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Holi 2026 Holiday: In many states, Holi 2026 will be celebrated on March 4. Check state-wise bank, school, office and stock market holiday details before planning.
The most memorable Holi breaks are not necessarily the loudest; they are the ones that allow celebration to unfold in a setting that adds its own character to the festival.
The festival of colours, Holi, is approaching, bringing with it vibrant celebrations, bonfires and a break from daily routines. In 2026, Holika Dahan will take place late at night on March 2, while the main day of colours Dhulandi will be observed on March 4. As families prepare to mark the auspicious occasion, questions arise about whether banks, schools, offices and markets will remain open or closed during the festivities.
To commemorate this auspicious occasion, educational institutions, banks and offices so remain closed, providing everyone the chance to celebrate with family and friends.
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In many states, Holi is notified as a gazetted holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which typically results in the closure of banks, government offices, and schools.
Holi 2026: School holidays
Most schools across India typically close for one or two days around Holi. According to early state-level schedules:
Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR: Schools and offices will observe a restricted holiday on March 3 and a public holiday on March 4.
Rajasthan: The state usually declares a full public holiday on Holi. Some local schools may also remain closed on March 3 for community events.
Punjab: Schools will remain closed on March 4 for the festival of colours.
Maharashtra: Schools in Mumbai, Pune, and other cities are confirmed to remain closed on Dhulandi.
Southern states: In some southern states, where regional festivals such as Attukal Pongala take priority, schools may remain closed on March 3.
Parents and students, however, are advised to check official school circulars, as private institutions may adjust holiday schedules.
Holi 2026: Bank Holidays
Banks will follow the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), with holidays varying across states.
In Uttar Pradesh, banks will remain closed on March 2 (Holika Dahan) and March 4 (Holi). On March 3, banks will be closed in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, Telangana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Goa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh
for Holi, Dol Jatra or Dhulandi.
On March 4, banks will remain closed in Tripura, Gujarat, Mizoram, Odisha, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh for Holi, Dhuleti or Yaosang.
However, customers can continue to access online banking services and ATMs during bank holidays. Since holiday notifications may differ from state to state, citizens are encouraged to check official announcements issued by their respective state governments
and institutions.
Holi 2026: Holiday In Offices And Markets
Government offices and many private companies are expected to remain closed on the main Holi celebration day, March 4, in most states. The 2026 Central Government administrative holiday calendar lists March 3 as a restricted holiday.
Stock markets, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), will remain closed on March 3, 2026.
March 03, 2026, 06:45 IST