West Bengal Holidays 2026
Every 2026 holiday in West Bengal on one page: state government public and restricted holidays, bank holidays, central government and school holidays.
How holidays work in West Bengal
Three lists decide who gets a day off in West Bengal. The state government notifies its own list every year, usually in November or December for the following year. For 2026 it has 56 public holidays on which state government offices are closed.
Banks follow the Reserve Bank of India list for its Kolkata office: 28 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 West Bengal 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.
14 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 West Bengal 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's Day |
Gazetted | |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Monday | Swami Vivekananda Jayanti | Gazetted | |
| 22 Jan 2026 | Thursday | Day before Saraswati Puja | Gazetted | |
| 23 Jan 2026 | Friday |  Basant Panchami |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday |  Republic Day |
Gazetted | |
| 1 Feb 2026 | Sunday |  Guru Ravidas Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 4 Feb 2026 | Wednesday | Shab-e-Baratmoon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 14 Feb 2026 | Saturday | Thakur Panchanan Barma Jayanti | Gazetted | |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Sunday |  Maha Shivratri |
Gazetted | |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Tuesday |  Dol Jatra |
Gazetted | |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Wednesday |  Holi / Dol Jatra |
Gazetted | |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Harichand Thakur Jayanti | Gazetted | |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Friday | Eid-ul-Fitrmoon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitrmoon sighting | 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 | |
| 4 Apr 2026 | Saturday |  Holy Saturday (Easter Saturday) |
Gazetted | |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday |  Ambedkar Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Wednesday |  Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) |
Gazetted | |
| 29 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | General Elections to West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2026 | Bank holiday | |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday |  May Day (Labour Day) /  Buddha Purnima |
Gazetted | |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday |  Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 27 May 2026 | Wednesday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 28 May 2026 | Thursday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) | Gazetted | |
| 26 Jun 2026 | Friday | Muharram (Ashura)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Tuesday | Hul Diwas | Gazetted | |
| 6 Jul 2026 | Monday | MHIP Day/Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee | Bank holiday | |
| 13 Jul 2026 | Monday | Bhanubhakta Jayanti | Gazetted | |
| 16 Jul 2026 | Thursday |  Rath Yatra |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday |  Independence Day |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad)moon sighting | Gazetted | |
| 28 Aug 2026 | Friday |  Raksha Bandhan |
Gazetted | |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Friday |  Janmashtami |
Gazetted | |
| 18 Sep 2026 | Friday |  Vishwakarma Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 22 Sep 2026 | Tuesday | Karam Puja | Gazetted | |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Friday |  Gandhi Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 10 Oct 2026 | Saturday |  Mahalaya Amavasya |
Gazetted | |
| 15 Oct 2026 | Thursday |  Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 16 Oct 2026 | Friday | Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 17 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 18 Oct 2026 | Sunday | Durga Puja /  Durga Puja (Maha Saptami) |
Gazetted | |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Monday | Durga Puja /  Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) |
Gazetted | |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Durga Puja /  Maha Navami /  Dussehra |
Gazetted | |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday | Durga Puja / Dussehra |
Gazetted | |
| 22 Oct 2026 | Thursday | Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 23 Oct 2026 | Friday | Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Durga Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 25 Oct 2026 | Sunday |  Sharad Purnima |
Gazetted | |
| 26 Oct 2026 | Monday | Sharad Purnima |
Gazetted | |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Sunday |  Diwali |
Gazetted | |
| 9 Nov 2026 | Monday | Kali Puja (additional day 1) | Gazetted | |
| 10 Nov 2026 | Tuesday | Kali Puja (additional day 2) | Gazetted | |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wednesday |  Lakshmi Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 12 Nov 2026 | Thursday | Day after Bhai Phonta | Gazetted | |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Sunday |  Chhath Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 16 Nov 2026 | Monday | Chhath Puja |
Gazetted | |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Tuesday |  Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Gazetted | |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday |  Christmas |
Gazetted |
Bank holidays in West Bengal 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 Kolkata. Online banking, UPI and ATMs keep working on bank holidays. See the full bank holiday page.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 10 Jan 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 12 Jan 2026 | Monday | Birth Day of Swami Vivekananda |
| 23 Jan 2026 | Friday | Basant Panchami |
| 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 |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Thursday | Ram Navami |
| 28 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti |
| 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Annual closing of bank accounts |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 11 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Ambedkar Jayanti |
| 15 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) |
| 25 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 29 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | General Elections to West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2026 |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Buddha Purnima / May Day (Labour Day) |
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday | Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti |
| 23 May 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 28 May 2026 | Thursday | Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) |
| 13 Jun 2026 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
| 26 Jun 2026 | Friday | Muharram (Ashura) |
| 27 Jun 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 6 Jul 2026 | Monday | MHIP Day/Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee |
| 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 | Mahalaya Amavasya |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Monday | Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Maha Navami |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday | Dussehra |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wednesday | Lakshmi 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 West Bengal 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.
- Dol Jatra Tuesday, 3 March 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed
- Holi Wednesday, 4 March 2026 · State Govt 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 Friday, 20 March 2026 · State 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, Bank, 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.
- Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) Wednesday, 15 April 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed Poila Baisakh is the first day of the Bengali year, welcomed with new red ledgers in shops, dawn processions, Tagore songs, new clothes and a festive meal of fish and sweets.
