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US – India Holiday Calendar 2026

Posted On: September 21, 2025

For those who work on offshore and onsite teams between the US and India, this US – India Holiday Calendar 2026 highlights key holidays, observances, and special days. While not all of these are official leave days (or paid vacation), some may be floating holidays depending on your colleague’s religious and cultural affiliation.

This calendar was compiled on September 1, 2025. Though many of these dates are set years in advance, some may shift slightly depending on how the calendars align as we near 2026.

If you work across the US and India, this resource can help you plan meetings, project deadlines, and cross-border collaborations. Click on the links for more information on specific holidays, including background context and small-talk tips for conversations with US clients and colleagues.

US – India Holiday Calendar 2026

January 2026

 

India

• • 1 Jan – New Year’s Day – May not be a day off (Learn how to wish Happy New Year in 40 languages!)
  • 3 Jan – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday: Celebrates the birth of Hazrat Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad.
  • 14 Jan – Pongal / Makar Sankranti: Hindu harvest festival marking the sun’s transition to Capricorn.
  • 23 Jan – Vasant Panchami: Hindu festival dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of wisdom.
  • 26 Jan – Republic Day: Marks the adoption of India’s Constitution in 1950, celebrating democracy and national unity.

US

• • 1 Jan – New Year’s Day – Typically a day off
  • 6 Jan – Epiphany: Christian holiday marking the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.
  • 7 Jan – Orthodox Christmas Day: Celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians.
  • 14 Jan – Orthodox New Year: Traditional New Year based on the Julian calendar.
  • 19 Jan – Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Idaho Human Rights Day/ Civil Rights Day: Honors the civil rights leader and his fight for racial equality.
  • 29 Jan – Kansas Day.  USA State Birthdays

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February 2026

India

• • 1 Feb – Guru Ravidas Jayanti: Marks the birth of Guru Ravidas, a saint and social reformer.
  • 12 Feb – Maharishi Dayanand Jayanti: Celebrates the birth of Hindu reformer Dayanand Saraswati.
  • 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day: Celebrates friendship and meaningful relationships.
  • 15 Feb – Maha Shivaratri: Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva.
  • 19 Feb – Ramadan Start / Shivaji Jayanti: Ramadan begins for Muslims; Shivaji Jayanti honors Maratha king Shivaji.

 

US

• • 1 Feb – National Freedom Day/Start of Black History Month: Marks the signing of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.
  • 2 Feb – Tu Bishvat: Jewish “New Year of the Trees,” celebrating nature and environmental awareness.
    
  • 2 Feb – Groundhog Day: Folklore tradition predicting the length of winter.
    
  • 4 Feb – Rosa Parks Day: Honors civil rights icon and her protest against segregation.
  • 6 Feb – National Wear Red Day: Raises awareness of heart disease, especially in women.
  • 8 Feb – Super Bowl: Annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). This is held every February on the second Sunday.
  • 12 Feb – Lincoln’s Birthday: Honors the 16th U.S. president who led during the Civil War.
  • 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day: Celebrates friendship and meaningful relationships.
  • 15 – Feb-  Singles Awareness Day (observation) 
  • 16 Feb – Presidents’ Day: Celebrates U.S. presidents, especially Washington and Lincoln.
  • 17 Feb – Shrove Tuesday: Christian observance the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent; traditionally a day for confessing sins and using up rich foods.
  • 17 Feb – Mardi Gras: French for “Fat Tuesday,” celebrated in many countries (especially New Orleans, USA) with parades and feasting, also the day before Ash Wednesday.
  • 17 Feb – Lunar/Chinese New Year: Celebrated in many Asian countries (China, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, etc.) based on the lunar calendar.
  • 18 Feb – Ash Wednesday: Christian day marking the start of Lent, focused on reflection and repentance.
  • 18 Feb – Ramadan Starts (Tentative Date): Islamic month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

 

