The holidays in Karnataka represent the intersection of language, culture, and regional identity. “What constitutes a shutdown in a government office in Bengaluru may not even register as a blip on the radar screen for some areas in the Dakshina Kannada region, whereas a holiday in the southern part of the state may creep into every single district without ever being considered a ‘statewide shutdown.’”
There is a certain imbalance in the state calendar because of this. The Kannada Rajyotsava is special because it is celebrated everywhere. Ugadi is the beginning of a new year, but this year is only for certain people. Dasara in Mysuru goes well beyond its actual date, sometimes before, sometimes after, and this can't be accommodated in the following table.
There are religious festivals too, but selectively. Karnataka does not aim to represent all festivals formally. Karnataka includes only those festivals that affect a wider administration and does not count others in that list. This has been done purposefully.
The following table gives the formally recognised and generally adhered to holidays within Karnataka, using the same framework of a calendar that has been used throughout the document.
Karnataka Holidays for 2026 (Public, National, and Regional)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Public |
| Jan 14 | Wednesday | Makar Sankranti | Regional |
| Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| Mar 04 | Wednesday | Holi | Religious |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Ugadi | Regional |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| May 01 | Friday | May Day | Public |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| Sep 04 | Friday | Krishna Janmashtami | Religious |
| Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| Oct 20 | Tuesday | Vijayadashami (Mysuru Dasara) | Religious / Regional |
| Nov 01 | Sunday | Kannada Rajyotsava | State |
| Nov 08 | Sunday | Deepavali | Religious |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
What actually happens on these days
Government offices follow this list closely. Schools usually do too, though urban private institutions sometimes compress breaks. Private employers, especially in IT and manufacturing, often observe fewer holidays on paper but experience lower attendance during regional festivals like Ugadi or Dasara regardless.
Banks follow RBI notifications, which overlap with this list but may differ at the margins.
Also Read: Holiday List in Himachal Pradesh 2026
FAQs
1. Is Kannada Rajyotsava observed statewide?
Yes. It is one of the few holidays that carries equal weight across districts.
2. Why does Mysuru Dasara matter more than Dussehra elsewhere?
The festival has historical and civic significance in Mysuru, extending beyond ritual observance, and the entire city of Mysuru comes alive.
3. Are private companies required to follow this list?
No. Private employers set their own holiday policies.
4. Do festival dates change every year?
Yes, for festivals based on the lunar calendar.
5. Are all religious communities represented here?
Only those with consistent statewide administrative impact are formally listed.