January 2026 Calendar: Festivals, Fasts & Holidays

Why January 2026 Becomes A Planning Month

January 2026 is not just the opening of a new year, it also arrives as a real chance to shape the rest of the year with clarity. This single month holds national holidays, major religious observances, regional festivals and important fasting dates in such a way that careful attention can help balance work life, family time, travel and spiritual practice.

As soon as the year begins, people naturally look for which days would be best for leave, which dates are suitable for puja or vrat and where long weekends can be found. The January 2026 calendar is rich in this sense, since it carries Republic Day as a national holiday along with festivals like Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Vasant Panchami, Ratha Saptami and several other sacred days.

Major Public Holidays In January 2026

In January 2026 India will see a blend of nationwide observances and region specific holidays. On these days offices are quieter, schools often host cultural events and families find more scope to spend time together.

Date	Day	Holiday	Type and key features
1 January 2026	Thursday	New Year’s Day	Restricted holiday across India, a soft beginning to the year with family gatherings, rest and reflection
3 January 2026	Saturday	Hazrat Ali’s Birthday	Restricted holiday in several states, marked by prayers, gatherings and remembrance of Imam Ali
5 January 2026	Monday	Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti	Restricted in Punjab and some northern regions, observed with processions, kirtan and community meals
14 January 2026	Wednesday	Makar Sankranti	Gazetted or significant festival in many states, linked with Sun’s shift, harvest, sesame sweets and charity
14 to 15 January 2026	Wednesday to Thursday	Pongal	Key holiday in Tamil Nadu and parts of South India, with traditional rice dishes and worship of cattle and nature
15 January 2026	Thursday	Magh Bihu	Restricted holiday in Assam, celebrated with feasts, folk dances and bonfires at the close of the harvest
26 January 2026	Monday	Republic Day	Nationwide gazetted holiday with parades, flag hoisting and patriotic programmes across India

With these holidays in view, it becomes easier to pace projects, study schedules and family plans around the quieter days.

Important Hindu And Religious Days In January 2026

January 2026 is also spiritually dense. It features a series of vrats and tithis that belong to different traditions yet are commonly noted in many Hindu calendars.

Date	Day	Tithi and festival	Brief significance
1 January 2026	Thursday	Rohini Vrat	A significant Jain fast, often listed in Hindu almanacs, observed for family well being and inner discipline
3 January 2026	Saturday	Shakambhari Purnima	Full moon dedicated to Goddess Shakambhari, a day to seek nourishment, prosperity and protection
13 January 2026	Tuesday	Lohri	Bonfire festival of Punjab and North India, welcoming longer days with songs, family circles and traditional snacks
14 January 2026	Wednesday	Makar Sankranti and Pongal	Pan Indian harvest celebrations linked with the Sun’s transit into Makara Rashi, with kites in the North and festive dishes in the South
15 January 2026	Thursday	Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu	Assam’s harvest farewell with community feasts, dances and burning of meji structures to invite abundance
18 January 2026	Sunday	Mauni Amavasya	A new moon linked with silence, introspection and holy bathing, especially important for those observing Magha snan
22 January 2026	Thursday	Ganesha Jayanti	Day dedicated to Lord Ganesha, considered favourable for new beginnings, projects and seeking removal of obstacles
23 January 2026	Friday	Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Jayanti	Devoted to Goddess Saraswati, when students, artists and professionals pray for knowledge and creativity
25 January 2026	Sunday	Ratha Saptami and Narmada Jayanti	Ratha Saptami honours Surya as giver of health and vitality, while Narmada Jayanti marks reverence for the sacred river
26 January 2026	Monday	Bhishma Ashtami	Associated with Bhishma Pitamah, observed with remembrance, fasting and prayer for strength and righteousness
29 January 2026	Thursday	Jaya Ekadashi	A spiritually valued Ekadashi fast believed to support moving beyond past negativity and growing along a dharmic path

Many of these days carry traditions of snan, daan, mantra japa and quiet reflection, which can anchor the year’s spiritual rhythm.

