Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 – 2027 Official List of Government & Festival Holidays
Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 Karnataka, one of India’s culturally rich and diverse states, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. In 2026, the state government has announced a comprehensive calendar of official holidays that include national observances, traditional festivals, and important cultural events. Whether you are planning vacations, important events, or family gatherings, this detailed guide will help you stay prepared.
Karnataka Public Holidays 2026 (General Holidays)
Below is the official list of general public holidays that are applicable across Karnataka for the year 2026:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 2026 | Wednesday | Makara Sankranti |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday | Republic Day |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Sunday | Maha Shivaratri |
| 20 Mar 2026 | Friday | Ugadi Festival |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Mahaveera Jayanthi |
| 03 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti |
| 20 Apr 2026 | Monday | Basava Jayanti / Akshaya Tritiya |
| 01 May 2026 | Friday | May Day |
| 28 May 2026 | Thursday | Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) |
| 26 Jun 2026 | Friday | Last Day of Muharram |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| 26 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | Eid-e-Milad |
| 14 Sep 2026 | Monday | Varasiddhi Ganesh Vrata |
| 02 Oct 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 20 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Mahanavami / Ayudha Puja |
| 21 Oct 2026 | Wednesday | Vijayadashami (Dussehra) |
| 10 Nov 2026 | Tuesday | Balipadyami & Deepavali |
| 27 Nov 2026 | Friday | Kanakadasa Jayanti |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day |
This list is based on the official state holiday notification released for 2026, which includes a mix of national, religious, and cultural occasions.
What These Holidays Mean
- Makara Sankranti: Harvest festival marking the sun’s transition into Capricorn.
- Ugadi: Telugu and Kannada New Year celebration.
- Id-ul-Fitr & Bakrid: Major Islamic festivals celebrated across the state.
- Basava Jayanti & Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti: Cultural observances honoring important historical figures.
- Dussehra & Deepavali: Major Hindu festivals celebrated with wide public participation.
- Christmas: Religious and public celebration observed nationwide.
Optional / Restricted Holidays
In addition to the general holidays listed above, Karnataka also observes restricted holidays that employees can avail of with prior approval. These often include festival days and religious observances such as:
- New Year’s Day
- Shab-e-Barath
- Holi Festival
- Sri Ramanavami
- Varamahalakshmi Vrata
- Yajur Upakarma
(This list may be updated officially and employee leave rules apply.)
Tips for Planning Your Year
✔ Plan vacations and personal events around long weekends and major holidays.
✔ Check official state notifications as some holidays may be updated due to moon sightings (for festivals like Eid). Karnataka holidays 2026
✔ Banks and schools may have additional holidays, especially on local festival occasions.