Himachal Pradesh does not have holidays equally every year. In the mountains, one holiday day extends into two just because the pace is slow. This is where roads count. This is where weather counts. This is where distance counts. When offices are closed, they are completely shut because opening the next day is a process in itself.
In cities like Shimla, Solan, or Dharamshala, the state calendaring system has the tendency of being even more controlling of day-to-day affairs than the one fixed by the Centre.
Government offices and schools are more in line with the notified holidays. Private companies have fewer days in theory, but the trend is more dependent on the geographical topography or the season. A holiday during the snowfall is completely different from the holiday pattern in the peak summer season in May.
The list of holidays is quite subdued for Himachal too. It stays mostly dependent on general holidays related to national and religious events. The only distinct holiday that marks this state’s identity is left to make this list complete. Here is the list of general holidays that are mostly observed by institutions in Himachal Pradesh:
List of National, Public, and Regional Holidays in Himachal Pradesh for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Public |
| Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| Feb 15 | Sunday | Maha Shivratri | Religious |
| Mar 04 | Wednesday | Holi | Religious |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| Apr 14 | Tuesday | Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti | Public |
| Apr 15 | Wednesday | Himachal Day | Regional |
| May 01 | Friday | May Day | Public |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| Sep 04 | Friday | Janmashtami | Religious |
| Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| Oct 20 | Tuesday | Vijayadashami (Dussehra) | Religious |
| Nov 08 | Sunday | Diwali | Religious |
| Nov 30 | Monday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Religious |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
Dates of certain festivals are fixed according to the lunar calendar and are the commonly calculated dates of 2026
How Holidays Function in Himachal Pradesh
State government offices stick to this list quite strictly, sometimes even scheduling work cycles around these seasons. Hill stations follow holiday seasons more strictly, whereas places at lower elevations can resume business sooner, depending on accessibility.
In the private sector, national holidays and major religious festivals are usually observed anyway.
Also Read: Holiday List in Haryana 2026
FAQs
1. What is Himachal Day, and why is it significant?
Himachal Day marks the day the state was formed and is officially recognised as a state holiday.
2. Does the holiday list apply to all districts uniformly?
National holidays are uniform. Weather and geography influence how holidays play out locally and how they may extend beyond officially notified timelines.
3. Do private companies have to observe this list?
No. Private employers decide their own holiday policies, though national holidays are observed unilaterally.
4. Why do some festival dates change each year?
Several religious festivals follow the lunar calendar, which shifts annually.
5. Are banks closed on all these days?
Banks follow RBI-designated holidays, which may differ slightly from the state list.