Holi 2026: Is It A Public Holiday? State-Wise Schools, Banks Holiday List

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Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 09:45 IST

Holi 2026 School, Bank Holiday: Get the official Holi 2026 dates, state-wise holidays for Holika Dahan and Dhulandi, and understand why celebrations vary across India.

Holi 2026 School, Bank Holiday: Different astrological interpretations have caused a sense of confusion regarding Holi celebrations for the year 2026. Uncertainty persists in citizens’ minds over the exact dates for the festivities of Holika Dahan and Dhulandi. At the crux of confusion are the variations in the almanack readings, lunar calculations, the impact of Adhik Maas and the occurrence of a lunar eclipse on March 3.

According to the traditional panchang interpretations, Holika Dahan is set to take place late at night on March 2, with the colourful celebrations for Dhulandi observed two days later on March 4. However, since official holiday announcements across various states have been different from each other, uncertainty remains.

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In certain North-Western and Central states, the festivities and puja rituals for the Holika Dahan will be hosted on March 2. The occasion will fall on the next day in the other parts of the region, with the Dhulandi celebrated the following morning.

Holi Date 2026: Holiday Status State-wise

State/Region	Main Holiday Date	Holika Dahan Status (March 3)	Details
Delhi NCR	March 4 (Wed)	Working Day	Schools and offices will have a restricted or public holiday on March 4.
Haryana	March 4 (Wed)	Working Day	Dhulandi is usually a public holiday in the state.
Punjab	March 4 (Wed)	Working Day	Schools will remain closed on March 4 for the festival of colours.
Rajasthan	March 4 (Wed)	Restricted/Working	Rajasthan usually observes a full public holiday on Holi. Some local schools may be also close on March 3 for community events.
Maharashtra	March 4 (Wed)	Working Day	Schools in Mumbai, Pune, and other cities are confirmed to be closed on Dhulandi

In Uttar Pradesh, there is a different kind of confusion about the festivities and overall Holi celebrations this time. The state government had announced that students can enjoy a prolonged observance of the festival in the first week of March.

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March 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday and is a regular weekly holiday for school students, according to the annual academic calendar released by the State Education Department. In certain schools, March 2 will see a close due to Holika Dahan and March 4 has been announced a holiday for the celebrations of Dhulandi.

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Since Holika Dahan is generally observed one day before the Holi festivities, there is confusion whether the UP government will also have March 3rd as a public holiday.

First Published:

February 26, 2026, 09:45 IST

News india Holi 2026: Is It A Public Holiday? State-Wise Schools, Banks Holiday List

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