Your Ultimate Guide to the Indian Festival Calendar (2025-2030): Plan Your Celebrations

India is a land of timeless traditions, where the calendar year is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of faith, folklore, and festivity. From the explosive colors of Holi to the serene lights of Diwali, each festival tells a story and offers a unique window into the soul of this diverse nation.

Whether you’re planning a trip to experience the magic firsthand, connecting with family traditions, or simply curious about India’s rich cultural heritage, this guide to the major Indian festivals from 2025 to 2030 is your essential companion.

A Quick Note on Dates: Many Indian festivals follow the lunisolar calendar, so their dates on the Gregorian (Western) calendar change slightly each year. The exact dates can also vary by region based on local customs and moon sightings.

Indian Festival Calendar: 2025 – 2030

Here is a year-by-year breakdown of the most widely celebrated festivals across India.

📅 2025

• Makar Sankranti / Pongal: January 14, 2025 (Tuesday)
• Vasant Panchami: February 2, 2025 (Sunday)
• Maha Shivratri: February 26, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Holi: March 14, 2025 (Friday)
• Ram Navami: April 6, 2025 (Sunday)
• Mahavir Jayanti: April 10, 2025 (Thursday)
• Good Friday: April 18, 2025 (Friday)
• Eid al-Fitr (Estimated): March 31, 2025 (Monday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Hanuman Jayanti: April 12, 2025 (Saturday)
• Vaisakhi / Vishu / Pohela Boishakh: April 14, 2025 (Monday)
• Eid al-Adha (Estimated): June 7, 2025 (Saturday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Raksha Bandhan: August 3, 2025 (Sunday)
• Janmashtami: August 16, 2025 (Saturday)
• Ganesh Chaturthi: August 29, 2025 (Friday)
• Onam: September 6, 2025 (Saturday) (Thiruvonam)
• Navratri Begins: September 22, 2025 (Monday)
• Dussehra (Vijayadashami): October 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Karva Chauth: October 11, 2025 (Saturday)
• Diwali: October 20, 2025 (Monday)
• Govardhan Puja: October 21, 2025 (Tuesday)
• Bhai Dooj: October 22, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Chhath Puja: October 25, 2025 (Saturday)
• Guru Nanak Jayanti: November 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Christmas: December 25, 2025 (Thursday)

📅 2026

• Makar Sankranti / Pongal: January 14, 2026 (Wednesday)
• Vasant Panchami: January 23, 2026 (Friday)
• Maha Shivratri: February 15, 2026 (Sunday)
• Holi: March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Ram Navami: March 26, 2026 (Thursday)
• Mahavir Jayanti: March 29, 2026 (Sunday)
• Good Friday: April 3, 2026 (Friday)
• Eid al-Fitr (Estimated): March 21, 2026 (Saturday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Hanuman Jayanti: April 2, 2026 (Thursday)
• Vaisakhi / Vishu / Pohela Boishakh: April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Eid al-Adha (Estimated): May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Raksha Bandhan: August 22, 2026 (Saturday)
• Janmashtami: September 5, 2026 (Saturday)
• Ganesh Chaturthi: September 17, 2026 (Thursday)
• Onam: August 27, 2026 (Thursday) (Thiruvonam)
• Navratri Begins: September 12, 2026 (Saturday)
• Dussehra (Vijayadashami): September 21, 2026 (Monday)
• Karva Chauth: October 30, 2026 (Friday)
• Diwali: November 8, 2026 (Sunday)
• Govardhan Puja: November 9, 2026 (Monday)
• Bhai Dooj: November 10, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Chhath Puja: November 12, 2026 (Thursday)
• Guru Nanak Jayanti: November 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Christmas: December 25, 2026 (Friday)

📅 2027

• Makar Sankranti / Pongal: January 14, 2027 (Thursday)
• Vasant Panchami: February 11, 2027 (Thursday)
• Maha Shivratri: February 5, 2027 (Friday)
• Holi: March 23, 2027 (Tuesday)
• Ram Navami: April 14, 2027 (Wednesday)
• Mahavir Jayanti: April 18, 2027 (Sunday)
• Good Friday: March 26, 2027 (Friday)
• Eid al-Fitr (Estimated): March 11, 2027 (Thursday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Hanuman Jayanti: April 13, 2027 (Tuesday)
• Vaisakhi / Vishu / Pohela Boishakh: April 14, 2027 (Wednesday)
• Eid al-Adha (Estimated): May 17, 2027 (Monday) (Subject to moon sighting)
• Raksha Bandhan: August 11, 2027 (Wednesday)
• Janmashtami: August 25, 2027 (Wednesday)
• Ganesh Chaturthi: September 7, 2027 (Tuesday)
• Onam: September 15, 2027 (Wednesday) (Thiruvonam)
• Navratri Begins: October 2, 2027 (Saturday)
• Dussehra (Vijayadashami): October 11, 2027 (Monday)
• Karva Chauth: October 20, 2027 (Wednesday)
• Diwali: October 29, 2027 (Friday)
• Govardhan Puja: October 30, 2027 (Saturday)
• Bhai Dooj: October 31, 2027 (Sunday)
• Chhath Puja: November 2, 2027 (Tuesday)
• Guru Nanak Jayanti: November 13, 2027 (Saturday)
• Christmas: December 25, 2027 (Saturday)

(The cycle continues similarly for 2028, 2029, and 2030. The key is that most festivals shift back by 10-11 days each year, except for those fixed to the solar calendar like Pongal and Vaisakhi, which remain on the 14th/15th.)

Tips for Experiencing Indian Festivals

1. Plan Travel and Accommodation Early: Major festivals like Diwali, Durga Puja, and Kumbh Mela see massive domestic travel. Book flights and hotels months in advance.
2. Embrace the Chaos: Festivals are loud, crowded, and incredibly energetic. Go with the flow and soak in the atmosphere.
3. Dress Modestly at Religious Sites: When visiting temples or mosques, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered as a sign of respect.
4. Ask Before You Photograph: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially during private rituals.
5. Indulge in the Food: Festivals are a culinary delight. Try the special sweets and savory dishes prepared for each occasion.
6. Be Mindful of Regional Variations: A festival celebrated in West Bengal (Durga Puja) will look very different from how it’s celebrated in Karnataka (Mysuru Dasara).

A Journey Through Time and Tradition

The Indian festival calendar is more than just a list of dates; it’s the heartbeat of the nation. It represents a cyclical journey from sowing to harvest, from darkness to light, and from introspection to jubilant celebration.

We hope this guide helps you plan, prepare, and appreciate the magnificent spectrum of Indian festivals. Mark your calendars, open your heart, and get ready to be part of a celebration that is as ancient as it is alive.

Wishing you a year filled with joy, light, and celebration!

Disclaimer: The dates for Islamic festivals (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) are estimates based on astronomical calculations. The actual date may vary by a day depending on the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia or locally. Dates for Hindu festivals may also sometimes vary by a day based on regional interpretations of the lunar calendar.