Jammu & Kashmir’s holiday calendar is a unique mix of national observances, deep-rooted religious festivals, and local celebrations that bring out the essence and flavour of the customs followed in the region.
These holidays are what professionals and citizens look to plan around long before they arrive, year-round. Some are observed across the entire Union Territory, while others reflect traditions and communities in specific locales.
The Government of Jammu & Kashmir plans a list of holidays every year that blends national days, religious festivals from multiple faiths, and local celebrations rooted in the region’s culture.
List of National, Public and Regional Holidays in J&K for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 17 | Saturday | Shab-i-Miraj | Religious |
| 2 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Sunday | Maha Shivaratri | Religious |
| 4 | Mar 04 | Wednesday | Holi(Jammu only) | Religional/Religious |
| 5 | Mar 17 | Tuesday | Shab-e-Qadr | Religious |
| 6 | Mar 20 | Friday | Jumat-ul-Vida | Religious |
| 7 | Mar 21 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| 8 | Apr 14 | Tuesday | Vaisakhi | Religious |
| 9 | Apr 14 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti | Public |
| 10 | May 01 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Religious |
| 11 | May 27 | Wednesday | Eid ul-Azha (Bakrid) | Religious |
| 12 | May 28 | Thursday | Bakrid | Religious |
| 13 | Jun 26 | Friday | Ashoora(Muharram) | Religious |
| 14 | Jul 01 | Wednesday | Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday | Religious |
| 15 | Jul 13 | Monday | Martyr's Day | Regional |
| 16 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 17 | Aug 26 | Wednesday | Eid-e-Milad | Religious |
| 18 | Sep 04 | Friday | Shri Krishna Janmashtami | Religious |
| 19 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National/Public |
| 20 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) | Religious |
| 21 | Nov 08 | Sunday | Deepavali (Diwali) | Religious |
| 22 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas | Religious |
Note: Martyrs’ Day (13 July) and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birth anniversary (5 December), once part of the regional calendar, were not included in the official 2026 list released by the J&K General Administration Department. Islamic Festivals may change dates depending on moon sighting.
Also Read: Holiday List in Goa
FAQs
1. Are these holidays applicable across the entire Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir?
The list above is the list of holidays declared for government and educational institutions across the UTs, unless specified otherwise (e.g. Holi is celebrated more widely in Jammu).
2. Do banks follow the same holiday list?
It is usually seen that banks remain closed on all public holidays and major festivals of the nation. Sometimes, they remain closed on other days, depending on notifications from the Reserve Bank of India
3. What’s the difference between a regional and a public holiday here?
Holidays are observed nationwide in the UT, while others may be very common in one place (for example, Holi in J&K) and may be observed at local or specific group levels. So, public holidays are declared for the entire UT; regional ones may be prominent in one area
4. What happens if religious festivals shift due to lunar calendars?
Islamic festivals (like Eid) depend on moon sightings, so dates may be confirmed closer to the event. Official notifications may be updated accordingly.
5. Is Accession Day a public holiday?
Accession Day (26 October) is widely commemorated culturally and historically in J&K but is not included in the official 2026 UT holiday list.