Table of Contents
Key Highlights-
- Karnataka holidays in 2026 blend tradition with modernity, featuring national, regional, and cultural festivals showcasing the state’s rich heritage and vibrant traditions.
- The holiday list includes major public and government holidays such as New Year’s Day, Republic Day, Independence Day, Kannada Rajyotsava, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, and Christmas.
- Notable state-specific holidays include Kannada Rajyotsava, celebrated on November 1st, uniting Kannada-speaking regions with parades and cultural events; Mysore Dasara, a 10-day festival centered on Mysuru’s majestic celebrations; and Ugadi, marking the Hindu New Year in Karnataka.
- Bank holidays in Karnataka are observed on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month, with some flexibility by industry.
- Several unique regional festivals are recognized, such as the Kambala Festival (buffalo racing) and the Hampi Festival (cultural performances and royal elephant parade).
List of Restricted Holidays in Karnataka for 2026
Here is the requested data converted into a simple table format:
| Date (2026) | Day | Holiday Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | General Holiday |
| January 14 | Wednesday | Uttarayana Punyakala / Makar Sankranti | General Holiday |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day | National Holiday |
| February 15 | Sunday | Maha Shivratri | General Holiday |
| March 19 | Thursday | Ugadi Festival | General Holiday (State) |
| March 21* | Saturday | Khutba-e-Ramzan (Eid al-Fitr) | General Holiday |
| March 31 | Tuesday | Mahaveer Jayanti | General Holiday |
| April 01 | Wednesday | Annual Accounts Closing | Bank Holiday Only |
| April 03 | Friday | Good Friday | General Holiday |
| April 14 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti | General Holiday |
| April 20 | Monday | Basava Jayanti / Akshaya Tritiya | General Holiday (State) |
| May 01 | Friday | May Day / Labour Day | General Holiday |
| May 28* | Thursday | Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) | General Holiday |
| June 26* | Friday | Last Day of Muharram | General Holiday |
| August 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| August 26* | Wednesday | Eid Milad-un-Nabi | General Holiday |
| September 14 | Monday | Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vratha (Ganesh Chaturthi) | General Holiday |
| October 02 | Friday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | National Holiday |
| October 10 | Saturday | Mahalaya Amavasya | General Holiday |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Mahanavami / Ayudha Puja | General Holiday |
| October 21 | Wednesday | Vijayadashami | General Holiday |
| October 26 | Monday | Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti | General Holiday (State) |
| November 01 | Sunday | Kannada Rajyotsava | General Holiday (State) |
| November 08 | Sunday | Naraka Chaturdashi | General Holiday |
| November 10 | Tuesday | Balipadyami (Deepavali) | General Holiday |
| November 27 | Friday | Kanakadasa Jayanthi | General Holiday (State) |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas | General Holiday |
Note: Bank holidays in Karnataka are observed on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month. Some holidays may vary from industry to industry
State-Specific Holidays in Karnataka
Karnataka Rajyotsava
The festival of honouring the day of Karnataka Foundation, which is celebrated on November 1st of every year. This unites all Kannada-speaking regions under one state. It is marked by parades, cultural shows, and flag-hoisting ceremonies. Karnataka Rajyotsava commemorates the state’s art, literature, traditions, and shared cultural values.
Mysore Dasara
A 10-day celebration held in the city ‘Mysuru’ symbolised the victory of good over evil by goddess Chamundeshwari’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura. In those 10 days, the city features daily cultural performances, art shows, exhibitions, sports contests, and folk events. The centre of attraction is Mysore Palace, which is illuminated with 1,00,000 bulbs.
Ugadi
Ugadi, also known as Yugadi in Karnataka. As per the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated as the New Year for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Ugadi falls on the first day of Chaitra/March, where everyone starts the day with a cleansing ritual (oil bath), home decoration with mango leaves, rangoli, and prayers.
Hampi Festival
This is also known as Hampi Utsava or Vijaya Utsav, is the most famous festival celebrated in the city of Hampi. This event lasts for three days and includes traditional dance performances (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi), music concerts, and puppet shows. The showstopper of this festival is Jumbo Savari, where a royal elephant marches in the parade along with the grand fireworks.
Kambala Festival
The most unique and adventurous festival celebrated in Karnataka is the Kambala Festival, celebrated in the coastal regions of the state. It involves the race between pairs of buffalo in a muddy field, guided by a farmer, focusing on speed, skill, and control. The festival starts with a inaugural ceremony where all participants parade in that mud field with their buffalos.
View State Holiday Calendars for 2026
FAQs on Karnataka Holidays in 2026
What are the Government Holidays in Karnataka for 2026?
The Karnataka holidays for 2026 include national holidays like Republic Day and Independence Day, alongside state-specific festivals such as Kannada Rajyotsava, Basava Jayanti, Kanakadasa Jayanthi, and Ugadi.
How Can I Find out about the Upcoming Bank Holidays in Karnataka?
You can find out about upcoming bank holidays in Karnataka through the government’s official DPAR website, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday list for the Bangalore region, and official banking calendars.
How Many Public Holidays are there in Karnataka in 2026?
Based on the 2026 calendar, there are approximately 22 to 26 public holidays in Karnataka. This includes major festivals, national days, and state-specific observances like Mahalaya Amavasya and Valmiki Jayanti.
Where Can I Find the Official List of Holidays for the Karnataka Government in 2026?
The most reliable source is the official notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), Government of Karnataka, which is typically published in late November or December of the preceding year.
What are the Local Holidays in Karnataka?
Key local and regional holidays in Karnataka include Kannada Rajyotsava (State Formation Day), Ugadi (New Year), Basava Jayanti, Kanakadasa Jayanthi, and Ayudha Puja.
Does Karnataka have Its Own Regional Holidays?
Yes, Karnataka has unique regional holidays such as Kannada Rajyotsava, Basava Jayanthi, Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti, and Kanakadasa Jayanthi that are celebrated with state-wide government closures.
When is Kannada Rajyotsava Celebrated in 2026?
Kannada Rajyotsava will be celebrated on Sunday, November 01, 2026.
Can Employees Request Compensatory Leave if They Work on a Holiday?
Yes, private sector employees can generally request Compensatory Off (Com-Off) if they are required to work on a declared Public or National Holiday, subject to their company’s specific HR policies.
Are Kail Pola or Other Rural Festivals Observed?
Yes, festivals like Kail Pola (worship of weapons/farming tools) are significantly observed by the Kodava community in the Kodagu district. While not always a state-wide General Holiday, district administrations often declare a local holiday for such events.
Are Banks Closed on all Government Holidays in Karnataka?
Banks are closed on all Gazetted Government Holidays, as well as on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month. However, some state-specific holidays (like certain Jayantis) may be working days for banks depending on the Negotiable Instruments Act notification.
How Many Holidays Will Karnataka Government Employees Get in 2026?
Karnataka government employees will typically get approximately 22 to 25 General Holidays in 2026. Additionally, they are usually entitled to choose 2 Restricted Holidays (RH) from a separate optional list.
Can HR Teams Use the Karnataka Holiday Calendar for Leave Planning?
Yes, HR teams should use the Karnataka holiday calendar to plan leave schedules. It helps in identifying mandatory closures (like Rajyotsava or May Day), managing long weekends, and calculating holiday pay for employees working in shifts.
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