There’s an important connection between the holidays observed in Bihar with religious, historical, as well as day-to-day events taking place in the state. These special days in the state are not just mere festivals but rather an assortment of activities and rituals performed by generations of families and communities as an important part of their heritage and legacy.
- Celebrations by the majority Hindu community add to the state's vibrant festive calendar, with Holi, Ram Navami, Dussehra and Diwali being special occasions.
- National festivals, including Republic Day, Independence Day, and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, are celebrated with vigor in the state of Bihar.
- Eid ul Fitr, Bakrid, Good Friday, and Christmas are also being recognised, exuding the religious diversity of the state.
- Some holidays are associated with local practices and seasonal celebrations, which makes them very significant at the local level, like Chhath Puja.
List of National, Public and Regional Holidays in Bihar for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 14 | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti | Regional |
| 2 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 3 | Mar 04 | Wednesday | Holi | Regional |
| 4 | Mar 21 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| 5 | Mar 26 | Thursday | Ram Navami | Regional |
| 6 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 7 | Apr 14 | Tuesday | Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi | Public |
| 8 | May 01 | Friday | May Day | Public |
| 9 | May 27 | Tuesday | Bakrid (Eid ul-Azha) | Religious |
| 10 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 11 | Aug 26 | Tuesday | Eid-e-Milad | Religious |
| 12 | Sep 14 | Monday | Vinayaka Chaturthi | Religious |
| 13 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 14 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Dussehra (Vijaya Dasami) | Regional |
| 15 | Nov 16 | Monday | Chhath Puja (Day 2) | Regional |
| 16 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas | Religious |
| Dates for Islamic festivals depend on moon sighting and may shift slightly.
Also Read: Holiday List in Andhra Pradesh
FAQs
1. Are there bank holidays in Bihar in 2026?
Almost all national and public holidays in Bihar are also observed as bank holidays. The final list is at the discretion of RBI and also depends on state-specific declarations.
2. What are the Optional Holidays for Government Employees in Bihar in 2026?
Optional holidays comprise various religious and regional days. The Bihar state government announces the optional holiday list at the beginning of each year.
3. What is a Bihar Government Holiday?
Bihar government holidays are the days when the offices of the state government are closed, except for essential services. This includes public holidays and other important state holidays such as Chhath Puja and Holi.
4. How Many Holidays Will Bihar Government Employees Get in 2026?
The Bihar government holiday list 2026 includes a total of 44 holidays in 2026. This includes 11 general holidays, 15 public holidays, and 17 optional (restricted) holidays.
5. What are the Upcoming Bihar Government Holidays in January 2026?
In January 2026, Bihar is expected to observe Makar Sankranti on 14 January and Republic Day on 26 January.
6. Which Festivals are Public Holidays in Bihar in 2026?
Major public holidays in the country are Holi, Ram Navami, Bakrid, Dussehra, Chhath Puja and Christmas.
7. Which holidays are observed due to their religious importance in Bihar in 2026?
Religious holidays observed in Bihar include Holi, Ram Navami, Good Friday.
8. Which holidays are observed due to their local cultural significance?
Apart from national festivals, cultural holidays include (some of them fall on a Sunday):
- Bihar Divas (Mar 22)
- Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti (Apr 23)
- Janaki Navami (Apr 25)
- Kabir Jayanti (Jun 29)
- Chehallum (Aug 4)
- Chhath Puja (Nov 15-16)