Skip to main content

Himachal Pradesh Holiday Calendar 2026: State Foundation, Public & Commercial Holidays

In Himachal Pradesh, public, commercial, and industrial workplace holidays are regulated under the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays and Casual and Sick Leave) Act, 1969, the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1969, and notifications issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Enterprises in Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh (pharma & industrial belts), Shimla, and Dharamshala must structure their annual leave calendars in accordance with state statutory minimums.

HP Statutory Mandate (8 Paid Holidays)

Under Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Establishments Act, 1969: Every worker is entitled to at least 8 paid holidays per year, including the 3 National Holidays (26 January, 15 August, 2 October) and 5 Festival Holidays agreed upon between management and workers.

📅 Official Himachal Pradesh Statutory Holiday Calendar 2026​

DateDayHoliday / OccasionClassificationMandatory for Private Sector?
05-01-2026MondayGuru Gobind Singh JayantiState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
25-01-2026SundayStatehood Day (Himachal Statehood)State Foundation DayYes (Sunday Overlap)
26-01-2026MondayRepublic DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
18-02-2026WednesdayMaha ShivratriGazette / NI ActYes (High Regional Priority)
03-03-2026TuesdayHoliGazette / NI ActYes
21-03-2026SaturdayId-ul-Fitr (Ramzan)Gazette / NI ActYes
27-03-2026FridayRam NavamiGazette / NI ActOptional
01-04-2026WednesdayAnnual Bank Account ClosingNI Act (Sec 25)Banks Only
03-04-2026FridayGood FridayGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)
14-04-2026TuesdayDr. B.R. Ambedkar JayantiState & National GazetteYes
15-04-2026WednesdayHimachal DayState Foundation DayYes (Major State Mandate)
01-05-2026FridayLabour Day / May DayGazette / RegionalYes (Industrial Priority)
02-05-2026SaturdayBuddha PurnimaGazette / NI ActOptional
27-05-2026WednesdayBakrid (Id-ul-Zuha)Gazette / NI ActYes
25-06-2026ThursdayMuharramGazette / NI ActOptional / Floating
15-08-2026SaturdayIndependence DayNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
04-09-2026FridayKrishna JanmashtamiState Gazetted / RegionalYes (High Regional Priority)
02-10-2026FridayMahatma Gandhi JayantiNational HolidayYes (Mandatory Paid Off)
20-10-2026TuesdayDussehra (Kullu Dussehra Opening)State Gazetted / RegionalYes (Major State Priority)
26-10-2026MondayMaharshi Valmiki JayantiState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Floating
08-11-2026SundayDiwaliGazette / NI ActYes (Sunday Overlap)
09-11-2026MondayGovardhan PoojaState Gazetted / RegionalOptional / Regional
24-11-2026TuesdayGuru Nanak JayantiGazette / NI ActOptional
25-12-2026FridayChristmasGazette / NI ActYes (Corporate Off)

📋 Employer Compliance Checklist for Himachal Pradesh​

  1. Submission of Statement of Proposed Holidays: Employers must submit proposed festival holidays to the local Labour Officer before 31st December.
  2. Display on Notice Board: Exhibit the approved schedule on the establishment notice board by 1st January.
  3. Double Wages or Comp-Off: Provide double the ordinary daily wages (200%), or regular pay plus a paid substitute holiday within 30 days to employees who work on a declared holiday.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

1. What is the difference between Statehood Day and Himachal Day?​

Statehood Day (January 25th) marks Himachal Pradesh attaining full statehood in 1971, while Himachal Day (April 15th) commemorates the province's initial creation in 1948. Both are celebrated as prominent state public holidays.

2. Is Kullu Dussehra celebrated with official public holidays?​

Yes. The international folk festival of Kullu Dussehra is of profound cultural significance, and the opening day of Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) is an official gazetted public holiday across the state.