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Goa Holiday Calendar 2026: Carnival, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Public & Commercial Holidays

In Goa, public, commercial, and industrial workplace holidays are regulated under the Goa, Daman and Diu Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1988, the Goa Shops and Establishments Act, 1973, and notifications published by the General Administration Department, Government of Goa under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Hospitality companies, IT firms, manufacturing units in Verna and Kundaim, and retail establishments must observe the state's cultural celebrations—including Goa Liberation Day, Goa Statehood Day, Carnival, and Christian feast days.

Goa Statutory Mandate (8 Paid Holidays)

Under Section 3 of the Goa Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1988: Every employee is entitled to not less than 8 paid holidays per year, which must include:

  1. Republic Day (26 January)
  2. May Day (1 May)
  3. Independence Day (15 August)
  4. Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
  5. Goa Liberation Day (19 December)
  6. 3 Additional Festival Holidays determined in consultation with employees.

📅 Official Goa Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
01-01-2026ThursdayNew Year's DayGazette / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
16-02-2026MondayGoa Carnival (Shrove Monday)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major Cultural Festival)
17-02-2026TuesdayGoa Carnival (Shrove Tuesday)State Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha ShivratriGazette / NI ActOptional
03-03-2026TuesdayHoli / Shigmo (Second Day)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festival)
19-03-2026ThursdayGudi PadwaState Gazetted / RegionalYes (Regional Priority)
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Ramzan)Gazette / NI ActYes
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)
14-04-2026TuesdayDr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
01-05-2026FridayMay DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Statutory Mandate)
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Zuha)Gazette / NI ActYes
30-05-2026SaturdayGoa Statehood DayState Foundation DayYes (State Mandate)
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
14-09-2026MondayGanesh Chaturthi (1st Day)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
15-09-2026TuesdayGanesh Chaturthi (2nd Day)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Festive Block)
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehra (Vijayadashami)Gazette / NI ActYes
08-11-2026SundayDiwali (Deepavali)Gazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
03-12-2026ThursdayFeast of St. Francis Xavier (Goencho Saib)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Cultural Priority)
19-12-2026SaturdayGoa Liberation DayState Mandatory HolidayYes (Statutory Mandate under Sec 3)
25-12-2026FridayChristmas DayGazette / NI ActYes (Major State Priority)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Goa​

  1. Submission of Statement: Submit proposed festival holidays to the local Inspector of Factories or Labour Inspector before 31st December.
  2. Display of Notice: Exhibit the approved schedule on the workplace notice board by 1st January.
  3. Double Wages: Any employee working on an approved holiday must be compensated at double ordinary wages (200%), or normal daily pay plus a substitute paid day off within 90 days.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. Is Goa Liberation Day (December 19th) a mandatory paid holiday?​

Yes. Under Section 3 of the Goa NFH Act, Goa Liberation Day (marking the liberation of Goa in 1961) is a legally entrenched compulsory paid holiday across all sectors.

2. Is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier a public holiday in Goa?​

Yes. 3rd December marks the Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Patron Saint of Goa) and is an official state gazetted holiday observed by schools, offices, courts, and commercial entities.