October 2026 Holiday Calendar: Important Dates, International And National Events, Festivals To Look For This Month

October 2026 is one of the most eventful months of the year. This is when festivities, patriotism, health awareness, and global unity come together on one calendar. It is the month when India celebrates its biggest festival stretch. From Navratri beginning on October 11 to Vijayadashami and Dussehra on October 20, followed by Karwa Chauth, while also observing a major national holiday, Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, we have a lot to look forward to.

International and National Days In October 2026

1. October 1: International Day of Older Persons / World Vegetarian Day
2. October 2: Gandhi Jayanti and International Day of Non-Violence
3. October 4: World Animal Day
4. October 5: World Teachers' Day
5. October 6: World Cerebral Palsy Day
6. October 7:World Cotton Day
7. October 8: Indian Air Force Day
8. October 10: World Mental Health Day
9. October 11: International Day of the Girl Child
10. October 13: Breast Cancer Awareness Day
11. October 15: World Students' Day (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary)
12. October 15: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
13. October 16: World Food Day
14. October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
15. October 21: Police Commemoration Day (India)
16. October 24: United Nations Day
17. October 24: World Polio Day
18. October 28: International Animation Day
19. October 30: World Thrift Day
20. October 31: National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)
21. October 31: Halloween

Indian Festivals In October 2026:

1. October 6: Indira Ekadashi
2. October 10: Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya Amavasya
3. October 11: Shardiya Navratri Begins / Ghatasthapana / Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti
4. October 12: Chandra Darshan
5. October 17: Saraswati Puja / Durga Puja Shashthi Begins
6. October 18: Durga Puja Saptami
7. October 19: Durga Ashtami / Maha Navami
8. October 20: Vijayadashami / Dussehra
9. October 21: Bengal Vijaya Dashami / Vidyarambham / Mysuru Dasara
10. October 26: Valmiki Jayanti
11. October 29: Karwa Chauth

Navratri 2026 Days:

October 11: Navratri Day 1, Maa Shailputri, Colour- White (Ghatasthapana)
October 12: Navratri Day 2, Maa Brahmacharini, Colour- Red
October 13: Navratri Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta, Colour- Royal Blue
October 14: Navratri Day 4, Maa Kushmanda, Colour- Yellow
October 15: Navratri Day 5, Maa Skandamata, Colour- Green
October 16: Navratri Day 6, Maa Katyayani, Colour- Grey
October 17: Navratri Day 7, Maa Kalaratri, Colour- Orange
October 18: Navratri Day 8, Maa Mahagauri, Colour- Peacock Green (Durga Ashtami)
October 19: Navratri Day 9, Maa Siddhidatri, Colour- Pink (Maha Navami)

Leaves In October 2026:

1. October 2: Friday: Gandhi Jayanti - National Holiday
2. October 20: Tuesday: Dussehra- Gazetted Holiday
3. October 18: Sunday: Maha Saptami / Durga Puja Saptami - Holiday in some states like West Bengal
4. October 19: Monday: Maha Ashtami - Holiday in some states like West Bengal

Whether you are planning leaves, preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking exams, or scheduling your festive content, keep this October 2026 calendar handy. It will help you stay ahead, celebrate on time, and never miss an important national or international day.

(Image Credits: Magnific)
To read more such stories, stay tuned to Her Zindagi.