Indian Festivals Calendar 2026 - State-wise Festival Guide for Tailors

Introduction

India is a land of festivals, and each celebration brings a surge in demand for traditional clothing. As a tailor or boutique owner, understanding the festival calendar is essential for business planning. This guide covers major festivals across Indian states, helping you prepare inventory, manage workload, and maximize your business during peak seasons.

Why Festival Calendar Matters for Tailors

Festivals are when Indians invest most in new clothes. Understanding the calendar helps you:

• Stock fabrics in advance - Popular fabrics sell out before major festivals
• Plan your workload - Avoid last-minute rush by managing orders early
• Offer timely promotions - Attract customers with festival-specific deals
• Prepare traditional styles - Each festival has preferred clothing styles

Major Pan-India Festivals 2026

Makar Sankranti / Pongal (January 14-15)

States: All India, especially Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat

Traditional Wear:

• South India: Silk sarees, pattu pavadai for girls
• Gujarat: Chaniya choli, traditional ghagras
• North India: New clothes in bright colors

Tailor Tip: Start preparing from December. Silk blouse orders peak 2-3 weeks before.

Republic Day (January 26)

States: All India

Traditional Wear:

• Tricolor themed outfits
• School uniforms
• Cultural performance costumes

Maha Shivaratri (February 26)

States: All India, especially Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Traditional Wear:

• Simple, traditional attire
• White and saffron colors popular

Holi (March 14)

States: North India, especially UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP

Traditional Wear:

• White kurtas (for playing Holi)
• Colorful traditional outfits for celebrations

Ugadi / Gudi Padwa (March 30)

States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra

Traditional Wear:

• New silk sarees and blouses
• Traditional half-sarees for young women
• Kurta pajamas for men

Tailor Tip: This is Telugu/Kannada New Year - orders start 3-4 weeks early.

Ram Navami (April 6)

States: All India

Traditional Wear:

• Yellow and saffron colored outfits
• Traditional wear for temple visits

Vishu (April 14)

States: Kerala

Traditional Wear:

• Kerala kasavu sarees and settu mundu
• Traditional white and gold combinations

Bihu (April 14-15)

States: Assam

Traditional Wear:

• Mekhela chador for women
• Dhoti and gamosa for men

Eid ul-Fitr (March 30-31)

States: All India

Traditional Wear:

• Salwar kameez and sharara sets
• Anarkalis and gharara
• Men's kurta pajamas and sherwanis

Tailor Tip: Start preparations from mid-Ramadan. Orders peak last 2 weeks.

Rath Yatra (June 26)

States: Odisha, West Bengal

Traditional Wear:

• Traditional Odia sarees
• Sambalpuri and Bomkai patterns

Raksha Bandhan (August 9)

States: North India, Gujarat, Maharashtra

Traditional Wear:

• Coordinated sibling outfits
• Traditional kurtas and sarees

Janmashtami (August 16)

States: All India, especially UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra

Traditional Wear:

• Krishna-themed children's costumes
• Traditional Indian wear

Onam (August 28 - September 8)

States: Kerala

Traditional Wear:

• Kerala kasavu sarees
• Set sarees and mundu
• Traditional white with gold border

Tailor Tip: Kerala's biggest festival - prepare from early August.

Ganesh Chaturthi (August 27)

States: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka

Traditional Wear:

• Traditional silk sarees
• Ethnic wear for pandal visits

Durga Puja / Navratri (October 1-10)

States: West Bengal, Gujarat, All India

Traditional Wear:

• West Bengal: Designer sarees, traditional Bengali wear
• Gujarat: Chaniya choli, traditional garba outfits
• North India: Nine different colored outfits for nine days

Tailor Tip: Biggest festival season - start preparing from September. Heavy workload expected.

Dussehra (October 10)

States: All India

Traditional Wear:

• Silk sarees
• Traditional festive wear

Karwa Chauth (October 21)

States: North India

Traditional Wear:

• Red/pink sarees and lehengas
• Traditional married women's attire

Diwali (October 31 - November 4)

States: All India

Traditional Wear:

• Silk sarees and designer blouses
• Lehengas and salwar kameez
• Kurta pajamas for men
• Children's ethnic wear

Tailor Tip: Biggest clothing season. Accept orders minimum 3 weeks in advance. Stock silk and brocade fabrics.

