Why do Indian festival dates change every year?

Most follow the Hindu lunisolar calendar, so they move by about eleven days a year against the Gregorian calendar and jump back when a leap month is added. Only a few — Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Baisakhi, Vishu — sit on the solar calendar and stay near the same date.

Are the dates the same abroad as in India?

The tithi is the same, but a festival that starts at moonrise in India can fall a calendar day earlier in Europe or a day later in the Americas. Temples abroad announce their own dates; for a puja, use theirs.

Are Indian festivals public holidays outside India?

Rarely — a few countries with large diasporas mark Diwali. Elsewhere families take a day of leave, and community events are held on the nearest weekend, which is why the events on each festival page rarely fall on the date itself.

Indian festival calendar

When each festival falls this year and next, what it is, and how the Indian community abroad keeps it — with the events posted for it, country by country (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg today). Dates are calendar facts; the parties are on the nearest weekend, so open a festival for what is actually on near you.

Ten days of Ganpati
Ganesh Chaturthi
2026: 14–24 September 2026
Ganpati comes home for up to ten days and leaves in a procession. Abroad the public celebrations are open to everyone, and the food is the reason to go.
Events & guide →
Nine nights of dance
Navratri & Garba
2026: 11–19 October 2026
Nine nights for the goddess and, abroad, the best-attended dance events of the year: Garba and Dandiya Raas nights in school halls and sports centres.
Events & guide →
Festival of lights
Diwali
2026: Sunday, 8 November 2026
The biggest night of the Indian year: lamps, sweets, new clothes and fireworks. Abroad it is celebrated over the surrounding weekends, with one large public event in most big cities.
Events & guide →
Sikh Gurpurab
Guru Nanak Jayanti
2026: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, kept at every gurdwara with kirtan, a nagar kirtan procession and langar for all.
Events & guide →
Harvest, mid-January
Pongal & Makar Sankranti
2027: Thursday, 14 January 2027
The January harvest festival under its many names — Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Sankranti in the north and west, Lohri in Punjab, Bihu in Assam — kept abroad with kite days and Tamil association gatherings.
Events & guide →
Festival of colours
Holi
2027: Monday, 22 March 2027
Colour, water and spring. In northern Europe the Holi parties are outdoor, ticketed and usually a few weeks after the date — because March is cold.
Events & guide →
Kerala’s harvest festival
Onam
Next date not yet confirmed · usually August – September
Kerala’s harvest festival: a 26-dish sadya on a banana leaf, pookalam flower carpets, and Malayali associations everywhere booking a hall for it.
Events & guide →

Dates follow the Hindu, Sikh and Malayalam calendars and can differ by a day between regions and temples; confirm a puja date with your temple or association.

Questions people ask

Why do Indian festival dates change every year?: Most follow the Hindu lunisolar calendar, so they move by about eleven days a year against the Gregorian calendar and jump back when a leap month is added. Only a few — Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Baisakhi, Vishu — sit on the solar calendar and stay near the same date.
Are the dates the same abroad as in India?: The tithi is the same, but a festival that starts at moonrise in India can fall a calendar day earlier in Europe or a day later in the Americas. Temples abroad announce their own dates; for a puja, use theirs.
Are Indian festivals public holidays outside India?: Rarely — a few countries with large diasporas mark Diwali. Elsewhere families take a day of leave, and community events are held on the nearest weekend, which is why the events on each festival page rarely fall on the date itself.

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