The Government of Karnataka has officially released the Karnataka Holiday Calendar for 2026, outlining all public and restricted holidays applicable across the state, including major cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, and Belagavi.
As the year 2025 draws to a close, many organisations, employees, and students are already planning their schedules for 2026. This newly issued calendar provides complete clarity on mandatory government holidays as well as optional restricted holidays followed based on institutional policy.
Public Holidays for Karnataka in 2026
Public holidays are government-declared and apply statewide across all public offices, banks, schools, and most private institutions. The 2026 calendar includes major religious, national, and regional festivals such as Ugadi, Basava Jayanthi, Makara Sankranti, Independence Day, Republic Day, Deepavali, and more.
Some key dates include:
- January 15 – Makara Sankranti
- January 26 – Republic Day
- March 19 – Ugadi
- April 3 – Good Friday
- August 15 – Independence Day
- November 10 – Deepavali
- December 25 – Christmas
Holidays that fall on Sundays in 2026 include Maha Shivaratri, Kannada Rajyotsava, and Naraka Chaturdashi.
Restricted (Optional) Holidays for Karnataka in 2026
Restricted holidays are optional and depend on the policies of individual organisations. These holidays allow employees to take time off based on personal religious or cultural importance.
The list includes:
- January 1 – New Year
- March 2 – Holi
- April 4 – Holy Saturday
- August 21 – Varamahalakshmi Vrata
- September 4 – Krishna Janmashtami
- November 24 – Guru Nanak Jayanthi
- December 24 – Christmas Eve
Additional restricted holidays include Tula Sankramana, Buddha Poornima, Souramana Ugadi, and Onam.
A Comprehensive Guide for 2026 Planning
The Karnataka Holiday Calendar 2026 provides citizens with a clear and organised look at both mandatory and optional holidays, helping families and organisations plan:
- Vacations
- School schedules
- Office operations
- Festival celebrations
- Community events
Packed with Karnataka’s cultural richness and diversity, the calendar reflects the state’s vibrant festivals and traditions across regions such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Udupi, Tumakuru, and Hassan.
