The Ultimate Social Media Calendar for India – 2026

A Strategic, Business-First Blueprint for Brands, Founders & Professionals

In a market as sentiment-driven and culturally layered as India, social media planning cannot be improvised. It must be engineered. A well-architected annual social media calendar is no longer a convenience—it is a commercial asset that synchronises brand storytelling with cultural momentum.

This 2026 Social Media Calendar has been designed as a reference-grade planning document for Indian businesses, consultants, professionals, startups, educators, and service brands who want predictability, relevance, and authority in their content operations.

This page is not just a list of dates.
It is a strategic operating framework for content leadership in India.

Why an Annual Social Media Calendar Matters in India

Indian audiences don’t merely consume content—they emotionally participate in it. Festivals, national milestones, spiritual observances, and professional days shape sentiment, buying intent, and engagement behaviour.

A structured annual calendar enables you to:

• Eliminate last-minute content chaos
• Maintain thematic continuity across platforms
• Align campaigns with cultural and business cycles
• Improve engagement quality, not just reach
• Delegate execution confidently to teams or agencies

Most importantly, it positions your brand as prepared, mature, and culturally fluent.

How to Use This 2026 Calendar Strategically

This calendar is designed to be:

• Platform-agnostic (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, WhatsApp)
• Industry-neutral (B2B, B2C, professionals, local & national brands)
• Execution-ready for monthly, quarterly, or annual planning

⚠️ Important Note on Dates
India follows multiple calendars (Gregorian + Lunar). Some festival dates may shift slightly based on regional Panchang. Treat this as a strategic reference calendar, and always reconfirm exact dates closer to execution.

Month-Wise Social Media Calendar – India 2026

January 2026 | Vision, Renewal & National Identity

• 1 January (Thursday) – New Year’s Day – celebrated nationwide as the first day of the Gregorian year.
• 3 January (Saturday) – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday – optional holiday for Shia Muslims.
• 13 January (Tuesday) – Lohri – winter harvest festival observed in Punjab, Haryana and parts of North India.
• 14 January (Wednesday) – Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu / Uttarayan – pan‑Indian harvest festival; kite‑flying day in western states.
• 14–17 January (Wednesday–Saturday) – Pongal – Tamil harvest celebrations, with Thai Pongal on 15 January as the main day.
• 23 January (Friday) – Basant Panchami (Sri Panchami) – spring festival and Saraswati Puja in eastern & northern states.
• 26 January (Monday) – Republic Day – national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Constitution.

Key Dates & Themes

• New Year’s Day – 1 Jan
• Lohri – Mid January
• Makar Sankranti / Pongal – Mid January
• Republic Day – 26 Jan

Content Strategy

• Vision posts, annual roadmap, brand resolutions
• Team culture, values, and leadership messaging
• Patriotic narratives aligned with purpose, not noise

Best Platforms
LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp Broadcasts

February 2026 | Relationships, Wellness & Professional Growth

• 1 February (Sunday) – Guru Ravidas Jayanti – optional holiday remembering the Bhakti poet‑saint.
• 1 February (Sunday) – Thaipusam – festival honouring Lord Murugan, celebrated in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities.
• 12 February (Thursday) – Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti – birth anniversary of the Arya Samaj reformer.
• 14 February (Saturday) – Valentine’s Day – global celebration of romantic love; widely used for campaigns and promotions.
• 15 February (Sunday) – Maha Shivaratri – night dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed with fasting and prayers.
• 19 February (Thursday) – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti – public holiday in Maharashtra honouring the Maratha leader.

Key Dates & Themes

• Valentine’s Day – 14 Feb
• World Cancer Day – 4 Feb
• Maha Shivratri – 15 Feb

Content Strategy

• Relationship-driven brand stories
• Wellness, mental health, sustainability messaging
• Thought leadership and human-centric narratives

March 2026 | Energy, Colour & Financial Closure

• 3 March (Tuesday) – Holika Dahan – bonfire ritual on the eve of Holi.
• 3 March (Tuesday) – Dolyatra (Dol Jatra) – Bengali Holi, celebrated with colours and music.
• 4 March (Wednesday) – Holi – festival of colours and spring; gazetted holiday across India.
• 8 March (Sunday) – International Women’s Day – global observance celebrating women’s achievements.
• 19 March (Thursday) – Gudi Padwa / Ugadi – new‑year’s day for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
• 20 March (Friday) – Jumat‑ul‑Vida – last Friday of Ramadan, marked by special prayers.
• 20 March (Friday) – Cheti Chand – Sindhi New Year celebrated by the Sindhi community.
• 21 March (Saturday) – Id‑ul‑Fitr (Ramzan Id) – marks the end of Ramadan; gazetted holiday.
• 26 March (Thursday) – Ram Navami – celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
• 31 March (Tuesday) – Mahavir Jayanti – birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

Key Dates & Themes

• Holi – 3 & 4 March
• International Women’s Day – 8 Mar
• Financial Year Closing (India)

Content Strategy

• Vibrant creatives, behind-the-scenes culture
• Women leadership, inclusivity, empowerment
• Financial planning, audits, closure communication

April 2026 | New Beginnings & Business Reset

• 3 April (Friday) – Good Friday – Christian commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus.
• 5 April (Sunday) – Easter Sunday – celebration of Jesus’ resurrection; optional holiday.
• 7 April (Tuesday) – World Health Day – UN observance promoting public health and well‑being.
• 14 April (Tuesday) – Baisakhi / Vaisakhi – Sikh and Punjabi New Year and harvest festival.
• 14 April (Tuesday) – Tamil New Year (Puthandu) – first day of the Tamil calendar.
• 14 April (Tuesday) – Vishu – Kerala New Year festival.
• 14–15 April (Tuesday–Wednesday) – Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) – Assamese New Year and spring harvest.
• 15 April (Wednesday) – Poila Boishakh – Bengali New Year, observed in West Bengal and Tripura.
• 22 April (Wednesday) – Earth Day – worldwide day for environmental awareness and conservation.

Key Dates & Themes

• Baisakhi / Vaisakhi – Mid April
• New Financial Year – 1 April

Content Strategy

• Fresh launches, revised offerings, announcements
• Educational content on planning and compliance
• Optimistic, forward-looking brand tone

May 2026 | Gratitude, Family & Authority Building

• 1 May (Friday) – Buddha Purnima – celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha.
• 1 May (Friday) – International Labour Day (May Day) – recognises workers’ rights; some states observe as a public holiday.
• 9 May (Saturday) – Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti – birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate poet.
• 10 May (Sunday) – Mother’s Day – second Sunday of May; widely used for appreciation campaigns.
• 27 May (Wednesday) – Id‑ul‑Zuha (Bakrid) – festival of sacrifice; gazetted holiday.

Key Dates & Themes

• Labour Day – 1 May
• Mother’s Day – Second Sunday of May
• Buddha Purnima – 01 May

Content Strategy

• Gratitude posts, team recognition
• Long-form educational content
• Credibility-building narratives

June 2026 | Stability, Learning & Global Outlook

• 5 June (Friday) – World Environment Day – UN day for environmental action and sustainability.
• 21 June (Sunday) – International Yoga Day – mass yoga events and wellness initiatives across India.
• 21 June (Sunday) – Father’s Day – third Sunday of June; celebrates fathers and paternal bonds.
• 26 June (Friday) – Muharram / Ashura – marks the martyrdom of Imam Husayn; gazetted holiday.

Key Dates & Themes

• World Environment Day – 5 June
• International Yoga Day – 21 June
• Father’s Day – Third Sunday

Content Strategy

• Sustainability and responsibility messaging
• Wellness, balance, discipline narratives
• Global outlook and industry insights

July 2026 | Culture, Knowledge & Consistency

• 16 July (Thursday) – Rath Yatra – chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Odisha.

Key Dates & Themes

• Rath Yatra – 16 July
• Start of festive pre-buzz

Content Strategy

• Mentorship, learning, gratitude to teachers
• Community engagement content
• Educational series and explainers

August 2026 | Patriotism, Celebration & High Engagement

• 2 August (Sunday) – Friendship Day (India) – first Sunday of August; celebrates friendship with bands and messages.
• 2 August (Sunday) – Hariyali Teej – monsoon fasting festival for women in Rajasthan, Haryana and UP.
• 12 August (Wednesday) – International Youth Day – UN observance highlighting youth issues.
• 15 August (Saturday) – Independence Day – celebrates India’s independence from British rule.
• 15 August (Saturday) – Parsi New Year (Nowruz) – new year for the Zoroastrian community.
• 26 August (Wednesday) – Id‑e‑Milad (Prophet’s Birthday) – celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
• 26 August (Wednesday) – Onam (Thiruvonam) – Kerala’s harvest festival.
• 28 August (Friday) – Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) – festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.

Key Dates & Themes

• Raksha Bandhan – August 28
• Independence Day – 15 Aug
• Friendship Day – 2 August

Content Strategy

• Emotion-rich storytelling
• Patriotic yet brand-aligned narratives
• Campaign-driven engagement formats

September 2026 | Discipline, Ethics & Professional Maturity

• 4 September (Friday) – Janmashtami – marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
• 5 September (Saturday) – Teacher’s Day – honours educators on Dr S. Radhakrishnan’s birthday.
• 6 September (Sunday) – Hartalika Teej – fasting festival for married women in North India.
• 14 September (Monday) – Ganesh Chaturthi – celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesha.
• 27 September (Sunday) – World Tourism Day – UN day promoting responsible tourism.

Key Dates & Themes

• Janmashtami – 4 Sept
• Teacher’s Day – 5 Sept
• Ganesh Chaturthi – 14 Sept

Content Strategy

• Ethics, learning, growth frameworks
• Community-centric engagement
• Long-term trust messaging

October 2026 | Festive Scale & Brand Visibility

• 2 October (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti – birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of Non‑Violence.
• 11 October (Sunday) – International Day of the Girl Child – UN observance advocating girls’ rights.
• 11–19 October (Sunday–Monday) – Navratri – nine‑night festival of Goddess Durga; cultural celebrations nationwide.
• 18 October (Sunday) – Durga Puja – Maha Saptami – public holiday in West Bengal.
• 19 October (Monday) – Durga Puja – Maha Ashtami.
• 20 October (Tuesday) – Durga Puja – Maha Navami & Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) – gazetted holiday.
• 24 October (Saturday) – United Nations Day – commemorates the founding of the UN.
• 26 October (Monday) – Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti – honours the author of the Ramayana.
• 29 October (Thursday) – Karva Chauth – fasting festival for married women in North India.
• 31 October (Saturday) – Halloween – Western festival increasingly observed in urban India.

Key Dates & Themes

• Gandhi Jayanti – 2 Oct
• Navratri / Durga Puja – Oct (11-19)
• Dussehra – 20 Oct

Content Strategy

• High-frequency festive campaigns
• Brand recall and offer communication
• Visual storytelling at scale

November 2026 | Prosperity, Gratitude & Conversion

• 8 November (Sunday) – Naraka Chaturdasi (Chhoti Diwali) – eve of Diwali.
• 8 November (Sunday) – Diwali / Deepavali – festival of lights; gazetted holiday nationwide.
• 9 November (Monday) – Govardhan Puja – worship of Govardhan Hill.
• 11 November (Wednesday) – Bhai Dooj – celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
• 14 November (Saturday) – Children’s Day – celebrates the birth anniversary of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
• 15 November (Sunday) – Chhath Puja – Sun‑worship festival observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP.
• 19 November (Thursday) – International Men’s Day – observance highlighting positive male role models.
• 24 November (Tuesday) – Guru Nanak Jayanti (Guru Nanak’s Birthday) – marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru.
• 24 November (Tuesday) – Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day – optional holiday honouring the ninth Sikh Guru.