- 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.
- Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti Saturday, 9 May 2026 · State Govt, Bank closed The birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel-winning poet who wrote India's national anthem, celebrated with songs, poetry and dance on 25 Boishakh.
- Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) Wednesday, 27 May 2026 · 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.
- Durga Puja Thursday, 15 October 2026 · State Govt closed Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura with grand pandals, dhak drums, prayers and feasts, especially in West Bengal and eastern India.
- Durga Puja (Maha Saptami) Sunday, 18 October 2026 · State Govt closed Maha Saptami is the first main day of Durga Puja, when the Kola Bou is bathed at dawn and Goddess Durga is formally invoked into the idol in pandals across eastern India.
- 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.
Holidays month by month
Organisations in West Bengal
- CIL holidays (not published)
- National Insurance holidays (not published)
- West Bengal Govt holidays
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in West Bengal in 2026?
The West Bengal government has notified 56 public holidays for 2026 on which its offices are closed.
How many bank holidays are there in West Bengal in 2026?
Banks in West Bengal are closed on 28 holidays in 2026 under the RBI list for its Kolkata office, in addition to all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Are banks in West Bengal 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 West Bengal?
The next holiday is Durga Puja on Thursday, 15 October 2026, when state govt offices are closed.
Is Republic Day a holiday in West Bengal in 2026?
Yes. Republic Day falls on Monday, 26 January 2026 and is a holiday for state govt, bank, central govt offices in West Bengal.
Is Dol Jatra a holiday in West Bengal in 2026?
Yes. Dol Jatra falls on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 and is a holiday for state govt, bank offices in West Bengal.
Next 60 days in West Bengal
-
15 OctThu
Durga Puja
-
16 OctFri
Durga Puja
-
17 OctSat
Durga Puja
-
18 OctSun
Durga Puja / Durga Puja (Maha Saptami)
-
19 OctMon
Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)
-
19 OctMon
Durga Puja / Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami)
-
20 OctTue
Durga Puja / Maha Navami
-
20 OctTue
Dussehra
-
20 OctTue
Maha Navami
-
21 OctWed
Durga Puja / Dussehra
-
21 OctWed
Dussehra
-
22 OctThu
Durga Puja
-
23 OctFri
Durga Puja
-
24 OctSat
Durga Puja
-
25 OctSun
Sharad Purnima
Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Public holidays in West Bengal (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
Saturday, 10 October Mahalaya Amavasya Mahalaya Amavasya is the last day of Pitru Paksha, when Hindus offer tarpan and shraddha to their ancestors, and in Bengal it marks the start of Devi Paksha... |
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
Thursday, 15 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... |
16
Friday, 16 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... |
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
Sunday, 18 October Durga Puja / Durga Puja (Maha Saptami) 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... Durga Puja (Maha Saptami): Maha Saptami is the first main day of Durga Puja, when the Kola Bou is bathed at dawn and Goddess Durga is formally invoked into the idol in pandals across e... |
| 19
Monday, 19 October Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) / Durga Puja Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami): Maha Ashtami is the eighth and most powerful day of Sharad Navratri and Durga Puja, marked by worship of Goddess Durga, Sandhi Puja and Kanya Pujan. 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... |
20
Tuesday, 20 October Durga Puja / Maha Navami / Dussehra 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... 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. |
21
Wednesday, 21 October Durga Puja / Dussehra 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... 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
Thursday, 22 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... |
23
Friday, 23 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... |
24
Saturday, 24 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... |
25
Sunday, 25 October 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... |
| 26
Monday, 26 October 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 Kali Puja (additional day 1) |
10
Tuesday, 10 November Kali Puja (additional day 2) |
11
Wednesday, 11 November Lakshmi Puja / Bhai Dooj / Bhai Phonta (Bhratri Dwitiya) Bhai Dooj closes the Diwali festival, as sisters apply tilak on their brothers' foreheads, feed them and pray for their long life, and brothers give gifts an... |
12
Thursday, 12 November Day after Bhai Phonta |
13 | 14 | 15
Sunday, 15 November Chhath Puja / Birsa Munda Jayanti 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 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. |
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
- Thu, 15 Oct
Durga Puja
- Fri, 16 Oct
Durga Puja
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja
- Sun, 18 Oct
Durga Puja / Durga Puja (Maha Saptami)
- Mon, 19 Oct
Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) / Durga Puja
- Tue, 20 Oct
Durga Puja / Maha Navami / Dussehra
- Wed, 21 Oct
Durga Puja / Dussehra
- Thu, 22 Oct
Durga Puja
- Fri, 23 Oct
Durga Puja
- Sat, 24 Oct
Durga Puja
- Sun, 25 Oct
Sharad Purnima
- Mon, 26 Oct
Sharad Purnima
- Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali
- Mon, 9 Nov Kali Puja (additional day 1)
- Tue, 10 Nov Kali Puja (additional day 2)
- Wed, 11 Nov
Lakshmi Puja /
Bhai Dooj / Bhai Phonta (Bhratri Dwitiya) - Thu, 12 Nov Day after Bhai Phonta
- Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja / Birsa Munda Jayanti
- Mon, 16 Nov
Chhath Puja
- Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti