India festivals and events 2027: month-by-month calendar

How to read this calendar

India's central government had not published a readable 2027 holiday list when we checked, and each state sets its own holidays. The national dates here come from the 2027 holiday calendar published by India's High Commission in Pretoria, cross-checked with the Consulate General in Belfast, and the festival details from the Ministry of Tourism. Those lists show the dates of the festivals, not which shops or sights close in each state, so check locally.

Muslim holidays depend on the sighting of the moon and can move by a day. Holi follows the full moon; the missions list 23 March, but we treat the exact day as to be confirmed until India's own calendar is out.

January to March: Magh Mela, Republic Day, Eid and Holi

The Magh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, runs from Friday 15 January to Saturday 6 March, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Pilgrims bathe at the Triveni Sangam, the meeting of the rivers, attend religious discourses and stay in riverside camps; the ministry describes very large gatherings.

Republic Day, Tuesday 26 January, is a national day; if you are in Delhi or another big city that day, note that the UK Foreign Office advises particular care at events of national significance, when local authorities may impose restrictions.

Eid ul-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, is listed for Wednesday 10 March and can move by a day with the moon.

Holi, the festival of colours, falls on the full moon in March; the 2027 mission calendars list Tuesday 23 March. People throw coloured water and powder in the streets, and bonfires (Holika Dahan) are lit the evening before. Wear clothes you do not mind ruining. Good Friday is 26 March.

April and May: Ram Navami, Eid ul-Adha and Buddha Purnima

Ram Navami, a Hindu festival, is listed for Thursday 15 April.

Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid) is listed for Monday 17 May, subject to the moon.

Buddha Purnima, Thursday 20 May, is the Buddhist holy day.

August: Independence Day

Independence Day, Sunday 15 August, is a national day; the UK Foreign Office again advises particular care around it. The Prophet's Birthday (Milad-un-Nabi) is also listed for 15 August, subject to the moon.

October: Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali

Gandhi Jayanti, Saturday 2 October, marks Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.

Durga Puja is celebrated in Kolkata and across West Bengal, with five main ritual days, from Shashthi to Dashami, ending at Vijaya Dashami. Expect pandals, the temporary shrines with Durga images, lights, music and very large crowds. In 2027 it should fall in October, around Dussehra; the exact ritual days had not been published.

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) is listed for Saturday 9 October; celebrations and holiday lengths differ by region.

Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights, is listed for Friday 29 October, its main day; the festival unfolds over five days, with lamps, sweets and family celebrations. The UK Foreign Office notes that bans on selling alcohol often apply at major religious festivals and national holidays; check the state you are in.

December: Christmas and the Goa season

Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December, is celebrated across India. In Goa, Goa Tourism advises booking rooms well in advance for the Christmas and New Year season.