Puducherry doesn’t experience holidays the way most places do. The Union Territory doesn't typically work the same way as the rest of India, with a little sleepy beach town vibe dotted with a lot of influences from its French colonial past. It screams placidity and groundedness from the moment you step into White Town. This is the reason that its holidays sit at the intersection of civic routine, religion, and local habit.
Due to its history with colonization, Christian festivals are also not considered minority festivals in this context. Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas are an integral part of the community, side by side with large Hindu festivals like Pongal and Diwali. These holidays aren't just the time when offices are closed, but the nature of the whole day alters. The streets become less busy, the schedule comes to a halt, and the effect of the whole day is visible.
Government offices follow the list of holidays announced every year by the Puducherry Administration. Private offices and organizations, including small businesses and schools, will inevitably follow suit, not out of obligation but simply due to the ways of life. The reality of life in Puducherry is that holidays are not so much announced but more of an agreement.
List of National and Public Holidays in Puducherry for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | National |
| 2 | Jan 14 | Wednesday | Pongal | Regional |
| 3 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 4 | Mar 21 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| 5 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 6 | May 01 | Friday | Labour Day | National |
| 7 | May 01 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Religious |
| 8 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 9 | Sep 14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Religious |
| 10 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 11 | Nov 08 | Sunday | Diwali | Religious |
| 12 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
Dates for certain regional and religious festivals are finalised through official state notifications each year and may vary slightly based on lunar calendars.
For Those Living or Working in Puducherry
All government offices, judicial courts, and public institutions in the UT observe the holiday list issued by the Puducherry Administration. The Reserve Bank of India notifications dictate holidays to the banks. Private companies are not legally bound to observe all holidays, but most of them align with the official calendar, especially for major religious and national observances.
Also Read: Holiday List in Mizoram 2026
FAQs
1. Why are Christian holidays officially recognised in Puducherry?
Christian festivals are widely observed and form part of the region’s social fabric, not just its religious diversity. As the Union territory was a French colony before, this influence is drawn from the former colonisation.
2. Does Puducherry follow Tamil Nadu’s holiday calendar?
No, it does not. While there is overlap due to shared culture and festivals and ethno-linguistic similarities, Puducherry issues its own holiday notifications being a separate administrative entity.
3. Are private companies required to follow the UT holiday list?
Private employers have always set their own policies, though many choose to align with the official calendar.