Kerala is living and celebrating its festivals with enthusiasm and grandeur! They are much more than just filling the year; instead, they help determine the tempo of life’s voyage. Whether it is the ten days of indulgence and communal bonhomie of Onam or days of introspection like Vishu, the list of holidays is a mix of cultural events, religion, and the annual national holidays we are accustomed to. Each year, a list of holidays is announced by the state government, and 2026 is no exception.
Rather than only referring to holidays, this list takes into consideration how people in the state of Kerala actually live them out; some are major statewide celebrations, others are a part of local tradition or the Malayalam calendar system.
List of National, Public and Regional Holidays in Kerala for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 02 | Friday | Mannam Jayanthi | State/Regional |
| 2 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 3 | Mar 20 | Friday | Eid-ul-Fitr(Ramzan)* | Religious |
| 4 | Apr 01 | Wednesday | Annual Closing of Banking Accounts | Public/Bank |
| 5 | Apr 02 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday (Pesaha Vyazham)* | Religious (Bank not on Holiday) |
| 6 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 7 | Apr 14 | Tuesday | Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanthi | Public |
| 8 | Apr 15 | Wednesday | Vishu | Regional/Religious |
| 9 | May 01 | Friday | May Day | Public |
| 10 | May 27 | Wednesday | Eid ul-Adha(Bakrid) | Religious |
| 11 | Jun 25 | Thursday | Muharram | Religious |
| 12 | Aug 11 | Tuesday | Karkidaka Vavu | Regional/Religious |
| 13 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 14 | Aug 25 | Tuesday | First Onam | Regional |
| 15 | Aug 26 | Wednesday | Thiruvonam | Regional |
| 16 | Aug 27 | Thursday | Third Onam | Regional |
| 17 | Aug 28 | Friday | Fourth Onam / Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi / Ayyankali Jayanthi | Regional |
| 18 | Sep 04 | Friday | Sreekrishna Jayanthi | Regional |
| 19 | Sep 22 | Tuesday | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day | Regional |
| 20 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 21 | Oct 19 | Monday | Mahanavami | Regional |
| 22 | Oct 21 | Wednesday | Vijayadasami | Regional |
| 23 | Nov 08 | Sunday | Deepavali (Diwali) | Religious |
| 24 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas | Religious |
| Dates for Islamic festivals depend on moon sighting and may shift slightly.
What Makes Kerala’s Holidays Stand Out
- Lots of layers: Some holidays like Onam stretch over several days and have deep cultural roots beyond just a day off work.
- Religious diversity: Kerala’s calendar recognises festivals from different faiths — that’s reflected in both regional traditions and official listings.
- Official vs optional: The list above covers the main gazetted holidays for the year. There are also restricted/optional holidays not shown here (especially for banks and Central Government offices) — they vary by institution.
Also Read: Holiday List in Jammu and Kashmir
FAQs
1. Are all these holidays observed everywhere in Kerala?
Most are statewide – government offices, banks, and many schools and colleges follow them. Some regional ones (like Onam’s detailed observances) might feel larger in specific districts but are recognised statewide.
2. Do banks follow the same list?
Yes, for the most part, especially the major public holidays. Banks also have additional bank-specific holidays like the Annual Closing of Accounts, and sometimes Saturdays/Sundays as per RBI rules.
3. Can you explain Onam - why are there several days?
Onam isn’t just a single day in Kerala; the official list marks the key days (First Onam, Thiruvonam, Third and Fourth Onam), but the wider festival vibe actually runs before and after these dates in many communities.
4. Why aren’t some festivals like Easter or Maha Shivaratri on this list?
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, like Maha Shivaratri or some Easter observances in 2026, Kerala’s official holiday list may not re-declare it as an extra holiday, since Sunday itself is already a non-working day in many institutions.