Long Weekends And Break Options In January 2026

For many people the practical side of the calendar lies in how it can gently open up space for rest and travel. January 2026 offers some useful combinations that can be shaped into long weekends.

Republic Day Long Weekend

Towards the end of the month a natural long weekend appears around Republic Day.

• 24 January 2026, Saturday
• 25 January 2026, Sunday, with Ratha Saptami and Narmada Jayanti
• 26 January 2026, Monday, Republic Day

These three days are well suited for short trips, family visits, pilgrimages or simply taking a quiet pause at home. As 25 January already carries the energy of Surya worship, combining spiritual discipline with rest can make the break more balanced.

Vasant Panchami Linked Weekend

In regions where 23 January is observed with Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja and also associated with Netaji Jayanti, a gentle three day stretch emerges.

• 23 January 2026, Friday, Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Jayanti
• 24 January 2026, Saturday
• 25 January 2026, Sunday

These days can be used by students, writers and creative professionals to focus on study, skills and planning. Saraswati worship naturally supports quiet, structured effort and a thoughtful start to academic or artistic goals.

Extending The New Year Break

At the very beginning of the month, one extra day of leave can convert the New Year transition into a deeper reset.

• 1 January 2026, Thursday, New Year’s Day
• 2 January 2026, Friday, optional leave
• 3 January 2026, Saturday
• 4 January 2026, Sunday

This creates a four day window that can be used for travel, rest or working calmly on resolutions without rush.

Pongal And Magh Festival Cluster

For those in South India and the North East, the Pongal and Bihu period forms another natural cluster.

• 14 January 2026, Wednesday, Makar Sankranti and start of Pongal
• 15 January 2026, Thursday, Pongal and Magh Bihu
• 16 January 2026, Friday, possible leave
• 17 and 18 January 2026, Saturday and Sunday

This combination allows for four days of harvest festivities, family gatherings and local travel, while still keeping space for rest.

Using The January 2026 Calendar Wisely

The pattern of January 2026 suggests that thoughtful planning can make the month both productive and nourishing.

• Professionals and business owners can schedule key launches, meetings and travel around the known holiday clusters
• Students and aspirants for competitive exams can align deeper study days with Vasant Panchami, Jaya Ekadashi and Mauni Amavasya for added focus
• Families can weave together national holidays with spiritual observances like Makar Sankranti, Ratha Saptami, Ganesha Jayanti and Saraswati Puja to set a wholesome tone for the rest of the year

In this way January 2026 becomes more than a page on the calendar. It turns into a starting space where discipline, rest and devotion can all find their rightful place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the first major national holiday in India in January 2026
The first major national holiday is Republic Day on Monday, 26 January 2026. It is a gazetted holiday across India and is marked by parades, flag hoisting and patriotic observances in schools and public spaces.

When will Makar Sankranti be observed in 2026 and how is it celebrated
Makar Sankranti falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. It marks the Sun’s entry into Makara Rashi and is celebrated with sesame sweets, charity and kite flying in the North, while the South observes linked Pongal rituals with traditional dishes and gratitude for the harvest.

Which Hindu dates in January 2026 are especially helpful for spiritual practice
Rohini Vrat, Shakambhari Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Jaya Ekadashi, Ratha Saptami and Vasant Panchami stand out. These days invite fasting, mantra recitation, snan and study, helping to stabilise the mind and deepen spiritual discipline early in the year.

Is there a good long weekend for family travel in January 2026
Yes, the combination of 24 January Saturday, 25 January Sunday and 26 January Monday Republic Day creates a natural three day long weekend. The cluster around 23 to 25 January linked with Vasant Panchami can also serve as a family or study focused break in some regions.

Which part of January 2026 is most supportive for study and career planning
The period around Vasant Panchami on 23 January is especially supportive for learning and creative work. Along with this, days like Mauni Amavasya, Jaya Ekadashi and Ratha Saptami can be used for quiet review of goals, disciplined planning and strengthening inner clarity.