School Holidays 2026: From Raksha Bandhan To Eid, Check August-September Dates
Students across India can expect several festival-related school holidays during August and September 2026. However, holiday schedules are not uniform nationwide. Dates can vary depending on the state, education department, school board and individual school calendar. Parents and students should therefore verify the final schedule with their respective schools.
School Holidays in August 2026
August has several important festivals and national observances that may result in school closures. Independence Day falls on August 15, 2026, although it falls on a Saturday this year. Schools may hold special programmes or flag-hoisting ceremonies depending on their academic calendar.
One of the major upcoming holidays is Eid-e-Milad or Milad-un-Nabi. Several 2026 holiday calendars list the festival around August 25-26, with the exact school holiday depending on the state notification. Some schools may observe August 25, while others have announced August 26 as the holiday.
Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026. The date has generated some confusion because the Purnima tithi extends across August 27 and 28, but August 28 is the widely recognised celebration date.
Onam is another important festival during this period, particularly in Kerala and parts of southern India. Thiruvonam, the main day of Onam, falls on August 26, 2026, although schools may have additional regional holidays around the festival.
School Holidays in September 2026
September also brings important festival holidays. Janmashtami falls on Friday, September 4, 2026, and several school calendars list this as a holiday.
Another major festival is Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on September 14, 2026. Schools in states such as Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Telangana may observe a holiday, although the exact closure depends on the respective state and school calendar.
Important Dates at a Glance
August 15: Independence Day
August 25-26: Eid-e-Milad/Milad-un-Nabi, depending on local notification
August 26: Onam/Thiruvonam in relevant regions
August 28: Raksha Bandhan
September 4: Janmashtami
September 14: Ganesh Chaturthi
Parents should remember that these are festival and public holiday dates, not a guaranteed nationwide school-closure list. Schools may have different calendars, working Saturdays or compensatory classes. Weather-related closures can also be announced separately by district administrations. Recent monsoon conditions have already resulted in state-wise school closure decisions in some regions.
Students are advised to check their school's official circular, website or academic calendar before planning trips or other activities around these dates