Key Dates & Themes

• Diwali – 8 November
• Bhai Dooj – 11 November
• Children’s Day – 14 Nov

Content Strategy

• Gratitude, prosperity, celebration themes
• Conversion-oriented but respectful campaigns
• Client appreciation narratives

December 2026 | Reflection, Closure & Vision Reset

• 1 December (Tuesday) – World AIDS Day – global health awareness day.
• 10 December (Thursday) – Human Rights Day – commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• 14 December (Monday) – Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day (Nanakshahi calendar) – public holiday in Punjab.
• 23 December (Wednesday) – Hazrat Ali’s Birthday – optional holiday due to lunar calendar adjustment.
• 24 December (Thursday) – Christmas Eve – optional holiday; offices often hold year‑end celebrations.
• 25 December (Friday) – Christmas Day – gazetted holiday.
• 31 December (Thursday) – New Year’s Eve – widely celebrated across India with midnight festivities.

Key Dates & Themes

• Christmas – 25 Dec
• Year-End Reflection

Content Strategy

• Annual highlights, milestones, case studies
• Gratitude posts for clients and teams
• Vision previews for 2027

This month‑wise calendar combines national public holidays, state‑specific festivals, optional observances and key global days relevant to Indian audiences. Use it as a strategic reference for planning campaigns, scheduling content, and aligning brand messaging with cultural and civic milestones throughout 2026. The dates and day‑of‑week follow official gazette notifications and recognised observance calendars. We however, wish you to check with official calendars as festivals and holidays may vary.

Strategic Best Practices for 2026 Social Media Management

• Plan quarterly themes, not just daily posts
• Separate brand content, value content, and promotional content
• Use festivals for connection, not aggressive selling
• Maintain a content reserve for agility
• Track engagement quality, not vanity metrics

Final Perspective

A social media calendar is not a decorative spreadsheet.
It is a decision-making system.

Brands that win in 2026 will not post more—they will post with intent, rhythm, and cultural intelligence.

If you are serious about building predictable growth, digital authority, and long-term brand equity, an annual social media calendar is not optional—it is foundational.

Need this calendar customised for your industry, platforms, or team execution model?
A structured consultation can convert this reference into a live, execution-ready content engine for your business.

Why Engage Us for Strategic Social Media Calendar, Creatives & Festival-Led Lead Generation

In the Indian business ecosystem, festivals and major calendar moments are not decorative events—they are commercial inflection points. Most brands acknowledge this reality, yet very few are equipped to convert these moments into measurable business outcomes. That is precisely where our engagement model delivers disproportionate value.

When you partner with us for Social Media Calendar Management, you are not outsourcing posting—you are institutionalising strategic foresight. We architect your annual and quarterly calendars by aligning cultural moments, business cycles, audience psychology, and platform behaviour. Every date is mapped with intent: why this message, for whom, on which platform, and with what commercial objective. This eliminates reactive content, reduces internal confusion, and ensures your brand speaks with consistency, maturity, and authority throughout the year.

Our festival and occasion-specific creative design goes far beyond templated visuals or generic greetings. Each creative is conceptualised to preserve cultural sensitivity while reinforcing brand positioning, recall, and trust. Whether it is Diwali, Independence Day, Women’s Day, or industry-specific observances, we design creatives that look brand-led, not festive-forced—ensuring your business remains relevant without appearing opportunistic or repetitive.

Most importantly, we specialise in festival-led and date-driven lead generation frameworks. Indian audiences exhibit heightened emotional engagement, decision-making openness, and purchase intent around key cultural moments. We engineer campaigns—organic and paid—that leverage this behavioural window to attract high-intent, quality prospects, not superficial enquiries. From service consultations and local business discovery to B2B lead funnels and professional services outreach, each campaign is built with clear KPIs, audience filters, and post-lead nurturing logic.

In essence, our role is not to “manage social media” but to convert the Indian calendar into a revenue-enabling asset for your business. For brands and professionals who value structure, predictability, and outcome-driven digital growth, this engagement becomes less of an expense—and more of a strategic advantage that compounds year after year.