January 2026 Calendar India with Holidays: भारतीय त्यौहार और छुट्टियों के लिए कैलेण्डर Important Days, Festivals & Observances in India & WorldWide

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January 2026 Holidays and Celebrations: A Complete Guide with Dates & Meaning

Looking for a comprehensive list of January 2026 holidays and celebrations? Whether you’re planning events, scheduling social media content, or simply curious about cultural, national, and fun observances, this easy-to-read guide covers everything—from major national holidays in India to quirky food days and global observances.

Below, we’ve organized all January 2026 holidays in a clear table format, followed by brief yet informative explanations for each. This SEO-friendly article is structured to help you quickly find what you need—and rank well on Google with relevant keywords like “January 2026 holidays,” “Republic Day 2026,” and “National food days January.”

Table of Contents

📅 January 2026 Holidays and Celebrations – Full List

Date	Day	Holiday / Celebration	Type
Jan 1	Thu	National Bloody Mary Day	Food & Drink
Jan 1	Thu	Hazrat Ali’s Birthday	Religious (Islamic)
Jan 1	Thu	National Hobby Month (Begins)	Awareness
Jan 2	Fri	World Introvert Day	Awareness
Jan 3	Sat	Mahayana New Year	Religious (Buddhist)
Jan 3	Sat	Savitribai Phule Jayanti	Historical / Social
Jan 5	Mon	National Whipped Cream Day	Food
Jan 6	Tue	National Bean Day	Food
Jan 7	Wed	Orthodox Christmas	Religious (Christian)
Jan 12	Mon	National Youth Day (India)	National
Jan 12	Mon	National Curried Chicken Day	Food
Jan 13	Tue	Lohri	Cultural / Seasonal (India)
Jan 14	Wed	Makar Sankranti	Hindu Festival
Jan 15	Thu	Pongal	Harvest Festival (South India)
Jan 15	Thu	Indian Army Day	National
Jan 16	Fri	National Nothing Day	Fun Observance
Jan 16	Fri	International Hot and Spicy Food Day	Food
Jan 17	Sat	World Religion Day	Interfaith
Jan 19	Mon	National Popcorn Day	Food
Jan 20	Tue	National Penguin Day	Animal Awareness
Jan 23	Fri	Parakram Diwas (Netaji Jayanti)	National
Jan 23	Fri	National Handwriting Day	Cultural
Jan 23	Fri	Vasant Panchami	Hindu Festival
Jan 24	Sat	National Girl Child Day (India)	Social Awareness
Jan 25	Sun	National Irish Coffee Day	Food & Drink
Jan 25	Sun	National Tourism Day (India)	Awareness
Jan 26	Mon	Republic Day (India)	National Holiday
Jan 26	Mon	National Peanut Brittle Day	Food
Jan 30	Fri	Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas)	Commemorative
Jan 31	Sat	National Hot Chocolate Day	Food & Drink

🌟 Key January 2026 Holidays Explained

🇮🇳 Major Indian National Holidays

Republic Day (Jan 26): Celebrates the adoption of India’s Constitution in 1950. Marked by parades in New Delhi and nationwide flag-hoisting ceremonies.
Parakram Diwas (Jan 23): Honors Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary—renamed in 2021 to inspire youth with his courage.
Indian Army Day (Jan 15): Commemorates the day in 1949 when General K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief.
Martyrs’ Day / Shaheed Diwas (Jan 30): Pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and all freedom fighters assassinated for India’s independence.

🌾 Cultural & Religious Festivals

Lohri (Jan 13): A Punjabi festival celebrating the winter solstice with bonfires, folk songs, and sweets.
Makar Sankranti (Jan 14): Marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn; celebrated across India as a harvest festival (e.g., Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat).
Pongal (Jan 15): A 4-day Tamil harvest festival thanking the Sun God and farm animals.
Vasant Panchami (Jan 23): Welcomes spring and honors Goddess Saraswati (goddess of knowledge and arts).

🎂 Fun & Food Holidays (Perfect for Social Media!)

