Planning for the year 2026 is essential, whether you are a government employee, a banking professional, or simply someone who wants to stay organized. For the residents of Bihar, the official Bihar Calendar 2026 is more than just a date tracker; it is a cultural roadmap that highlights the state’s vibrant festivals, important government holidays, and regional observances.
This article serves as your ultimate guide to the Bihar Government Calendar 2026. We provide a comprehensive list of all public holidays, optional holidays, bank holidays, and key cultural events. Plus, we’ll guide you on how to download the free PDF version to keep on your device or print for your wall.
Bihar Government Holiday List 2026: A Detailed Breakdown
The Bihar golidays into two main categories: Gazetted (Public) Holidays and Optional (Restricted) Holidays.
- Gazetted Holidays: These are mandatory holidays where all government offices, banks, and educational institutions remain closed.
- Optional Holidays: Employees can choose a limited number of these holidays based on their personal religious or cultural preferences.
Here is the detailed list of holidays for the Bihar Calendar 2026.
Bihar Gazetted & Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 January 2026 | Monday | Republic Day | National |
| 3 March 2026 | Tuesday | Holi (Dhulandi) | Religious |
| 22 March 2026 | Sunday | Bihar Diwas | State-Specific |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Religious |
| 14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti | National/Regional |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | May Day (Labour Day) | State-Specific |
| 8 May 2026 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Religious |
| 11 June 2026 | Thursday | Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)* | Religious |
| 10 July 2026 | Friday | Muharram* | Religious |
| 15 August 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day | National |
| 28 August 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami | Religious |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | National |
| 5 October 2026 | Monday | Durga Puja (Maha Navami) | Religious |
| 6 October 2026 | Tuesday | Vijayadashami (Dussehra) | Religious |
| 8 November 2026 | Sunday | Diwali (Laxmi Pujan) | Religious |
| 16 November 2026 | Monday | Chhath Puja (Usha Arghya)** | State-Specific |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
*Subject to moon sighting and may vary by a day.
***Chhath Puja is the most significant festival in Bihar. While the main offerings are on the 15th and 16th, the four-day festival begins on November 13th.*
Bihar Optional Holidays 2026
Employees can choose any three of the following optional holidays, subject to departmental approval:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 30 January 2026 | Friday | Vasant Panchami |
| 15 February 2026 | Sunday | Sant Ravidas Jayanti |
| 18 February 2026 | Wednesday | Guru Ravidas Jayanti |
| 22 February 2026 | Sunday | Maha Shivratri |
| 31 March 2026 | Tuesday | Eid-ul-Fitr* |
| 2 April 2026 | Thursday | Ram Navami |
| 23 April 2026 | Thursday | Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti |
| 2 May 2026 | Saturday | Janki Navami |
| 29 June 2026 | Monday | Kabir Jayanti |
| 9 September 2026 | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi (Eid-e-Milad)* |
| 3 November 2026 | Tuesday | Chitragupta Puja |
| 13 November 2026 | Friday | Chhath Puja (Nahay Khay) |
| 15 November 2026 | Sunday | Chhath Puja (Sandhya Arghya) |
| 3 December 2026 | Thursday | Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jayanti |
*Dates for Islamic holidays are tentative and depend on the lunar calendar.
Bihar Bank Holidays 2026
For banking professionals in Bihar, holidays are governed by the Negotiable Instruments Act and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), combined with the state’s specific holiday list. In addition to the gazetted holidays listed above, banks remain closed on:
- All Sundays (Weekly off)
- Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month.
Total Bank Holidays in Bihar for 2026: The total number of days banks are closed (including Sundays, 2nd/4th Saturdays, and public holidays) is expected to be between 100 and 106 days.
Month-by-Month Cultural Summary for 2026
Understanding the cultural landscape of Bihar in 2026 helps in better planning.
- January (मकर संक्रांति): The year starts with Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), a harvest festival celebrated with fairs and the famous “Dahi-Chura” (flattened rice with yogurt). Republic Day rounds off the month.
- March (होली & बिहार दिवस): This is a busy month. Holi (March 3rd & 4th) paints the state in color. Bihar Diwas (March 22) celebrates the state’s formation with cultural events. Chaitra Chhath also occurs this month.
- April (नवरात्र & राम नवमी): The month sees the Chaitra Navratri celebrations, culminating in Ram Navami (April 2nd). Good Friday is also observed.
- August (स्वतंत्रता दिवस & जन्माष्टमी): Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting, followed by the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami (Aug 28).
- October (दुर्गा पूजा & दशहरा): The biggest festival for many Biharis. The ten days of Navratri lead to Dussehra (Oct 6), marked by the burning of Ravan’s effigies and grand processions.
- November (दिवाली & छठ): The festival of lights, Diwali (Nov 8), illuminates every home. Just days later, Bihar observes its “Greatest Festival,” Chhath Puja (Nov 13-16), where devotees offer prayers to the Sun God at riverbanks. This is a period of unparalleled cultural significance in the state.
- December (क्रिसमस): The year ends with Christmas celebrations across the state.
Download Bihar Calendar 2026 PDF (Free)
To make your planning easier, we have compiled the complete Bihar Calendar 2026 into a single, high-quality PDF file. This printable calendar includes all the holidays, festivals, and important dates mentioned above in a clean, month-by-month format.
Click the link below to download your free copy:
>>> Download Bihar Calendar 2026 PDF (Full Year) <<<
(Note: If you are reading this early in the year and the official PDF is not yet released by the government, bookmark this page. We will update the download link as soon as the Gazette notification is published.)
Tips for Planning Your 2026 in Bihar
- Book Travel Early for Chhath: Chhath Puja (November) is when the maximum number of people travel back to their hometowns in Bihar. If you plan to travel during this time, book your train or flight tickets months in advance.
- Combine Optional Holidays: Look at the list of optional holidays. Strategically combine them with weekends or gazetted holidays to plan longer vacations.
- Check Lunar Dates: Islamic holidays (Eid, Muharram) are tentative and confirmed only upon moon sighting. Always check local announcements a day prior.
- School Schedules: Parents should note that schools in Bihar will remain closed during the extreme summer heat (usually June) and for the winter break (late December).
Conclusion
The Bihar Calendar 2026 is a testament to the state’s rich cultural fabric, balancing national pride with deep-rooted traditions. Whether you are marking the dates for the vibrant colors of Holi, the spiritual devotion of Chhath, or the national pride of Republic Day, this guide provides everything you need.