Kerala Holidays 2026
Every 2026 holiday in Kerala on one page: state government public and restricted holidays, bank holidays, central government and school holidays.
How holidays work in Kerala
Three lists decide who gets a day off in Kerala. The state government notifies its own list every year, usually in November or December for the following year. For 2026 it has 27 public holidays on which state government offices are closed, and 3 restricted holidays, from which each employee may take only a small number.
Banks follow the Reserve Bank of India list for its Thiruvananthapuram office: 23 bank holidays in 2026, on top of every Sunday and the second and fourth Saturday of each month. A bank holiday also stops cheque clearing, so payments due that day move to the next working day.
Central government offices in Kerala follow the national list of the Department of Personnel and Training: 14 compulsory holidays for the whole country, three more chosen for each state by the central government employees' coordination committee in its capital, and two restricted holidays of each employee's choice. Schools follow the education department's own calendar, which adds summer and winter vacations.
4 of this year's state holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, so no extra day off is given for them. Dates of Muslim festivals depend on the sighting of the moon and can move by a day; the government announces any change a day or two before.
List of holidays in Kerala 2026
"Closed" shows who gets the day off. Gazetted means the state or central government offices close; restricted holidays are optional days for state government staff.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Closed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jan 2026 | Friday | Mannam Jayanthi | Gazetted | |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday |  Republic Day |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Sunday |  Maha Shivratri |
Gazetted | |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Tuesday |  Dol Jatra |
Bank holiday | |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Wednesday | Ayya Vaikunda Swami Jayanti | Restricted | |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Friday | Eid-ul-Fitrmoon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitrmoon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Tuesday |  Mahavir Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Annual closing of bank accounts | Bank holiday | |
| 2 Apr 2026 | Thursday |  Maundy Thursday |
Gazetted | |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday |  Good Friday |
Gazetted | |
| 5 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Easter | Gazetted | |
| 9 Apr 2026 | Thursday | General Election to Kerala Legislative Assembly 2026 | Bank holiday | |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday |  Ambedkar Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Wednesday |  Vishu |
Gazetted | |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday |  May Day (Labour Day) /  Buddha Purnima |
Gazetted | |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 28 May 2026 | Thursday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) | Gazetted | |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Thursday | Muharram (Ashura)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 26 Jun 2026 | Friday | Muharram (Ashura)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 12 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Karkidaka Vavu | Gazetted | |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday |  Independence Day |
Gazetted | |
| 25 Aug 2026 | Tuesday |  Onam / Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad)moon sighting |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Onam / Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad)moon sighting |
Gazetted | |
| 27 Aug 2026 | Thursday | Onam |
Gazetted | |
| 28 Aug 2026 | Friday | Onam |
Gazetted | |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Friday |  Janmashtami |
Gazetted | |
| 17 Sep 2026 | Thursday |  Vishwakarma Puja |
Restricted | |
| 21 Sep 2026 | Monday | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day / Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi | Gazetted | |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Friday |  Gandhi Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday |  Maha Navami /  Dussehra |
Gazetted | |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday | Dussehra |
Gazetted | |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Sunday |  Diwali |
Gazetted | |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Tuesday |  Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday |  Christmas |
Gazetted |
Bank holidays in Kerala 2026
Under the RBI rule in force since September 2015, all banks close on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. They are shown below with the RBI holidays for Thiruvananthapuram. Online banking, UPI and ATMs keep working on bank holidays. See the full bank holiday page.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jan 2026 | Friday | New Year Celebration/Mannam Jayanthi |
| 10 Jan 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 24 Jan 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday | Republic Day |
| 14 Feb 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 28 Feb 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Dol Jatra |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Friday | Eid-ul-Fitr |
| 28 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Annual closing of bank accounts |
| 2 Apr 2026 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 9 Apr 2026 | Thursday | General Election to Kerala Legislative Assembly 2026 |
| 11 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Ambedkar Jayanti |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Vishu |
| 25 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | May Day (Labour Day) |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 23 May 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| 28 May 2026 | Thursday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| 13 Jun 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 27 Jun 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 11 Jul 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 25 Jul 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 8 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| 22 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 25 Aug 2026 | Tuesday | Onam / Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad) |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Onam |
| 28 Aug 2026 | Friday | Onam |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 21 Sep 2026 | Monday | Janmotsav of Srimanta Sankardeva/Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi |
| 26 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Maha Navami |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday | Dussehra |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 14 Nov 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 28 Nov 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 12 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
Major festivals in Kerala in 2026
- Republic Day Monday, 26 January 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Republic Day marks the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into force and the country became a sovereign democratic republic with an elected head of state.
- Maha Shivratri Sunday, 15 February 2026 · State Govt closed Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Lord Shiva, marked by fasting, abhishek of the Shiva lingam and an all night vigil of prayer and chanting.