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March 2026

India

• • 3 Mar – Holika Dahan: Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
  • 3 Mar – Attukul Pongala: Hindu festival in Kerala where millions of women cook offerings for the goddess at Attukal Temple.
  • 4 Mar – Holi: Hindu spring festival of colors and joy.
  • 8 Mar – International Women’s Day: Celebrates women’s achievements and promotes gender equality.
  • 19 Mar – Ugadi / Gudi Padwa: Hindu New Year festivals in southern and western India.
  • 20 Mar – Jamat ul-Vida: Muslim observance of the last Friday of Ramadan.
  • 21 Mar – Ramzan Id (Eid al-Fitr, tentative): Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.
  • 26 Mar – Rama Navami: Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
  • 31 Mar – Mahavir Jayanti: Marks the birth of Mahavira, founder of Jainism.

US

• • All Month – March Madness
  • 1 Mar – Start of Women’s History Month: Highlights women’s contributions and historical impact.
  • 3 Mar – Purim: Jewish festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.
  • 8 Mar – Daylight Saving Time starts – Clocks ‘Spring Ahead’ by one hour
  • 17 Mar – St. Patrick’s Day: Celebrates Irish heritage, culture, and the patron saint of Ireland.
  • 20 Mar – Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date): Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.
  • 29 Mar – Palm Sunday: Christian observance commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem before Easter.
  • 30 Mar – Vietnam Veterans Day: Honors U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War.
  • 31 Mar – César Chávez Day: Honors labor leader César Chávez and his work for farmworkers’ rights (Texas, Colorado, California).

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April 2026

India

• • 2 Apr – Passover begins / Maundy Thursday: Jewish and Christian holy days.
  • 3 Apr – Good Friday: Christian commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus.
  • 5 Apr – Easter Day: Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
  • 14 Apr – Vishu: Kerala’s New Year festival marking harvest and prosperity.
  • 14 Apr – Tamil New Year (Puthandu): Marks the first day of the Tamil calendar year, celebrated with rituals, feasts, and cultural traditions in Tamil Nadu.
  • 14 Apr – Vaisakhi / Ambedkar Jayanti: Sikh New Year and harvest festival; Ambedkar Jayanti honors social reformer B.R. Ambedkar.
  • 15 Apr – Bahag Bihu/Vaisakhadi – Harvest and New Year festival in India.
  • End Apr – Academic year ends in schools in India

US

• • 2 Apr – Maundy Thursday / Passover begins: Christian and Jewish holy days.
  • 3 Apr – Good Friday: Christian commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion.
  • 5 Apr – Easter Sunday: Christian celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
  • 9 Apr – Last Day of Passover
  • 14 Apr – Yom HaShoah: Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day.
  • 15 Apr – Tax Day – Filing deadline for taxes for the previous tax/calendar year
  • 22 Apr – Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israeli Independence Day, celebrated by Jewish communities.
  • 24 Apr – Arbor Day: A day dedicated to planting and caring for trees. (Last Friday in April)

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May 2026

India

• • 1 May-International Worker’s Day/ Labour Day
  • 1 May – Buddha Purnima / Vesak: Marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
  • 9 May- Birthday of Rabindranath: Celebrates the birth anniversary of poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
  • 10 May- Mother’s Day
  • 16 May – Akshaya Tritiya: Hindu and Jain festival symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and new beginnings; considered highly auspicious for starting ventures or making purchases.
  • 27 May: Bakrid (Eid al-Adha, tentative): Islamic festival of sacrifice.

