November 24
  
  

December 2026 festivals

The year ends on a festive and reflective note.

• Christmas – December 25
  
  

Public holidays and national observances, 2026

January 2026 public holidays

• New Year’s Day – January 1
  
  
• Republic Day – January 26
  
  

April 2026 public holidays

• Ambedkar Jayanti – April 14
  
  

May 2026 public holidays

• International Workers’ Day – May 1
  
  

August 2026 public holidays

• Independence Day – August 15
  
  

October 2026 public holidays

• Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti – October 2
  
  

December 2026 public holidays

• Christmas Eve – December 24
  
  
• New Year’s Eve – December 31

What this calendar shows

India’s festival calendar highlights shared traditions as well as strong regional diversity. While some festivals are celebrated across the country, others are deeply rooted in specific states or communities.

Holiday categories such as gazetted holidays, restricted holidays and observances may vary depending on state rules and local government decisions. Readers should check official state notifications and local announcements closer to the date to confirm final holiday schedules.