National Bloody Mary Day (Jan 1): Kick off the year with this spicy tomato-based cocktail.
National Whipped Cream Day (Jan 5) & National Hot Chocolate Day (Jan 31): Ideal for dessert lovers and café promotions.
National Popcorn Day (Jan 19): Great for movie night content or snack brand campaigns.
International Hot and Spicy Food Day (Jan 16): Spice up your menu or blog with chili recipes!

💡 Awareness & Tribute Days

National Youth Day (Jan 12): Celebrates Swami Vivekananda’s birthday—focus on youth empowerment.
National Girl Child Day (Jan 24): Highlights the rights, education, and health of girls in India.
World Religion Day (Jan 17): Promotes interfaith understanding and unity.
World Introvert Day (Jan 2): Recognizes the strengths of introverted personalities.

✅ Why This List Matters in 2026

January 2026 begins on a Thursday, giving businesses, educators, and content creators a full week to plan campaigns around holidays like New Year food days, Republic Day, and cultural festivals. With India observing multiple significant days—from Lohri to Republic Day—this month blends tradition, patriotism, and modern celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – January 2026 Holidays and Celebrations

Here are the most common questions people ask about holidays and special days in January 2026, answered clearly and concisely for quick reference.

1. What is the date of Republic Day in 2026?

Answer: Republic Day in India is always celebrated on January 26. In 2026, it falls on a Monday.

2. Is January 26, 2026 a public holiday in India?

Answer: Yes. Republic Day (January 26) is a national public holiday across India. Government offices, banks, and many businesses remain closed.

3. What holidays are there in January 2026 in India?

Answer: Major Indian holidays and observances in January 2026 include:

Lohri (Jan 13)
Makar Sankranti (Jan 14)
Pongal (Jan 15)
Indian Army Day (Jan 15)
National Youth Day (Jan 12)
Parakram Diwas (Netaji’s birthday, Jan 23)
Vasant Panchami (Jan 23)
National Girl Child Day (Jan 24)
National Tourism Day (Jan 25)
Republic Day (Jan 26)
Martyrs’ Day / Shaheed Diwas (Jan 30)

Note: Some (like Lohri, Pongal) are regional public holidays, while others like Republic Day are national.

4. Is January 1, 2026 a holiday in India?

Answer: New Year’s Day (January 1) is not a national holiday in India, but it is widely observed as a public holiday in many states (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) and in private sector offices.

5. What is Parakram Diwas and when is it in 2026?

Answer: Parakram Diwas (“Day of Valour”) commemorates the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It is observed every year on January 23. In 2026, it falls on a Friday.

6. Are banks closed on Republic Day 2026?

Answer: Yes. All banks in India will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, as Republic Day is a Gazetted Holiday.

7. What is the difference between Makar Sankranti and Pongal?

Answer:

Makar Sankranti (Jan 14) is a pan-Indian Hindu solar festival marking the sun’s entry into Capricorn.
Pongal (Jan 15–18) is the Tamil harvest festival, dedicated to the Sun God, and includes rituals like cooking the Pongal dish.
Both are closely linked but celebrated with regional names and customs (e.g., Lohri in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat).

8. Is Martyrs’ Day a public holiday?

Answer: Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas) on January 30 is not a mandatory public holiday, but it is officially observed nationwide with tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters. Government offices may hold commemorative events, but regular operations usually continue.

9. What are some fun food holidays in January 2026?

Answer: Popular food-themed days include:

Jan 1: National Bloody Mary Day
Jan 5: National Whipped Cream Day
Jan 6: National Bean Day
Jan 12: National Curried Chicken Day
Jan 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day
Jan 19: National Popcorn Day
Jan 25: National Irish Coffee Day
Jan 26: National Peanut Brittle Day
Jan 31: National Hot Chocolate Day

Great for food bloggers, cafes, and social media content!

10. Is January 2026 a good month for travel in India?

Answer: Yes! January is one of the best months to visit India—weather is cool and pleasant across most regions. Plus, you can experience vibrant festivals like Pongal, Lohri, and Republic Day celebrations.

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