January 2026 Festival Guide: Dates, Traditions & Joy

January 2026: The first week of January combines the spiritual and global celebrations, like January 1, the first day of the year, which starts with fireworks, crackers, parties, prayers, and the tradition of renewal all night.

Spiritual festival days of January 2026 : 

1. 5 January 2026, Chandra Darshan is the day of the first moon sighting after Amavasya.
2. 6 January 2026, Sankashti Chaturthi is the day devotees fast and worship Ganesha for removing burdens and problems.
3. Jan 10 2026, Masik Shivratri, a day for the dedication of lord shiva.
4. Jan 18 Mauni Amavasya, it is a day meant for holy river baths at Prayagraj during Magh Mela, with new-moon observance.
5. 23 January 2026, Basant Panchami, this is a very special day for students worshipping the goddess Saraswati and enjoying the colourful festival with kite flying abound.
6. 28 January 2026, Radha Ashtami, Dedicated to Surya (Sun God) for health & success.

Cultural events of January 2026: 

• Bikaner camel festival, 9-11, 2026:  It is a kind of festival that occurs in Rajasthan with attractive features like camel parades and folk culture.
• Magh mela, 3 January to February 15 2026, in Prayagraj, is one of India’s largest spiritual gatherings to take a holy dip, on auspicious days like Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya & Basant Panchami.
• Modhera Dance Festival – Jan 20-23, 2026, that day is a Cultural event day meant for Classical dance performances at the historic Sun Temple in Gujarat.

December 2025 to February 2026 Harvest & Winter Festivals: 

• January 13, Lohriis a festival of winter in January to celebrate the day with a bonfire, with folk songs and dances, especially in Punjab.
• Pongal is a festive of South Indian culture for four days, the Pongal harvest festivities.
• January 14 Makarsakranti, it is a major harvest festival in India, celebrated with celebrating it kite flying, river dips and sweet treat celebrations and gatherings.
• Kanuma & Mattu Pongal – Jan 15–16, 2026, in Tamil Nadu, celebrating cattle and family gatherings.

National days to remember: 

• Swami Vivekanand Jayanti Jan 12 2026: It is celebrating youth inspiration through events across India.
• Republic Day, January 26, 2026(Monday), India’s national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Constitution with parades and patriotic events.

What happens in the given festival names of January: 

January 1: on this day, a celebration of the new year new beginning, is celebrated to become more flawless and a better way from the past, with people welcoming the new year with prayer, resolutions and family gatherings. Moreover, cake cutting, enjoying the parties, crackers and greetings.

Lohri(north India)& Bhogi(south India): 

Lohri- in the evening, the bonfires are lit, people dance, folk songs, peanuts, jaggery, celebrating the harvest season and community bonding.

Bhogi - homes are cleaned and decorated, it is the start of Pongal.

Makar Sankranti:  people take a holy bath in rivers, the rise dish is offered to the sun god in South India, and Kite flying is popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Mattu Pongal& Kanuma: In this festival, farmer thank animals for their help in living agricultural life, with cattle being worshipped and decorated and fed special food.

National Youth Day: this day is celebrated in schools and colleges by sharing a heartfelt speech and debate on life, Swami Vivekananda are remembered to inspire youth.

January 18 Mouni Amavasya:  devotees take a holy dip in rivers, and many of them perform charity and prayers.

Vasant Panchami 23 Jan: On this day, the yellow colour is a very special part of dedication to Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by students and artists.

26 January Republic Day: the national flag is hoisted in India, with a grand parade, cultural programs showcase. Citizens remember the importance of the Constitution.