By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: August 31, 2026 |05 : 10 PM IST
NEW DELHI, India | August 31, 2026 —
School holidays in September 2026 are drawing attention from students and parents as the new month brings Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vishwakarma Puja and several important regional observances.
However, families should be careful with viral holiday lists circulating online.
Not every festival listed for September is a nationwide school holiday, and closure dates can vary considerably by state, education board, district and individual school.
There is also an important calendar correction: Eid-e-Milad does not fall on September 25 in 2026. It was observed on August 26.
September 25 is associated with Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan in 2026.
September 2026 School Holidays: Correct Calendar
Here are the important dates students and parents should watch:
| Date | Day | Festival / Occasion | Holiday Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 4 | Friday | Krishna Janmashtami | Holiday in many states and schools |
| September 5 | Saturday | Teachers’ Day / Baba Jiwan Singh Ji Birthday | Baba Jiwan Singh Ji is a restricted holiday in Punjab; school status varies |
| September 6 | Sunday | Weekly Holiday | Schools generally closed |
| September 12 | Saturday | Second Saturday / Pehla Parkash / Saragarhi Day | Depends on school; Sikh observances are restricted holidays in Punjab |
| September 13 | Sunday | Weekly Holiday | Schools generally closed |
| September 14 | Monday | Ganesh Chaturthi | Holiday in several states, especially where festival is widely observed |
| September 15 | Tuesday | Samvatsari | May be observed by Jain institutions and in select regions |
| September 17 | Thursday | Vishwakarma Puja | Regional/restricted holiday in some states and institutions |
| September 20 | Sunday | Weekly Holiday | Schools generally closed |
| September 21 | Monday | Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi / Ramdev Jayanti & Teja Dashmi | Important state-specific holiday in Kerala and Rajasthan respectively |
| September 23 | Wednesday | Haryana War Heroes’ Martyrdom Day | Relevant mainly in Haryana |
| September 25 | Friday | Anant Chaturdashi / Ganesh Visarjan | Possible local or state-specific closures |
| September 26 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday | Holiday only where school calendar provides it |
| September 27 | Sunday | Weekly Holiday | Schools generally closed |
Janmashtami Holiday on September 4
Krishna Janmashtami falls on Friday, September 4, 2026.
This is likely to be one of the most widely observed school holidays of the month.
Since September 4 falls immediately before Saturday and Sunday, students in schools that remain closed on Saturdays could potentially receive an extended weekend.
However, Saturday schedules differ among schools.
Also Read – : Janmashtami 2026 Date: September 4 or 5? Know Puja Muhurat and Parana Time
Ganesh Chaturthi Falls on September 14
Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on Monday, September 14, 2026.
School closures are likely to be more significant in states where Ganeshotsav has a strong cultural presence, including Maharashtra and parts of western and southern India.
Because September 14 falls on a Monday, schools declaring a holiday could create a three-day break when combined with the weekend.
Students should nevertheless check their own state or school notification before making travel plans.
Vishwakarma Puja Is on September 17
Vishwakarma Puja falls on Thursday, September 17.
The festival is particularly important in industrial regions and among communities connected with engineering, manufacturing, craftsmanship and machinery.
It is not a uniform nationwide school holiday.
Some educational institutions and states may observe a restricted or regional holiday, while others will function normally.
September 21 Brings Different Holidays in Different States
September 21 is a good example of why a single “India school holiday calendar” can be misleading.
In Rajasthan, the official state calendar lists Ramdev Jayanti, Teja Dashmi and Khejarli Martyrs’ Day on September 21.
Therefore, schools in these states may follow different closure rules even though the calendar date is the same.
Haryana Schools Should Watch September 23
September 23, Wednesday, is observed as Haryana War Heroes’ Martyrdom Day or Shaheedi Diwas.
A number of school calendars in Haryana list the occasion as a holiday.
Parents in the state should check the latest notice issued by their school or district education authority.
September 25 Is Not Eid-e-Milad
This is the biggest correction parents should note.
Some holiday lists circulating online show:
September 25 — Eid-e-Milad
That is incorrect for 2026.
Milad-un-Nabi/Eid-e-Milad fell on August 26, 2026.
September 25 instead coincides with Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan.
Schools in places with major Ganesh Visarjan processions may announce a holiday, altered timings or transport-related instructions, but this should not be presented as a nationwide closure.
Also Read – : Dry Days in India 2026: Full List of National Holidays and Festival Dates
How Many Sundays Are There in September 2026?
September 2026 has four Sundays:
- September 6
- September 13
- September 20
- September 27
These are the most predictable weekly school holidays.
Saturday closures are less uniform.
Many schools close on the second Saturday, September 12, while some also remain closed on the fourth Saturday, September 26.
Other schools operate normally on both dates.
Can Students Get Long Weekends in September?
Potential long-weekend opportunities depend on individual school calendars.
September 4–6
Janmashtami falls on Friday, September 4.
If a school is closed on Saturday, students could get:
Friday + Saturday + Sunday = 3-day break
September 12–14
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Monday, September 14.
Schools closed on the second Saturday could potentially have:
Saturday + Sunday + Monday = 3-day break
This will be particularly relevant in states where Ganesh Chaturthi is officially observed.
Are All These School Holidays Compulsory?
No.
There is no single September holiday list applicable to every school in India.
School closure depends on factors including:
- State government holiday calendar
- State education department
- CBSE, CISCE or state-board school rules
- District administration
- Local festivals
- School management
- Restricted-holiday policies
Private schools can also follow calendars different from government schools.
Therefore, students and parents should treat national online lists as planning guides rather than final closure orders.
Where Should Parents Check the Final Holiday?
Before booking tickets or planning a trip, check:
- Official school app or website
- School WhatsApp or parent communication
- State education department notice
- District administration announcement
- School diary or academic calendar
A festival being celebrated on a particular date does not automatically mean every school will be closed.
September 2026 School Holiday Bottom Line
The most important September dates are Janmashtami on September 4, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14, Vishwakarma Puja on September 17 and several state-specific holidays later in the month.
Students also get four Sundays during September.
But families should remember two corrections while checking viral lists:
Eid-e-Milad is not on September 25 in 2026, and Samvatsari falls on September 15 rather than September 18.
The safest approach is to confirm every non-Sunday closure directly with the school before making holiday or travel plans.