Chhath Puja (November 6-7)

States: Bihar, Jharkhand, UP

Traditional Wear:

• Yellow and red sarees
• Traditional Bhojpuri wear

Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 15)

States: Punjab, All India

Traditional Wear:

• White and saffron outfits
• Traditional Punjabi suits

Christmas (December 25)

States: All India, especially Kerala, Goa, Northeast

Traditional Wear:

• Western party wear
• Gowns and dresses
• Red and green themed outfits

State-wise Festival Calendar Summary

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Sankranti | Jan 14 | Dec 20 - Jan 10 | | Ugadi | Mar 30 | Mar 1 - Mar 25 | | Dasara | Oct 10 | Sep 15 - Oct 5 | | Diwali | Oct 31 | Oct 1 - Oct 25 |

Tamil Nadu

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Pongal | Jan 14 | Dec 15 - Jan 10 | | Tamil New Year | Apr 14 | Mar 25 - Apr 10 | | Navaratri | Oct 1-10 | Sep 10 - Sep 28 | | Diwali | Oct 31 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |

Kerala

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Vishu | Apr 14 | Mar 25 - Apr 10 | | Onam | Aug 28-Sep 8 | Aug 1 - Aug 25 | | Christmas | Dec 25 | Dec 1 - Dec 20 |

West Bengal

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Durga Puja | Oct 1-10 | Sep 1 - Sep 25 | | Kali Puja | Nov 1 | Oct 15 - Oct 28 | | Saraswati Puja | Feb 2 | Jan 15 - Jan 30 |

Maharashtra

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Gudi Padwa | Mar 30 | Mar 10 - Mar 25 | | Ganesh Chaturthi | Aug 27 | Aug 5 - Aug 22 | | Navratri | Oct 1-10 | Sep 10 - Sep 28 | | Diwali | Oct 31 | Oct 5 - Oct 25 |

Gujarat

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Uttarayan | Jan 14 | Dec 25 - Jan 10 | | Navratri | Oct 1-10 | Sep 1 - Sep 25 | | Diwali | Oct 31 | Oct 5 - Oct 25 |

Punjab & North India

| Festival | Approximate Date | Peak Order Time | |----------|-----------------|----------------| | Lohri | Jan 13 | Dec 25 - Jan 10 | | Baisakhi | Apr 14 | Apr 1 - Apr 12 | | Karwa Chauth | Oct 21 | Oct 5 - Oct 18 | | Diwali | Oct 31 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |

Business Planning Tips

Three Months Before Major Festivals

• Order specialty fabrics (silk, brocade, organza)
• Stock up on popular blouse piece colors
• Plan promotional offers

One Month Before

• Start accepting festival orders
• Hire temporary help if needed
• Extend working hours

Two Weeks Before

• Stop accepting new orders if backlog is high
• Focus on completing existing orders
• Prepare rush-order pricing

Festival Week

• Offer alteration services only
• Keep shop open extended hours
• Provide quick fixes and adjustments

Popular Festival Clothing Combinations

For Diwali/Navratri

• Silk saree + designer blouse
• Lehenga + crop top blouse
• Anarkali suit sets

For Pongal/Sankranti

• Pattu saree + contrast blouse
• Half saree sets
• Traditional silk pavadai

For Onam

• Kasavu saree + boat neck blouse
• Set mundu combinations
• Traditional Kerala style blouses

Conclusion

Understanding India's festival calendar is essential for every tailor and boutique owner. Plan ahead, stock wisely, and manage your orders to make the most of these peak seasons. The key is starting preparations early and maintaining quality even during rush periods.

Use CuttingMaster to generate accurate patterns quickly during busy festival seasons. Our tool helps you handle more orders without compromising on fit quality.

Pro Tip: Save this calendar and set reminders 4-6 weeks before each major festival to start your preparations!