Career

Jammu and Kashmir Public Holidays 2026

Published: November 23, 2025 Last modified: November 26, 2025 5 min read
Jammu & Kashmir Public Holidays List 2026

Key Highlights

  • Jammu and Kashmir is a mix of religious festivals, national holidays, and regional celebrations.
  • JK holidays include Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15.
  • The region celebrates traditional festivals like Lohri (in Jammu), Maha Shivaratri, and Baisakhi.
  • Jammu and Kashmir public holidays also include Islamic festivals, like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and Shab-e-Qadr.
  • JK bank holidays are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, which also include additional holidays on specific dates.
  • Other holidays in Kashmir include Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday, Mahashivaratri, and Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday.
  • The calendar 2026 J&K shows holidays, for example, Diwali on November 8 and Christmas on December 25, along with other regional festivals.

List of Jammu and Kashmir Public Holidays in 2026

The table below shows upcoming holidays in Jammu and Kashmir for 2026, along with other key festivals.

Sr No. Date Day Holiday Holiday Type
1 January 26 Sunday Republic Day National Holiday
2 February 15 Saturday Maha Shivaratri Religious Holiday
3 March 3 Tuesday Holi (Jammu Province only) Religious Holiday
4 March 17 Tuesday Shab-e-Qadr Religious Holiday
5 March 20 Friday Jamat-Ul-Vida Religious Holiday
6 March 20 Friday 1st Navratra Religious Holiday
7 March 21 Saturday Eid al-Fitr Religious Holiday
8 April 14 Tuesday Vaisakhi Religious Holiday
9 May 1 Friday Buddha Purnima Religious Holiday
10 May 27 Wednesday Eid al-Zuha Religious Holiday
11 May 28 Thursday Eid al-Zuha Holiday Religious Holiday
12 June 26 Friday Ashoora Religious Holiday
13 July 1 Wednesday Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday Religious Holiday
14 July 13 Sunday Martyr’s Day State Holiday
15 August 15 Saturday Independence Day National Holiday
16 August 25 Tuesday Eid-e-Milad Religious Holiday
17 September 4 Friday Shri Krishna Janmashtami Religious Holiday
18 October 2 Friday Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti National Holiday
19 October 21 Tuesday Vijaya Dashami Religious Holiday
20 November 8 Sunday Deepavali/Diwali Religious Holiday
21 December 5 Saturday Birthday of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah State Holiday
22 December 25 Friday Christmas Religious Holiday

FAQs

What are the Public Holidays in Jammu & Kashmir for 2026?

JK bank holidays include

  • Lohri (Jammu only)
  • Republic Day
  • Guru Ravi Das’ Birthday (Jammu only)
  • Mahashivaratri
  • Holi (Jammu only)
  • Eid-ul-Fitr
  • Independence Day
  • Janamashtami
  • Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday
  • Diwali
  • Christmas

Which Holidays are Specific to Jammu & Kashmir (and Not Just Nationwide)?

Holidays in Kashmir include Guru Ravi Das’ Birthday, Urs Shah-I-Hamdan Sahib, Mela Khir Bhawani, Urs Sheikh Noor-ud-din-Sahib, and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s Birthday, which are specific to parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

What is the Difference between Gazetted, Restricted, and Optional Holidays in Jammu and Kashmir?

Gazetted holidays are official J&K public holidays provided to all government offices. Employees can take restricted holidays based on their religion or culture. Optional holidays include local or regional festivals, during which employees can take leave according to the organizational policy.

When Will Banks be Closed in 2026 in Jammu & Kashmir?

JK bank holidays include Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Eid, Diwali, Christmas, and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Which Major Festivals/Holidays are Included in the 2026 List for Jammu & Kashmir?

Some of the major festivals include Lohri (Jammu), Holi (Jammu), Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Diwali, Eid-e-Milad, Maha Shivaratri, Buddha Purnima, Independence Day, and Christmas.

What are the Regional Holidays Specific to J & K in 2026?

Upcoming holidays in Jammu and Kashmir that are regional include Mela Khir Bhawani and Urs related to Kashmir, as well as Lohri and Guru Ravi Das’ birthday, which are specific to Jammu.

What is the Significance of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s Birthday Holiday?

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s Birthday is a regional holiday to honor the political leader and advocate of Jammu & Kashmir’s autonomy.

Which Holidays are Observed Only in the Kashmir Region in 2026?

Kashmir holidays include Urs Shah-i-Hamdan Sahib, Mela Khir Bhawani, Urs Sheikh Noor-ud-din Sahib, and several Islamic festivals, among others.

Which Holidays are Specific Only to the Jammu Region in 2026?

Lohri, Holi, and Guru Ravi Das’s birthday are examples of holidays specific to the Jammu region in 2026.

What is Jamat-Ul-Vida, and when is It Observed in 2026?

Jamat-ul-Vida marks the last Friday of Ramadan, a day for prayers and reflection, which is on March 20, 2026.

What is Martyrs’Day, and when is It Observed?

Martyrs’ Day honors those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and is observed on July 13, 2026, in Jammu & Kashmir.

Request Free Trial