Diwali
· Across India
The festival of lights. Homes glow with diyas, doorways get rangoli, and families share sweets. In the north it marks Rama’s return to Ayodhya.
Festivals of India, 2026–27
From Diwali to Diwali: the big festivals that families across India celebrate, with what happens and something to make for each one.
November 2026
Govardhan Puja
· North and west India
Remembers young Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter the village from the rain. Many temples build a ‘mountain’ of food called annakut.
Bhai Dooj
· Across India
Sisters put a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and pray for them; brothers give gifts in return.
Children’s Day
· Across India
The birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru, who loved children. Schools hold games, shows and treats.
Chhath Puja
· Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh
Families stand in rivers and ponds to offer prayers to the Sun at sunset and again at sunrise.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
· Celebrated by Sikhs everywhere
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Gurdwaras are lit up, hymns are sung at dawn, and langar feeds everyone who comes.
December 2026
Christmas
· Across India, especially Goa, Kerala, Mumbai and the Northeast
Celebrates the birth of Jesus. Churches hold midnight mass, homes hang paper stars, and plum cake is shared with neighbours.
January 2027
Lohri
· Punjab and north India
Families gather around a bonfire, sing folk songs and share peanuts, popcorn and rewri.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
· Across India, with many names
A harvest festival as the sun moves north. Kites fill the sky in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu cooks sweet pongal rice, and Maharashtra shares til-gul.
Republic Day
· National
India’s Constitution came into force on this day in 1950. A grand parade marches down Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
February 2027
Vasant Panchami
· North and east India
Welcomes spring. Many families wear yellow and worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning and music.
March 2027
Maha Shivaratri
· Across India
The great night of Shiva. Devotees fast, visit temples and stay awake through the night with prayers and music.
Eid al-Fitr
· Celebrated by Muslims everywhere
Marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Families wear new clothes, offer prayers, share sewaiyan and give children Eidi. The date depends on the moon.
Holi
· Across India
The festival of colours. The night before, a bonfire called Holika Dahan is lit. Then everyone plays with gulal and water, and eats gujiya.
Easter
· Christians across India
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, two days after Good Friday. Churches fill with flowers and songs.
April 2027
Ugadi and Gudi Padwa
· Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra
New Year’s Day for many. Ugadi pachadi mixes six tastes for the year ahead, and in Maharashtra a gudi flag is raised outside homes.
Baisakhi
· Punjab, and Sikhs everywhere
A harvest festival and the Sikh New Year, remembering the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. Around the same days, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bengal, Assam and Odisha celebrate their own new years.
Ram Navami
· Across India
The birth of Lord Rama. Temples read the Ramayana and hold processions.
Mahavir Jayanti
· Celebrated by Jains everywhere
The birth of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. Jains hold processions, pray at temples and give to charity.
May 2027
Eid al-Adha
· Celebrated by Muslims everywhere
Also called Bakrid. Families offer prayers and share food with relatives, neighbours and people in need. The date depends on the moon.
Buddha Purnima
· Celebrated by Buddhists everywhere
Remembers the birth of the Buddha. Monasteries are decorated and many visit Bodh Gaya, where he gained enlightenment.
August 2027
Independence Day
· National
India became independent in 1947. The flag is raised at the Red Fort, and kites fly over Delhi.
Raksha Bandhan
· Across India
Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, a promise of love and care.
Janmashtami
· Across India
The birth of Krishna, celebrated at midnight. In Maharashtra, human pyramids climb to break the dahi handi pot.
September 2027
Ganesh Chaturthi
· Across India, especially Maharashtra
Ganesha comes home for ten days of prayers, music and modaks before being taken to the water.
Onam
· Kerala
A harvest festival welcoming King Mahabali home. Families make pookalam flower carpets and share a big sadya feast on banana leaves.
October 2027
Dussehra
· Across India
Ends nine nights of Navratri, with garba in Gujarat and Durga Puja in Bengal. Effigies of Ravana are burned to show good winning over evil.
Diwali
· Across India
The festival of lights comes round again. Time to clean, decorate, draw rangoli and light the lamps.
About the dates
Many Indian festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates can differ by a day between regions and families. Eid dates depend on the sighting of the moon and are confirmed only a day or two before. Dates here were checked against Drik Panchang and Office Holidays in October 2026.