Calendar 2026
All other festivals displayed above are either Central Government Gazetted/Restricted holidays or state-specific. Please note: Islamic festivals may shift by one day depending on the sighting of the moon. The dates shown are the most likely dates for 2026-2027.
Comprehensive Guide to the 2026 Calendar: Holidays, Festivals & Dates
Welcome to your ultimate resource for the 2026 calendar year. Whether you’re planning your vacations, scheduling auspicious events, or simply keeping track of bank holidays, having an accurate 2026 calendar is essential. Below, we provide you with comprehensive information on all the major Indian festivals, long weekends, and public holidays to help you plan your year effectively.
2026 calendar with holidays
Major Highlights of the 2026 Calendar
The year 2026 is a standard year consisting of 365 days, as it is not a leap year. The year begins on a Thursday (January 1) and ends on a Thursday (December 31).
For those planning ahead, 2026 is notable because several major festivals coincide with weekends, creating excellent opportunities for short trips. Key highlights include Republic Day falling on a Monday, ensuring an immediate long weekend at the start of the year. Additionally, major festivals like Diwali will be celebrated in early November, while the colours of Holi will be played in early March.
Long Weekends in 2026 calendar: Plan Your Vacations
Smart planning is the key to work-life balance. In 2026, there are several instances where a gazetted holiday connects with the weekend, giving you extended time off without burning your paid leave.
The verified list of long weekends in 2026 is given in the image below:
Complete List of Indian Festivals and Holidays 2026 Calendar Year
To help you track every celebration, here is a categorised list of major 2026 holidays. These dates are calculated based on the Indian National Calendar and lunar sightings.
Gazetted Holidays (National)
- Republic Day: January 26 (Monday)
- Independence Day: August 15 (Saturday)
- Gandhi Jayanti: October 2 (Friday)
Major Religious Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri: February 15 (Sunday)
- Holi: March 4 (Wednesday)
- Ram Navami: March 26 (Thursday)
- Mahavir Jayanti: March 31 (Tuesday)
- Good Friday: April 3 (Friday)
- Eid-ul-Fitr (Tentative): March 21 (Saturday)
- Buddha Purnima: May 1 (Friday)
- Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid): May 27 (Wednesday)
- Janmashtami: September 4 (Friday)
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami): October 20 (Tuesday)
- Diwali (Deepavali): November 8 (Sunday)
- Guru Nanak Jayanti: November 24 (Tuesday)
- Christmas: December 25 (Friday)
Shubh Muhurat 2026 Calendar Year: Wedding & Auspicious Dates
If you are planning a wedding or a housewarming (Griha Pravesh) in 2026, timing is everything. According to the Hindu Panchang, the 2026 wedding season is divided into two primary phases.
- Early Year (January – March): The start of 2026 sees a high density of auspicious Lagna dates, particularly after Makar Sankranti (January 14), when the sun enters Capricorn (Uttarayan).
- Mid-Year Break (Chaturmas): From mid-July to October, auspicious ceremonies are generally paused as Lord Vishnu is believed to enter a state of yogic sleep.
- End Year (November – December): The wedding season resumes with full vigour post-Dev Uthani Ekadashi in November 2026.
Note: Always consult your local priest or astrologer for precise muhurats based on your specific horoscope.
Bank Holidays 2026 Calendar Year (RBI Guidelines)
For financial planning, it is crucial to know when banks are closed. In India, banks remain closed on all gazetted holidays, every Sunday, and specifically on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month.
2nd & 4th Saturdays in 2026:
- January: 10th & 24th
- February: 14th & 28th
- March: 14th & 28th
- April: 11th & 25th
- May: 9th & 23rd
- June: 13th & 27th
- July: 11th & 25th
- August: 8th & 22nd
- September: 12th & 26th
- October: 10th & 24th
- November: 14th & 28th
- December: 12th & 26th
Hindu Vikram Samvat Calendar 2026
The Gregorian year 2026 overlaps with the traditional Hindu Vikram Samvat years.
- Up until mid-March 2026, the year corresponds to Vikram Samvat 2082.
- From Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (approx. March 19, 2026), the new Hindu year Vikram Samvat 2083 begins.
This transition marks the festival of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, 2026 is not a leap year. It has 365 days, and February has 28 days. The next leap year will be 2028.
In 2026, the festival of lights, Diwali, will be celebrated on November 8, which falls on a Sunday.
The year 2026 begins on a Thursday (January 1).
Nationally mandated dry days occur on Republic Day (Jan 26), Independence Day (Aug 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2). Other dry days vary by state based on elections and local festivals.