- Eid-ul-Fitr Friday, 20 March 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Eid ul-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast at the end of Ramadan, marked by the Eid prayer, charity to the poor, new clothes, sweet seviyan and family visits.
- Mahavir Jayanti Tuesday, 31 March 2026 · Central Govt closed Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, whose teachings on non violence, truth and simple living guide Jains across the world.
- Good Friday Friday, 3 April 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Good Friday is the solemn day on which Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, observed with fasting, prayer and the Way of the Cross.
- Ambedkar Jayanti Tuesday, 14 April 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Ambedkar Jayanti on 14 April honours Dr B.R. Ambedkar, chief architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of equality, with tributes, processions and public events.
- Vishu Wednesday, 15 April 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Vishu is the Kerala new year festival, when families wake up to the Vishukkani, an auspicious display of fruit, gold and flowers, to begin the year with prosperity.
- Buddha Purnima Friday, 1 May 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, observed on the Vaishakha full moon with prayers, meditation, charity and lamps at viharas across India.
- Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) Wednesday, 27 May 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Eid ul-Adha, called Bakrid in India, honours the Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice for God and is marked with Eid prayers, animal sacrifice and sharing of meat with the poor.
- Independence Day Saturday, 15 August 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Independence Day marks the end of British rule on 15 August 1947, and in 2026 India celebrates its 80th Independence Day with flag hoisting across the country.
- Onam Tuesday, 25 August 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Onam is Kerala's harvest festival, celebrated over ten days in the month of Chingam to welcome the legendary King Mahabali, with flower carpets, boat races and the grand Onasadya feast.
- Gandhi Jayanti Friday, 2 October 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's freedom struggle and the voice of truth and non-violence.
- Dussehra Tuesday, 20 October 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura.
- Diwali Sunday, 8 November 2026 · State Govt, Central Govt closed Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with Lakshmi Puja, rows of diyas, sweets and family gatherings on the new moon night of Kartik.
- Guru Nanak Jayanti Tuesday, 24 November 2026 · Central Govt closed Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, nagar kirtans, langar and lit up gurdwaras.
- Christmas Friday, 25 December 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt closed Christmas on 25 December celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with midnight Mass, carols, decorated trees, cribs, plum cake and sharing with the poor.
Holidays month by month
Organisations in Kerala
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in Kerala in 2026?
The Kerala government has notified 27 public holidays for 2026 on which its offices are closed, plus 3 restricted holidays from which employees choose a limited number.
How many bank holidays are there in Kerala in 2026?
Banks in Kerala are closed on 23 holidays in 2026 under the RBI list for its Thiruvananthapuram office, in addition to all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Are banks in Kerala closed on Saturdays?
Banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. They work on the first, third and fifth Saturdays unless that day is a holiday.
What is the next holiday in Kerala?
The next holiday is Maha Navami / Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, when state govt, bank, central govt offices are closed.
Is Republic Day a holiday in Kerala in 2026?
Yes. Republic Day falls on Monday, 26 January 2026 and is a holiday for state govt, bank, central govt offices in Kerala.
Is Maha Shivratri a holiday in Kerala in 2026?
Yes. Maha Shivratri falls on Sunday, 15 February 2026 and is a holiday for state govt offices in Kerala.
Next 60 days in Kerala
-
20 OctTue
Dussehra
-
20 OctTue
Maha Navami
-
21 OctWed
Dussehra
-
8 NovSun
Diwali
-
24 NovTue
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Public holidays in Kerala (bank, central government, state government and school lists) and major festivals across India. Restricted and minor days are left out.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2
Friday, 2 October Gandhi Jayanti Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's freedom struggle and the voice of truth and non-violence. |
3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Sunday, 11 October Sharad Navratri Sharad Navratri is the nine night autumn festival of the Goddess Durga, beginning with Ghatasthapana and leading up to Dussehra, with fasting, prayer, garba... |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17
Saturday, 17 October Durga Puja Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura with grand pandals, dhak drums, prayers and feasts, especially in West Bengal and ea... |
18 |
| 19 | 20
Tuesday, 20 October Dussehra / Maha Navami Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura. |
21
Wednesday, 21 October Dussehra Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura. |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Sunday, 8 November Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with Lakshmi Puja, rows of diyas, sweets and family gatherings on the new moon... |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
Sunday, 15 November Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is a four day festival of Bihar and eastern India in which devotees fast and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in water. |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24
Tuesday, 24 November Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, nagar kirtans, langar and lit up gurdw... |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 |
Public holiday Major festival Today
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja - Tue, 20 Oct
Dussehra / Maha Navami
- Wed, 21 Oct
Dussehra
- Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali
- Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja - Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti