India is often described as a country that never stops celebrating — and with good reason. With over 200 festivals observed across its 28 states and 8 union territories, India has more public holidays than almost any other nation on earth. The Indian festival calendar spans Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain celebrations, as well as national holidays, harvest festivals, and regional traditions that vary dramatically from state to state.
What makes the Indian festival calendar unique is not just its diversity but its emotional and social depth. Each festival carries centuries of mythology, ritual, food traditions, and community practices. A Diwali in Gujarat looks different from a Diwali in Bengal. An Eid in Lucknow is different from one in Kerala. This regional diversity is one of the most beautiful aspects of celebrating festivals in India. Below is a comprehensive list of major Indian festivals and public holidays for 2026, with dates, significance, and links to create personalised greeting cards for each occasion.
Note: Dates for festivals based on the Islamic lunar calendar (Eid, Muharram) are approximate and subject to moon sighting. Exact dates may vary by 1–2 days.
January 2026
New Year's Day
Celebrated globally — the start of the Gregorian new year. New Year cards →
Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan
Harvest festival marking the sun's northward journey (Uttarayana). Called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra and UP, and Uttarayan in Gujarat (famous for kite flying).
Lohri
Punjab and North Indian harvest festival celebrated with bonfires, bhangra, gidda, and distribution of rewri and til.
Republic Day 🇮🇳
India's Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950. Celebrated with the famous Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. Republic Day cards →
February–March 2026
Maha Shivratri
The Great Night of Lord Shiva. Observed with fasting, night-long vigil (jagran), and visits to Shiva temples across India.
Holi 🎨
The Festival of Colours — spring celebration with vibrant gulal, water guns, music, and sweets. Celebrated with exceptional energy in UP, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. Holi cards →
Ram Navami
Birthday of Lord Rama, ninth avatar of Vishnu. Observed with readings of the Ramayana, fasting, and temple processions.
Eid-ul-Fitr (approx.) 🌙
End of Ramadan — the most joyous Islamic festival, celebrated with communal prayers, feasting, Eidi, and charity. Eid cards →
April–June 2026
Baisakhi 🌾
Punjabi New Year and harvest festival, also commemorating the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh. Celebrated with bhangra, gidda, and langar at gurudwaras. Bihu cards →
Tamil New Year / Vishu
New Year celebrations in Tamil Nadu (Tamil Puthandu) and Kerala (Vishu). Vishu features the Vishukkani — an auspicious first sight of gold, flowers, and rice at dawn.
Mother's Day 💐
Second Sunday of May. A day to honour and celebrate mothers with gifts, flowers, and heartfelt greetings. Mother's Day cards →
Eid-ul-Adha (approx.) 🌙
Festival of Sacrifice — commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Observed with communal prayers, qurbani, and distribution of meat to family and those in need.
Father's Day 👨
Third Sunday of June. A day to honour fathers with gratitude, gifts, and quality time together. Father's Day cards →
July–September 2026
Janmashtami
Birthday of Lord Krishna, eighth avatar of Vishnu. Celebrated with midnight prayers, devotional music, dahi handi (human pyramid) competitions, and fasting.
Independence Day 🇮🇳
India's 79th Independence Day. Flag hoisting at Red Fort, PM's speech, parades in schools, kite flying, and patriotic celebrations nationwide. Independence Day cards →
Raksha Bandhan 🪢
Festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on brothers' wrists; brothers give gifts and promise protection. Raksha Bandhan cards →
Ganesh Chaturthi 🐘
Birthday of Lord Ganesha. A massive 10-day festival in Maharashtra featuring elaborate clay Ganesha idols installed in homes and public pandals, with immersion (visarjan) on the final day. Ganesh Chaturthi cards →
October–December 2026
Gandhi Jayanti / Navratri begins
Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi — national holiday. Also the start of Navratri, the nine-night festival of Goddess Durga with garba and dandiya celebrations. Navratri cards →
Dussehra / Vijayadasami
Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana — good over evil. Celebrated with Ramlila performances and massive Ravana effigies burned across North India.
Diwali — Festival of Lights 🪔
India's most celebrated festival — five days of diyas, fireworks, family, sweets, and Lakshmi Puja. The biggest greeting card occasion of the year. Diwali cards →
Christmas 🎄
Birthday of Jesus Christ — celebrated by Christians and widely observed by people of all faiths in India with carols, Santa, gifts, and midnight Mass. Christmas cards →
Never Miss a Festival Greeting
Bookmark this page to track India's festival calendar for 2026. For every festival on this list, FestiveGreetz has free personalised greeting cards you can create and share on WhatsApp in under a minute — with your name on them.
Explore All Festival Cards →