Punjab Holidays 2026
Every 2026 holiday in Punjab on one page: state government public and restricted holidays, bank holidays, central government and school holidays.
How holidays work in Punjab
Three lists decide who gets a day off in Punjab. The state government notifies its own list every year, usually in November or December for the following year. For 2026 it has 30 public holidays on which state government offices are closed, and 27 restricted holidays, from which each employee may take only a small number.
Banks follow the Reserve Bank of India list for its Chandigarh office: 16 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 Punjab 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.
7 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. Some Punjab government dates below come from published copies of the notification and are marked so until we check them against the official order.
List of holidays in Punjab 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year Day | Restricted | |
| 13 Jan 2026 | Tuesday |  Lohri |
Restricted | |
| 17 Jan 2026 | Saturday | Nirvana Diwas of Bhagwan Adinath Ji | Restricted | |
| 23 Jan 2026 | Friday |  Basant Panchami |
Restricted | |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday |  Republic Day |
Gazetted | |
| 1 Feb 2026 | Sunday |  Guru Ravidas Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Sunday |  Maha Shivratri |
Gazetted | |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Wednesday |  Holi |
Gazetted | |
| 8 Mar 2026 | Sunday | International Women's Day | Restricted | |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitrmoon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 23 Mar 2026 | Monday | Shaheedi Diwas of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev & Rajguru Ji | Gazetted | |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Thursday |  Ram Navami |
Gazetted | |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Tuesday |  Mahavir Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Annual closing of bank accounts | Bank holiday | |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday |  Good Friday |
Gazetted | |
| 8 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Birthday of Sri Guru Nabha Dass Ji | Gazetted | |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday |  Vaisakhi /  Ambedkar Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 19 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Maharishi Parashuram's Jayanti | 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) | Bank holiday | |
| 18 Jun 2026 | Thursday | Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji's Martyrdom Day | Gazetted | |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Thursday | Nirjala Ekadashi | Restricted | |
| 26 Jun 2026 | Friday | Muharram (Ashura)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 29 Jun 2026 | Monday |  Kabir Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 31 Jul 2026 | Friday | Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Udham Singh | Gazetted | |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday |  Independence Day |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Friday |  Janmashtami |
Gazetted | |
| 5 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Birthday of Baba Jiwan Singh Ji | Restricted | |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Saturday | First Parkash Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji / Saragarhi Day | Restricted | |
| 15 Sep 2026 | Tuesday | Samvatsari Day | Restricted | |
| 20 Sep 2026 | Sunday | Birthday of Baba Sri Chand Ji | Restricted | |
| 25 Sep 2026 | Friday |  Anant Chaturdashi |
Restricted | |
| 28 Sep 2026 | Monday | Birthday of S. Bhagat Singh Ji | Restricted | |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Friday |  Gandhi Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 11 Oct 2026 | Sunday |  Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 16 Oct 2026 | Friday | Birthday of Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur | Restricted | |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday |  Dussehra /  Maha Navami |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Oct 2026 | Monday |  Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 27 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Parkash Gurpurab Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji | Restricted | |
| 29 Oct 2026 | Thursday |  Karva Chauth |
Restricted | |
| 1 Nov 2026 | Sunday | New Punjab Day | Restricted | |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Sunday |  Diwali |
Gazetted | |
| 9 Nov 2026 | Monday |  Vishwakarma Puja /  Govardhan Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wednesday | Gurgaddi Diwas Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji | Restricted | |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Sunday |  Chhath Puja |
Restricted | |
| 16 Nov 2026 | Monday | Martyrdom Day of Shri Kartar Singh Sarabha Ji | Gazetted | |
| 20 Nov 2026 | Friday | Birthday of Sant Namdev Ji | Restricted | |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Tuesday |  Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 14 Dec 2026 | Monday |  Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day |
Gazetted | |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday |  Christmas |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Saturday | Shaheedi Sabha, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib | Restricted | |
| 27 Dec 2026 | Sunday | Shaheedi Sabha, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib | Restricted | |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Monday | Shaheedi Sabha, Shri Fatehgarh Sahib | Gazetted |
Bank holidays in Punjab 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 Chandigarh. Online banking, UPI and ATMs keep working on bank holidays. See the full bank holiday page.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Wednesday | Holi |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Thursday | Ram Navami |
| 28 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Annual closing of bank accounts |
| 11 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Ambedkar Jayanti / Vaisakhi |
| 25 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | May Day (Labour Day) / Buddha Purnima |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 23 May 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 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 |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 26 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Maha Navami |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 26 Oct 2026 | Monday | Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti |
| 9 Nov 2026 | Monday | Vishwakarma Puja / Govardhan Puja |
| 14 Nov 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 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 Punjab in 2026
- Lohri Tuesday, 13 January 2026 Lohri is a Punjabi winter festival of bonfires, folk songs and sweets of til and gur, held on the night before Makar Sankranti to mark the end of the coldest days.
