August 2026 Holidays in India: August 2026 is packed with festivals, national moments and religious observances, it becomes one of the busiest months on the Indian calendar in general. Starting with Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan then moving toward Onam, Nag Panchami, Hariyali Teej and Milad-un-Nabi, the whole month is filled with many occasions that people celebrate across different communities, different parts of India too.
Not only cultural religious festivals, August also includes key national and international observances like National Handloom Day, Quit India Movement Day, International Youth Day and even National Sports Day.
August 2026 Holidays in India
- August 2 (Sunday): Friendship Day
- August 3 (Monday): First Shravan Somwar Vrat
- August 8 (Saturday): Sankashti Chaturthi
- August 9 (Sunday): Kamika Ekadashi
- August 11 (Tuesday): Sawan Shivratri
- August 12 (Wednesday): Pradosh Vrat (Krishna Paksha)
- August 14 (Friday): Masik Shivaratri
- August 15 (Saturday): Independence Day, Hariyali Teej
- August 16 (Sunday): Bhadrapada Amavasya
- August 17 (Monday): Nag Panchami, Third Shravan Somwar
- August 18 (Tuesday): Kalki Jayanti
- August 19 (Wednesday): Skanda Shashthi
- August 23 (Sunday): Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
- August 25 (Tuesday): Pradosh Vrat (Shukla Paksha)
- August 26 (Wednesday): Onam, Milad-un-Nabi* (subject to moon sighting)
- August 27 (Thursday): Anant Chaturdashi
- August 28 (Friday): Raksha Bandhan, Varalakshmi Vrat, Gayatri Jayanti
- August 29 (Saturday): National Sports Day
- August 31 (Monday): Kajari Teej
Major Festivals
Raksha Bandhan: 28 August
Raksha Bandhan is basically that special bondbetween brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers wrists, while they are praying for their good health and well being and brothers in return usually give gifts and they also promise protection.
Onam: August 26
Onam is one of Kerala biggest festivals. It marks the yearly homecoming of King Mahabali. People decorate with bright floral displays called Pookalam and then there are traditional feasts known as Onasadya, boat races, cultural shows and performances too.
Hariyali Teej: August 15
Hariyali Teej is celebrated mostly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Bihar. This occasion is mainly observed by married women, mostly for the well being and long life of their husbands.
Nag Panchami: August 17
Nag Panchami is dedicated to serpent deities worship. On this day people do prayers, visit temples, and follow traditional rituals across multiple states. The whole atmosphere feels very devotional almost ceremonial.
August 2026 School Holidays in India: Full List of Important Dates for Students
Important National and International Days
- August 1: World Lung Cancer Day
- August 7: National Handloom Day
- August 8: Quit India Movement Day
- August 12: International Youth Day
- August 15: Independence Day
- August 19: World Photography Day
- August 20: Sadbhavana Diwas
- August 29: National Sports Day
Bank and School Holidays
In August, there will also be a number of bank and school holidays caused by the weekends, Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, Milad-un-Nabi and some regional festivals. Still, the precise holiday timetable can shift from one state to another, so students and customers should look out for the alerts sent out by their schools, banks or the local authorities.
