Gujarat’s holiday calendar is very close to how people actually organize their lives here. Business, trade, religious observance, and joint family routines all overlap, and the public calendar reflects that overlap. Whether it’s dancing at a Garba or munching on plates of Dhoklas, Khakras, and Phaphdas, Gujaratis come together to celebrate their holidays with faith, community, and long-standing social rhythms.
Unlike states where festival holidays feel as if they exist just in name, many of Gujarat’s observances are still actively practiced. Days like Navratri, Diwali, and Janmashtami are celebrated with such pomp and pageantry that they don’t just slow down government offices, but actually reshape daily schedules across cities and towns. The state’s holiday list recognizes this multicultural reality, placing major religious festivals alongside nationally recognized occasions.
For residents, the practical impact is seen in the shutting down of government offices and public institutions following the official notifications issued by the state.
Markets, factories, and private offices often adjust independently around major festivals, sometimes more decisively than the formal calendar suggests. They may even stay open to take advantage of the festival rush.
List of National, Public, and Regional Holidays in Gujarat for 2027
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Friday | New Year's Day | Public |
| 2 | Jan 14 | Thursday | Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) | Regional |
| 3 | Jan 26 | Tuesday | Republic Day | National |
| 4 | Mar 06 | Saturday | Mahashivratri | Religious |
| 5 | Mar 22 | Monday | Holi | Religious |
| 6 | Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 7 | Apr 15 | Thursday | Ram Navami | Religious |
| 8 | Apr 19 | Monday | Mahavir Jayanti | Religious |
| 9 | May 01 | Saturday | Labor Day | Public |
| 10 | Aug 15 | Sunday | Independence Day | National |
| 11 | Aug 25 | Wednesday | Janmashtami | Religious |
| 12 | Sep 30 | Thursday | Navratri (First Day) | Religious |
| 13 | Oct 02 | Saturday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 14 | Oct 09 | Saturday | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Religious |
| 15 | Oct 29 | Friday | Diwali | Religious |
| 16 | Oct 30 | Saturday | New Year (Bestu Varas) | Regional |
| 17 | Oct 31 | Sunday | Bhai Bij | Religious |
| 18 | Nov 14 | Sunday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Religious |
| 19 | Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | Religious |
Dates for religious festivals may vary slightly based on lunar calendars and official state notifications.
Major Religious Holidays 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Public |
| 2 | Jan 14 | Wednesday | Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) | Regional |
| 3 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 4 | Feb 15 | Sunday | Mahashivratri | Religious |
| 5 | Mar 04 | Wednesday | Holi | Religious |
| 6 | Mar 26 | Thursday | Ram Navami | Religious |
| 7 | Mar 31 | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Religious |
| 8 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 9 | May 01 | Friday | Labor Day | Public |
| 10 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 11 | Sep 04 | Friday | Janmashtami | Religious |
| 12 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 13 | Oct 11 | Sunday | Navratri (First Day) | Religious |
| 14 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Religious |
| 15 | Nov 08 | Sunday | Diwali | Religious |
| 16 | Nov 10 | Tuesday | New Year (Bestu Varas) | Regional |
| 17 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Bhai Bij | Religious |
| 18 | Nov 24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Religious |
| 19 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
For Those Living or Working in Gujarat
State government offices, courts, and public institutions follow the holiday list notified by the Gujarat government each year. Banks follow Reserve Bank of India holiday notifications applicable to the state. Private employers are not legally required to observe all state holidays; however, many of them do align operations around major festivals such as Navratri and Diwali due to workforce participation.
Also Read: Holiday List in Chandigarh 2027
FAQs
1. Why does Gujarat recognize regional holidays like Uttarayan and Bestu Varas?
These days are widely observed across the state and have practical socio-economic impacts. The kite festival during Uttarayan, in particular, is popular globally.
2. Is Navratri officially recognized in Gujarat?
Navratri is formally recognized and is arguably the most celebrated time of the year. The entire ethnic Gujarati community comes together to dance at Garba get-togethers on all nine nights of the celebrations.
3. Do all businesses close on Gujarat holidays?
As mentioned earlier, government offices follow the official list, while private businesses decide independently, often adjusting around major festivals.
4. Do holiday dates change every year?
Yes. Several religious holidays are based on lunar calendars, so their dates change from year to year and are finalized through official notifications.
