Bihar Public Holidays 2026

Bihar Public Holidays 2026

Year 2026 Official Holidays Updated: 18 Mar 2026

Bihar Public Holidays 2026 – 2027 Official Government & Festival Holiday Calendar

Bihar Public Holidays 2026: Bihar, one of India’s most vibrant states with rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions, observes a full calendar of public holidays every year. In 2026, the Bihar government has officially notified its holiday list which includes national holidays, popular festivals, state observances and optional/restricted holidays. These holidays apply to government offices, educational institutions and many public sector organisations across the state.

Whether you are planning vacations, organising events, or scheduling work duties, this complete 2026 holiday calendar for Bihar will help you stay prepared throughout the year.

Bihar Public Holidays 2026 (Government & Festival Holidays)

DateDayHoliday / Occasion
26 Jan 2026MondayRepublic Day
03 Mar 2026TuesdayHoli
21 Mar 2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Eid)
22 Mar 2026SundayBihar Day
27 Mar 2026FridayRam Navami
03 Apr 2026FridayGood Friday
01 May 2026FridayMay Day / Labour Day
28 May 2026ThursdayId-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
26 Jun 2026FridayMuharram
15 Aug 2026SaturdayIndependence Day
04 Sep 2026FridayKrishna Janmashtami
02 Oct 2026FridayGandhi Jayanti
18–20 Oct 2026Sun–TueDurga Puja / Navratri
08 Nov 2026SundayDiwali
15–16 Nov 2026Sun–MonChhath Puja
25 Dec 2026FridayChristmas Day

Note: Some festival dates (especially Islamic festivals) are based on moon sightings and may vary slightly.

Optional / Restricted Holidays 2026 (State Employees Can Choose)

In addition to the main public holidays above, the Bihar government also allows a number of optional or restricted holidays which employees may avail based on preference (up to the permitted number). These include a mix of cultural, religious and regional observances.

DateOccasion
01 Jan 2026New Year’s Day
14 Jan 2026Makar Sankranti
24 Jan 2026Karpoori Thakur Jayanti
02 Mar 2026Holika Dahan
13 Mar 2026Last Friday of Ramzan
22 Mar 2026Eid (Optional)
29 May 2026Eid-ul-Zuha (Optional)
18 Jun 2026Anugrah Narayan Sinha Jayanti
24 Aug 2026Last Shravan Monday
28 Aug 2026Raksha Bandhan
14 Sep 2026Hartalika Teej
17 Sep 2026Vishwakarma Puja
25 Sep 2026Anant Chaturdashi
04 Oct 2026Jivitputrika Vrat
11 Oct 2026Durga Puja (Kalash Sthapana)
11 Oct 2026Jayaprakash Narayan Jayanti
21 Oct 2026Durga Puja (Ekadashi)
21 Oct 2026Shri Krishna Singh Jayanti
14 Nov 2026Chhath Puja (Kharna)
03 Dec 2026Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jayanti
24 Dec 2026Christmas Eve

These restricted holidays give flexibility for employees to observe personal, community or cultural festivals.

Why These Holidays Matter

Bihar’s public holiday calendar reflects its rich cultural diversity — from national patriotic days like Republic Day and Independence Day to traditional festivals such as Holi, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The list also includes religious observances across communities, ensuring all major cultural events are recognised.

  • Republic Day (26 Jan) marks India’s constitutional heritage.
  • Holi celebrates the arrival of spring with color and joy.
  • Bihar Day (22 Mar) honours the formation of the state.
  • Chhath Puja is one of the largest festivals in Bihar, dedicated to the Sun God.