Holiday Guide for Sikkim in 2026
Sikkim’s holiday calendar is one of the most culturally rich in the country. Rooted deeply in Buddhist traditions, Nepali heritage, Hindu festivals, and national observances, the state’s 2026 calendar reflects its diverse social fabric and community life.
For HR professionals, this diversity also means careful planning. With extended festival blocks, multiple community-specific observances, and long year-end closures, having an accurate, government-notified holiday list is essential for payroll, leave approvals, and compliance.
This guide is based on the official Sikkim Government Gazette notification for 2026 and covers all the official public, bank, and restricted holidays, along with payroll-sensitive dates.
On that note, let’s begin.
What are the Official Public Holidays in Sikkim in 2026?
The Government of Sikkim has declared the following days as public holidays for all government offices, PSUs, and educational institutions during the calendar year 2026.
| Date(s) | Day(s) | Occasion |
| 01 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Thursday | Maghe Sankranti |
| 19 Jan 2026 | Monday | Sonam Lochhar |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Monday | Republic Day |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Wednesday | Losar |
| 26 Feb 2026 | Thursday | Akhil Sikkim Khas Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh Foundation Day |
| 03 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Holi |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr |
| 27 Mar 2026 | Friday | Ram Navami (Chaite Dasain) |
| 03 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti |
| 01 May 2026 | Friday | Shyadar Pidar |
| 16 May 2026 | Saturday | State Day |
| 31 May 2026 | Sunday | Saga Dawa |
| 13 Jul 2026 | Monday | Bhanu Jayanti |
| 18 Jul 2026 | Saturday | Drukpa Tshe-zi |
| 24 Jul 2026 | Friday | Guru Rimpoche’s Thungkar Tshechu |
| 08 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Tendong Lho Rum Faat |
| 15 Aug 2026 | Saturday | Independence Day |
| 20 Aug 2026 | Thursday | Nepali Bhasa Manyata Diwas |
| 28 Aug 2026 | Friday | Pang Lhabsol |
| 04 Sep 2026 | Friday | Janmashtami |
| 14 Sep 2026 | Monday | Teej (Haritalika) |
| 25 Sep 2026 | Friday | Indrajatra |
| 02 Oct 2026 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 05 Oct 2026 | Monday | Birth Anniversary of Late Nar Bahadur Bhandari |
| 19–23 Oct 2026 | Mon–Fri | Durga Puja (Dasain) |
| 01 Nov 2026 | Sunday | Lhabab Duechen |
| 09–11 Nov 2026 | Mon–Wed | Laxmi Puja (Deepawali) |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Monday | Sakewa |
| 07 Dec 2026 | Monday | Kagyed Dance |
| 09–14 Dec 2026 | Wed–Mon | Losoong / Namsoong |
| 15 Dec 2026 | Tuesday | Nyengpa Guzom |
| 16 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | Nyengpa Guzom |
| 23 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | Puhgal Parim |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Monday | Barahimijong |
| 30 Dec 2026 | Wednesday | Tamu Lochar |
Note: Some dates may be modified by government notification. Always check the official release for updates.
HR Action Tip:
Sikkim has multiple multi-day festival blocks (Durga Puja, Diwali, Losoong/Namsoong). Plan staffing and payroll runs well in advance to avoid last-minute bottlenecks.
What are the Bank Holidays in Sikkim in 2026?
Bank holidays in Sikkim primarily covers all public holidays, all Sundays, and the second and fourth Saturday of every month, as mandated by RBI.
| Date | Holiday/Occasion |
| Public Holidays | All 49 gazetted holidays |
| Weekly closures | All Sundays |
| Fortnightly closure | 2nd and 4th Saturday |
HR Action Tip:
Avoid scheduling salary disbursements during Durga Pooja week, Diwali, and Losoong or Namsoong stretch.
Optional/Restricted Holidays in Sikkim 2026 (Indicative)
In addition to public holidays, the Sikkim Government has notified the following restricted holidays.
A government employee is entitled to avail only one restricted holiday in a year.
| Date | Day | Occasion |
| 01 May 2026 | Friday | Labour Day |
| 07 May 2026 | Thursday | Ubhauli Sakewa |
| 29 May 2026 | Friday | Birth Anniversary of Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa |
| 06 Jul 2026 | Monday | Birthday of H.H. The Dalai Lama |
| 27 Jul 2026 | Monday | Sarathi (Chalak) Diwas |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Sunday | Chhath Puja |
| 23 Nov 2026 | Monday | Birth Anniversary of Shri Satya Sai Baba |
HR Action Tip:
Clearly communicate that only one restricted holiday can be availed per employee, and require advance approval to maintain workforce balance.
Payroll-Sensitive Dates to Watch Out for HR Professionals
These holidays could impact payroll processing, bank operations, or compliance filing. Here’s a list of them:
| Period | Reason for Impact |
| March | Holi + Id-ul-Fitr |
| May | State Day + Saga Dawa |
| August | Tendong Lho Rum Faat + Independence Day |
| October | Durga Puja (5-day closure) |
| November | Diwali (3-day block) |
| December | Losoong/Namsoong (6 days) + year-end holidays |
HR Action Tip:
For Sikkim-based employees, year-end payroll planning is critical due to extended December closures. Lock payroll calendars early.
Got questions?
Sikkim observes 49 public holidays in 2026, one of the highest among Indian states.
Yes, all holidays listed in the gazette apply to government offices across Sikkim.
Yes. Banks remain closed on all Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
Public holidays listed in the gazette are final. Any change is notified separately by the state government.