US

• • 1 May-  First Day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month/ First Day of Jewish American Heritage Month  
  • 1 May – Lei Day – Hawaiian holiday celebrating Hawaiian culture, music, and the tradition of making and giving leis.
  • 2 May- Kentucky Derby – Annual horse race in Louisville, Kentucky, known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
  • 10 May- Mother’s Day – Always the 2nd Sunday of May
  • 22-24 May – Shavuot: Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the wheat harvest.
  • 25 May – Memorial Day: Remembers U.S. military personnel who died in service. (Always the last Monday in May)
  • 27 May – Bakrid (Eid al-Adha, tentative): Islamic festival of sacrifice.
  • May – Mid June – Academic year ends for schools and colleges (exact dates vary on institution and locality)
  • May – Late June – Graduation Season

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June 2026

India

• • 21 Jun- Father’s Day – Always the 3rd Sunday of June
  • 21 Jun- June Solstice
  • 26 Jun – Muharram / Ashura (tentative): Islamic day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

US

• • 1 Jun- First Day of Pride Month/ First Day of Caribbean-American Heritage Month
  • 6 Jun – D-Day: Commemorates the Allied landings in Normandy during WWII.
  • 12 Jun – Loving Day: Celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia (1967) that struck down laws banning interracial marriage.
  • 14 Jun – Flag Day: Celebrates the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.
  • 21 Jun- Father’s Day: Always the 3rd Sunday of June
  • 21 Jun – Jule Solstice
  • 19 Jun – Juneteenth: Marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865.

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July 2026

India

• • 16 Jul – Rath Yatra: Hindu chariot festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath.

US

• • 4 Jul – Independence Day: Celebrates the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776.
  • 23 Jul- Tisha B’Av: Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
  • 24 Jul- Pioneer Day (Utah State only): Celebrating the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

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August 2026

India

• • 2 Aug- Friendship Day
  • 15 Aug – Independence Day: Commemorates India’s independence from British rule in 1947.
  • 26 Aug – Milad un-Nabi (tentative): Celebrates the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.
  • 26 Aug – Onam: Kerala’s major harvest festival celebrating King Mahabali’s legendary return, marked with feasts, dances, and boat races.
  • 28 Aug- Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi): Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, marked by tying protective threads and exchanging gifts.

 

USA

• • Early Aug – Early Sep – Back To School: The academic year starts for school and college students at varying times depending on location in the US

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September 2026

India

• • 4 Sep – Janmashtami: Hindu festival celebrating Krishna’s birth.
  • 14 Sep – Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindu festival honoring Ganesha.
  • 23 Sep – September Equinox

US

• • 7 Sep – Labor Day: U.S. holiday honoring the contributions of workers and the labor movement.
  • 11 Sep – First Responders Day: Honors the dedication and service of emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, and paramedics.
  • 11 Sep – Patriot Day: Remembers the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
  • 12 Sep – Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year): Beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days.
  • 15 Sep – First Day of National Hispanic Heritage Month: Begins a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture, history, and contributions in the U.S.
  • 17 Sep – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution and honors all U.S. citizens.
  • 21 Sep – Yom Kippur: Jewish Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism.
  • 25 Sep – Native American Day: Honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans (observed in several U.S. states).
  • 26 Sep – Sukkot begins: Jewish harvest festival commemorating the Israelites’ journey in the desert.

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October 2026

India

• • 2 Oct – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti: Indian national holiday honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and his legacy of nonviolent resistance.
  • 11 Oct – Sharad Navratri begins: Hindu festival honoring Goddess Durga.
  • 12 – 20 Oct – Navaratri (Durga Puja Festival): Hindu festival of nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
  • 17 – 20 Oct – Durga Puja / Dussehra: Hindu festivals celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
  • 18 Oct – Maha Saptami: Seventh day of Navaratri, marked by the ritual worship of Goddess Durga.
  • 19 Oct – Maha Ashtami: Eighth day and one of the most important days of the festival, featuring special prayers and rituals.
  • 20 Oct – Dussehra / Vijayadashami: Tenth day concluding Navaratri, celebrating Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and the symbolic triumph of good over evil.
  • 26 Oct – Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti: Celebrates the birth of Sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana.
  • 29 Oct – Karva Chauth: Hindu fasting ritual for marital wellbeing.

