As 2026 approaches, citizens across India are already planning their calendars, factoring in public holidays, festivals, and key observances. While the dates below are expected to be observed nationwide, the exact holiday schedule may vary by state, with schools, offices, banks, and local authorities issuing official notifications. Here’s a month-wise guide to important public holidays in 2026:

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January 2026

• January 1, Thursday – New Year’s Day
• January 3, Saturday – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday
• January 14, Wednesday – Pongal / Makara Sankranti
• January 23, Friday – Vasant Panchami
• January 26, Monday – Republic Day

February 2026

• February 1, Sunday – Guru Ravidas Jayanti
• February 12, Thursday – Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
• February 15, Sunday – Maha Shivaratri
• February 17, Tuesday – Lunar New Year
• February 19, Thursday – Ramadan Start (Tentative) / Shivaji Jayanti

March 2026

• March 3, Tuesday – Holika Dahana
• March 4, Wednesday – Holi
• March 19, Thursday – Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
• March 20, Friday – Jumat Ul-Vida / March Equinox
• March 21, Saturday – Ramzan Id (Tentative)
• March 26, Thursday – Rama Navami
• March 31, Tuesday – Mahavir Jayanti

April 2026

• April 2, Thursday – First Day of Passover
• April 3, Friday – Good Friday
• April 5, Sunday – Easter Sunday
• April 14, Tuesday – Vaisakhi / Ambedkar Jayanti
• April 15, Wednesday – Bohag Bihu / Vaisakhadi

May 2026

• May 1, Friday – International Workers’ Day / Buddha Purnima / Vaisakhadi
• May 9, Saturday – Birthday of Rabindranath Tagore
• May 27, Wednesday – Bakrid (Tentative)

June 2026

• June 26, Friday – Muharram / Ashura (Tentative)

July 2026

• July 16, Thursday – Rath Yatra

August 2026

• August 15, Saturday – Independence Day
• August 26, Wednesday – Milad-un-Nabi (Tentative) / Onam
• August 28, Friday – Raksha Bandhan

September 2026

• September 4, Friday – Janmashtami
• September 14, Monday – Ganesh Chaturthi

October 2026

• October 2, Friday – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
• October 11, Sunday – First Day of Sharad Navratri
• October 17, Saturday – First Day of Durga Puja Festivities
• October 18, Sunday – Maha Saptami
• October 19, Monday – Maha Ashtami
• October 20, Tuesday – Dussehra / Vijayadashami
• October 26, Monday – Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti
• October 29, Thursday – Karaka Chaturthi / Karva Chauth

November 2026

• November 8, Sunday – Naraka Chaturdashi
• November 9, Monday – Govardhan Puja
• November 11, Wednesday – Bhai Dooj
• November 15, Sunday – Chhat Puja
• November 24, Tuesday – Guru Nanak Jayanti / Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day

December 2026

• December 5, Saturday – First Day of Hanukkah
• December 12, Saturday – Last Day of Hanukkah
• December 22, Tuesday – December Solstice
• December 23, Wednesday – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday
• December 25, Friday – Christmas

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This calendar covers major national festivals, religious observances, and statutory holidays likely to be observed across India. Tentative dates, particularly those based on lunar calendars such as Ramadan, Eid, Muharram, and other Islamic observances, may shift depending on moon sightings.

Keeping track of these dates helps in planning holidays, cultural celebrations, family events, and official work schedules well in advance.