Calendar
Indian festival dates 2026 and 2027: Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Eid and more
Most Indian festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the date moves every year. That is why every year millions of people search for "when is Diwali" or "Holi date" again.
This page collects the main dates for 2026 and 2027 in one place. Regional dates can differ by a day depending on the panchang and, for Eid, on the moon sighting: always confirm with your local calendar for rituals and muhurat.
Main festival dates at a glance
| Festival | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti / Pongal | 14 January | 14–15 January |
| Holi (Rangwali Holi) | 4 March | 22 March |
| Eid al-Fitr | 21 March* | 9–10 March* |
| Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) | 28 May* | 16–17 May* |
| Raksha Bandhan | 28 August | 17 August |
| Janmashtami | 4 September | 24–25 August |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | 14 September | 3–4 September |
| Navratri begins | 11 October | 30 September |
| Dussehra | 20 October | 9 October |
| Karva Chauth | 29 October | 18 October |
| Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | 8 November | 29 October |
| Bhai Dooj | 10 November | 31 October |
* Eid dates depend on the sighting of the moon and may shift by one day. Hindu festival dates follow the New Delhi panchang (Drik Panchang); where two dates are shown, calendars split between them. Some regions celebrate a day earlier or later.
Why the dates change every year
Hindu festivals are fixed to a tithi (lunar day) in a lunar month, not to a Gregorian date. Since a lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar one, festivals drift and an extra month is added every few years to realign them.
Islamic festivals follow a purely lunar calendar, so Eid moves about 11 days earlier every year and cycles through all seasons over roughly 33 years.
Plan ahead: what to do and when
- 3–4 months before Diwali: book trains and flights home. IRCTC opens bookings 60 days in advance and festival trains fill up within minutes.
- 4–6 weeks before: apply for leave and plan gifts for family who live far away.
- 2 weeks before Raksha Bandhan: post rakhis abroad or to other cities so they arrive in time.
- 1 week before: clean, shop and plan puja items to avoid the last-day rush.
- The day before: call or message relatives you will not see in person.
Never ask "when is it this year?" again
Once you know the date, save it. In MiRicordi you add each festival once with an alert a few weeks before (for bookings and leave) and another a few days before (for gifts and shopping), even with the app closed.
Frequently asked questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. In 2027 it falls on Friday 29 October.
When is Holi in 2027?
Rangwali Holi falls on Monday 22 March 2027, with Holika Dahan the evening before, on 21 March.
Why do Eid dates vary by a day?
Eid begins after the new crescent moon is sighted, and sighting depends on location and weather. India often celebrates a day after Saudi Arabia.
Are these dates official holidays?
Many are gazetted holidays, but lists differ by state and employer. Check your state government or company holiday calendar.