US

• • 2-3 Sukkot Ends/Shemini Atzeret: Jewish holiday marking the conclusion of Sukkot, dedicated to prayer, reflection, and beginning the annual cycle of Torah readings.
  • 12 Oct – Columbus Day / Indigenous People’s Day: Columbus Day marks Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, while Indigenous People’s Day honors Native peoples and critiques colonialism.
    Columbus Day is also know by these names in select states:  Fraternal Day/ Yorktown Victory Day/ Discoverers’ Day/ Native American Day/ American Indian Heritage Day 
  • 31 Oct – Halloween: A secular and cultural holiday with ancient Celtic roots, marked by costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky-themed celebrations.

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November 2026

India

• • 1 Nov – Kerala Day/ Karnataka Day – Kerala and Karnataka Statehood Day
  • 8 Nov – Diwali / Deepavali: Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
    How Do Indians Celebrate Diwali in the USA?
  • 9 Nov – Govardhan Puja: Hindu festival honoring Krishna’s lifting of Govardhan Hill.
  • 11 Nov – Bhai Duj: Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.
  • 15 Nov – Chhath Puja: Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God.
  • 24 Nov – Guru Nanak Jayanti / Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day: Important Sikh observances honoring the founder of Sikhism and a martyred guru.
  • 29 Nov – Karthigai Deepam: Tamil Hindu festival of lights, celebrated with rows of oil lamps to honor Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.

US

• • 1 Nov – First Day of Native American Heritage Month: Marks the start of a month dedicated to recognizing and honoring the history, culture, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples in the United States.
  • 1 Nov – Daylight Saving Time Ends:  Clocks are set back one hour, returning to standard time.
  • 2 Nov – All Souls Day: Christian observance honoring and praying for the souls of the departed, especially those in purgatory.
  • 3 Nov – Election Day: Citizens vote in federal, state, and local elections.
    Talking About Politics: Dos and Don’ts in the USA
  • 8 Nov – Diwali / Deepavali: Hindu festival of lights observed in U.S. communities.
  • 11 Nov – Veterans Day: Honors all U.S. military veterans.
  • 26 Nov – Thanksgiving Day: National holiday rooted in harvest traditions, debated for its colonial history.
  • 27 Nov – Black Friday: Major retail shopping day following Thanksgiving, marked by sales and promotions.
  • 30 Nov – Cyber Monday: Online-focused shopping day offering discounts and deals, following Black Friday.

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December 2026

India

• • 5 – 12 Dec – Hanukkah: Jewish festival of lights.
  • 22 Dec – December Solstice
  • 23 Dec – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday: Shia Muslim commemoration.
  • 24 Dec – Christmas Eve: Christian celebration on the night before Jesus’ birth.
  • 25 Dec – Christmas: Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

US

• • 1 Dec – Rosa Parks Day: Honors civil rights activist Rosa Parks and her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  • 5 – 12 Dec – Hanukkah: Jewish festival of lights.
  • 8 Dec – Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Catholic celebration of the Virgin Mary’s conception without sin.
  • 12 Dec – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Catholic feast honoring Mexico’s patron saint.
  • 20 Dec – Asarah B’Tevet: Jewish fast day commemorating the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II, leading to the First Temple’s destruction.
  • 25 Dec – Christmas Day: Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • 26 Dec- Kwanzaa (first day): African-American cultural holiday celebrating family, community, and African heritage through seven principles called the Nguzo Saba.  
  • 31 Dec- New Year’s Eve

Take note: not all holidays listed here are days off. Even within India, observance varies by office, state, or region. Always confirm with your local HR office to understand the exact holiday schedule for the team you’re working with.

This post, “Managing Offshore & Onsite Work: US – India Holiday Calendar 2026,” was compiled by Urvi Khona and Jennifer Kumar.

Anchor this text when sharing: Plan global teamwork with the US – India Holiday Calendar 2026. Explore key holidays, observances, and cultural notes to improve collaboration.

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