Celebrations are the heartbeat of life. They’re the colourful pauses in our busy schedules that bring family, friends, and communities together. But have you ever found yourself wondering, “When is Diwali this year?” or “Is Eid falling on a weekend?” Or maybe you’ve realised too late that you didn’t budget enough for that big celebration?
That’s where our Festivals Date Finder comes in — your personal companion for knowing exactly when the most important days and festivals will happen in 2025 and 2026, and how to plan them without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we’ll give you:
- A full list of major days and festivals for 2025–2026
- Tips for smart financial planning around celebrations
- Real-life examples of how early planning makes festivals stress-free
- Emotional touches that remind us why we celebrate in the first place
Why Knowing Your Festival Dates Early Matters
When it comes to days and festivals, timing is everything.
- Work Leave Planning → Knowing dates early helps you apply for leave before everyone else.
- Travel Arrangements → Book flights, trains, and hotels at cheaper rates.
- Financial Planning → You can spread your expenses across months instead of facing a last-minute cash crunch.
- Family Coordination → Cousins, relatives, and friends from other cities can align their plans.
Think about it:
If you know Diwali 2025 is on October 21, you can start saving ₹2,000 every month from January instead of scrambling to arrange ₹20,000 in October. That’s smart festival financial planning in action.
Complete Festivals Date Finder: 2025–2026
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of when most days and festivals will be celebrated in 2025 and 2026. (Dates may vary slightly based on location and lunar calendar updates.)
Festivals & Special Days in 2025
January 2025
- 1 Jan – New Year’s Day
- 14 Jan – Makar Sankranti / Pongal
- 26 Jan – Republic Day (India)
February 2025
- 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day
- 26 Feb – Maha Shivratri
March 2025
- 14 Mar – Holi
- 30 Mar – Easter Sunday
April 2025
- 13 Apr – Baisakhi
- 18 Apr – Good Friday
- 20 Apr – Easter Monday
May 2025
- 12 May – Buddha Purnima
- 31 May – Eid al-Adha* (Tentative, based on moon sighting)
June 2025
- 8 Jun – World Environment Day
- 21 Jun – International Yoga Day
July 2025
- 9 Jul – Muharram*
- 26 Jul – Guru Purnima
August 2025
- 15 Aug – Independence Day (India)
- 16 Aug – Raksha Bandhan
- 27 Aug – Janmashtami
September 2025
- 5 Sep – Teacher’s Day
- 22 Sep – Ganesh Chaturthi
October 2025
- 2 Oct – Gandhi Jayanti
- 21 Oct – Diwali
- 23 Oct – Govardhan Puja
- 24 Oct – Bhai Dooj
November 2025
- 1 Nov – Chhath Puja
- 14 Nov – Children’s Day
- 26 Nov – Constitution Day
December 2025
- 25 Dec – Christmas
- 31 Dec – New Year’s Eve
Festivals & Special Days in 2026
January 2026
- 1 Jan – New Year’s Day
- 15 Jan – Makar Sankranti
- 26 Jan – Republic Day
February 2026
- 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day
- 15 Feb – Maha Shivratri
March 2026
- 3 Mar – Holi
- 5 Apr – Easter Sunday
April 2026
- 13 Apr – Baisakhi
- 18 Apr – Good Friday
May 2026
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 30 May – Eid al-Adha*
June 2026
- 21 Jun – International Yoga Day
July 2026
- 19 Jul – Muharram*
August 2026
- 15 Aug – Independence Day
- 5 Aug – Raksha Bandhan
- 15 Aug – Janmashtami
September 2026
- 14 Sep – Ganesh Chaturthi
October 2026
- 2 Oct – Gandhi Jayanti
- 8 Oct – Dussehra
- 9 Nov – Diwali
November 2026
- 10 Nov – Govardhan Puja
- 11 Nov – Bhai Dooj
December 2026
- 25 Dec – Christmas
- 31 Dec – New Year’s Eve
Festival Financial Planning: How to Celebrate Without Overspending
Here’s where days, festivals, and financial planning come together beautifully.
You don’t have to cut corners on joy — you just need to spread your expenses wisely.
Step 1: Start a Festival Fund
- Open a separate savings account or jar for festival expenses.
- Deposit a fixed amount every month — for example, ₹1,000–₹2,000.
Step 2: Make a Budget List
For each festival:
- Gifts – Set a realistic spending limit.
- Travel – Book early to save on tickets.
- Food & Decoration – Buy non-perishables in advance.
Step 3: Use EMI Wisely
If you’re making a big purchase (like electronics during Diwali), use an EMI calculator to see if you can afford it without impacting your daily expenses.
Step 4: Avoid Last-Minute Shopping
Impulse purchases are budget killers. Prepare your checklist 2–3 weeks before the festival.
Step 5: Mix Tradition with Smart Choices
For example, during Raksha Bandhan, instead of only buying expensive gifts, consider gifting investment-linked options like a small SIP or a gold coin.
Real-Life Example: How Early Planning Saved the Day
In 2024, Rina, a working professional from Mumbai, started checking her festivals date finder in January. She noted that Ganesh Chaturthi was in September, Diwali in late October, and Christmas in December.
She decided to save ₹3,000 per month in her “Festival Fund.” By the time Diwali came around, she had ₹27,000 saved — enough for gifts, clothes, home décor, and even a short family trip.
Her friends, who didn’t plan, ended up swiping their credit cards and paying interest later.
Why Emotional Planning Matters Too
Festivals are not just about days on the calendar — they are about feelings, connections, and traditions. When we know the dates early and plan well, we free our minds from money stress and can focus on creating lasting memories.
A Festivals Date Finder is a yearly calendar or guide that lists the dates of important days, festivals, and events. It helps you plan celebrations, travel, and finances well in advance.
You can refer to the Festivals Date Finder 2025–2026 in this blog, which provides month-by-month details. You can also download our free PDF version to keep handy.
Knowing festival dates early helps in financial planning, booking travel at lower prices, scheduling leaves from work, and preparing for celebrations without last-minute stress.
Start a Festival Fund savings plan.
Make a checklist for gifts, decorations, and travel.
Buy non-perishable items in advance.
Use EMI calculators for large purchases to avoid overspending.
In India, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Durga Puja, and weddings usually involve the highest spending on gifts, clothes, travel, and celebrations.
No. Many festivals are based on the lunar calendar, so dates change every year. Always check an updated list like our Festivals Date Finder before planning.
Absolutely. Businesses can use festival date lists to prepare marketing campaigns, festive sales, and seasonal promotions in advance.
The simplest way is to set aside a small amount every month starting from the beginning of the year. This ensures you have enough funds without hurting your regular budget.
Shop for clothes and decor 2–3 weeks before.
Book travel and accommodation early.
Prepare a festival checklist and stick to it
You can download our Free Festival Calendar PDF linked in this blog for quick reference anytime.