- 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.
- Holi Wednesday, 4 March 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Holi is the Hindu spring festival of colours, beginning with the Holika Dahan bonfire on Phalguna Purnima and followed by a day of playing with colour and water.
- Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday, 21 March 2026 · State Govt, Bank, Central Govt 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 · State Govt, 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, 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.
- Vaisakhi Tuesday, 14 April 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Vaisakhi is the spring harvest festival of Punjab and the day Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib.
- 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, 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.
- 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 · State Govt, Bank, 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 Punjab
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in Punjab in 2026?
The Punjab government has notified 30 public holidays for 2026 on which its offices are closed, plus 27 restricted holidays from which employees choose a limited number. Part of this list is taken from published copies of the notification and will be checked against the official order.
How many bank holidays are there in Punjab in 2026?
Banks in Punjab are closed on 16 holidays in 2026 under the RBI list for its Chandigarh office, in addition to all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Are banks in Punjab 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 Punjab?
The next holiday is Dussehra / Maha Navami on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, when state govt, bank, central govt offices are closed.
Is Republic Day a holiday in Punjab in 2026?
Yes. Republic Day falls on Monday, 26 January 2026 and is a holiday for state govt, bank, central govt offices in Punjab.
Is Maha Shivratri a holiday in Punjab in 2026?
Yes. Maha Shivratri falls on Sunday, 15 February 2026 and is a holiday for state govt offices in Punjab.
Next 60 days in Punjab
-
20 OctTue
Dussehra
-
20 OctTue
Maha Navami
-
26 OctMon
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
-
26 OctMon
Sharad Purnima / Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
-
8 NovSun
Diwali
-
9 NovMon
Lakshmi Puja / Vishwakarma Puja / Govardhan Puja
-
9 NovMon
Vishwakarma Puja
- 16 NovMon Martyrdom Day of Shri Kartar Singh Sarabha Ji
-
24 NovTue
Guru Nanak Jayanti
-
24 NovTue
Guru Nanak Jayanti /
Kartik Purnima
Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Public holidays in Punjab (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 Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti marks the birth of the legendary king of Agroha, honoured by the Agrawal community as its forefather, on the first day of Sharad Nav... 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 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26
Monday, 26 October Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti / Sharad Purnima Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti: Valmiki Jayanti honours Maharishi Valmiki, the sage revered as the first poet of Sanskrit and the author of the Ramayana, on the full moon of Ashvin. Sharad Purnima: Sharad Purnima is the bright full moon of Ashwin, when families keep kheer under moonlight, worship Goddess Lakshmi through the night and remember Krishna's... |
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
Monday, 9 November Lakshmi Puja / Vishwakarma Puja / Govardhan Puja Govardhan Puja, also called Annakut, recalls little Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter Braj from Indra's storm, and is marked with a mountain of food... |
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
Monday, 16 November Martyrdom Day of Shri Kartar Singh Sarabha Ji |
17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24
Tuesday, 24 November Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima 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... Kartik Purnima: Kartik Purnima is the full moon of Kartik, when devotees bathe in holy rivers, offer lamps and celebrate Dev Deepawali, the night Lord Shiva as Tripurari des... |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 |
Public holiday Major festival Today
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja - Tue, 20 Oct
Dussehra / Maha Navami
- Mon, 26 Oct
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti / Sharad Purnima
- Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali
- Mon, 9 Nov
Lakshmi Puja / Vishwakarma Puja / Govardhan Puja
- Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja
- Mon, 16 Nov Martyrdom Day of Shri Kartar Singh Sarabha Ji
- Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima