In West Bengal, holidays aren’t just pauses in work but moments where the Bengali community comes together under a broader ethno-religious banner, in the spirit of togetherness. If you have had the pleasure of growing up here, you learn early that the calendar revolves less around administrative dates and more around festivals that shape daily life, especially Durga Puja which falls in the latter half of the year. Everything else fits around that rhythm.
Durga Puja is simply not a religious observance here but an entire season celebrating the spirit of the Divine Mother. Offices plan around it, schools schedule examinations before it, and entire neighbourhoods reorganise themselves for days to welcome Maa. Post the fifth day of the new moon, the entire state erupts in celebrations of food, culture and people. The state’s public holiday list reflects this reality. Several consecutive days are officially notified, recognising that public life slows down not because it is mandated, but because participation is nearly universal.
West Bengal’s calendar also reflects its layered cultural identity beyond Durga Puja. Bengali New Year, Dol Jatra, Kali Puja are some of the festivals that are observed across communities. While government offices follow the notified list, the lived experience of these holidays extends well beyond formal closures. In West Bengal, a holiday often means the city changes pace, not just that offices shut.
List of National, Public, and Regional Holidays in West Bengal for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | National |
| 2 | Jan 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 3 | Mar 04 | Wednesday | Dol Jatra | Regional |
| 4 | Mar 21 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitr | Religious |
| 5 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 6 | Apr 15 | Wednesday | Bengali New Year (Poila Boishakh) | Regional |
| 7 | May 01 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Religious |
| 8 | Aug 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 9 | Sep 04 | Friday | Janmashtami | Religious |
| 10 | Oct 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 11 | Oct 18 | Sunday | Durga Puja (Saptami) | Religious |
| 12 | Oct 19 | Monday | Durga Puja (Ashtami) | Religious |
| 13 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Durga Puja (Navami) | Religious |
| 14 | Oct 20 | Tuesday | Vijaya Dasami (Dussehra) | Religious |
| 15 | Nov 08 | Sunday | Kali Puja / Diwali | Religious |
| 16 | Nov 20 | Friday | Chhath Puja | Religious |
| 17 | Nov 30 | Monday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Religious |
| 18 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
Dates for certain religious festivals may vary based on lunar calendars and official state notifications.
For Those Living or Working in West Bengal
One can follow the holiday list notified by the West Bengal government each year to know when state and public institutions close. During Durga Puja, even private organisations often align operations with the public calendar due to staff participation and city-wide shutdowns. Banks follow Reserve Bank of India notifications, which typically overlap with major festivals and national holidays.
Also Read: Holiday List in Tripura 2026
FAQs
1. Why does West Bengal have multiple holidays for Durga Puja?
This is because Durga Puja is observed over several days, similar to how the Harvest Festival of the Sun - Pongal - is followed in Tamil Nadu. Each of them have a distinct religious and cultural significance. The state formally recognises this by notifying multiple consecutive holidays.
2. Is Durga Puja observed uniformly across West Bengal?
Durga Puja holidays apply statewide, as the Bengali community is spread uniformly throughout the state with very little cosmopolitan mix. The scale of celebration though may vary between districts.
3. Are these holidays mandatory for private companies?
Private employers are not legally required to observe all state holidays, though many voluntarily align with major festivals like Durga Puja due to dwindling employee availability and regional slowdowns.
4. Does Kali Puja replace Diwali in West Bengal?
In West Bengal, Kali Puja is the primary observance on the Diwali night, the 14th day of the waning moon, and it is officially recognised by the state.