Hindu Festivals 2026
The main Hindu festivals of 2026 with date and weekday, taken from the official holiday lists of the Government of India. The box at the top counts down to the next festival.
Source: Government of India, DoPT – holidays 2026 (restricted holidays list, O.M. 12/2/2023-JCA). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Key dates in 2026
Holi falls on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, Janmashtami on Friday, 4 September 2026, Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 and Diwali on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Where the dates come from
Hindu festivals follow the lunisolar calendar: a festival falls on a particular tithi (lunar day), and which civil day that is depends on the time of sunrise at a place. This page does not calculate its own panchang. It lists the dates the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) notifies for central government offices – gazetted holidays (offices closed) and restricted holidays (optional).
Limits
States, regional traditions and temples abroad (for example in the US or UK) can observe a festival one day earlier or later. Festivals start at different times of day; puja muhurat times are not covered.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali 2026?
On Sunday, 8 November 2026 according to the Government of India holiday list. Some states observe Naraka Chaturdashi, the day before, as the holiday.
When is Holi 2026?
Holi is on Wednesday, 4 March 2026; Holika Dahan is the evening before.
When is Janmashtami 2026?
On Friday, 4 September 2026 (gazetted holiday in Delhi).
Why do Hindu festival dates change every year?
They follow lunar months that are kept in step with the solar year by an extra month every two to three years. In the Gregorian calendar they therefore move by up to about three weeks.
Sources and legal basis
- Government of India, DoPT – holidays 2026 (restricted holidays list, O.M. 12/2/2023-JCA)
- Central government holiday list with gazetted holidays (reprint of the DoPT O.M.)
As of:
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