Indian Holidays and Festivals: A Guide to the Calendar
Understand India’s national, gazetted, restricted and regional holidays, with respectful guides to Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas and practical planning.
10 min readIndia holiday calendar
Public holidays in India 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every India public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 14
- Regional dates
- 1
- Observances
- 1
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in India
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our India calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. March and November are the busiest months, with 3 listed dates.
India holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 16 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic DayIndia’s January 26 national holiday, commemorating the 1950 entry into force of the Constitution and the birth of the republic. | Public holiday | — | |
| HoliIndia’s spring festival of colours, widely celebrated while government, bank and workplace closure status varies by jurisdiction and institution. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Eid al-FitrA compulsory central-government holiday at Ramadan’s close, centred on Eid prayer, hospitality, charity and family visiting across diverse Indian communities. | Public holiday | — | |
| Mahavir JayantiA compulsory central-government holiday honouring Mahavira through Jain worship, teaching, non-violence, charity and community service. | Public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayA compulsory central-government holiday at the solemn centre of Christian Holy Week, marked by services across India’s varied churches. | Public holiday | — | |
| Buddha PurnimaA compulsory central-government holiday commemorating the Buddha, observed through pilgrimage, meditation, teaching and compassionate action. | Public holiday | — | |
| Eid al-AdhaA compulsory central-government holiday during the Feast of Sacrifice, marked by prayer, lawful charitable sharing and family hospitality. | Public holiday | — | |
| MuharramA compulsory central-government holiday connected with Ashura, whose remembrance, reflection and public forms differ among Indian Muslim communities. | Public holiday | — | |
| Independence DayIndia’s August 15 national holiday commemorating independence in 1947, marked by flag-hoisting, public addresses and civic celebration. | Public holiday | — | |
| Milad-un-NabiA compulsory central-government holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, observed diversely through learning, devotion, charity or quiet reflection. | Public holiday | — | |
| Gandhi JayantiIndia’s October 2 national holiday honouring Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and reflecting on non-violence, civic responsibility and public service. | Public holiday | — | |
| DussehraA compulsory central-government holiday for Dussehra, while Vijayadashami, Durga Puja and regional Dasara traditions follow distinct local forms. | Public holiday | — | |
| DiwaliA compulsory central-government holiday for the Festival of Lights, celebrated through lamps, prayer, family hospitality and community-specific meanings. | Public holiday | — | |
| Guru Nanak GurpurabA compulsory central-government holiday commemorating Guru Nanak through scripture, kirtan, service, processions and the shared meal of langar. | Public holiday | — | |
| Constitution DayA November 26 national observance commemorating the adoption of India’s Constitution in 1949; it is not a separate nationwide public holiday. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Christmas DayA compulsory central-government holiday celebrating Christmas through worship, music, family meals and regionally distinctive Christian traditions. | Public holiday | — |
Stories behind the dates
Understand India holidays and traditions
Go beyond the calendar with editorial guides to public-holiday rules, historical context and the ways people observe important dates.
Sources for India holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- indiapost.gov.inPrimary calendar source
- incredibleindia.gov.inPrimary calendar source
- indianculture.gov.inPrimary calendar source