Quick Read
Kerala notifies 24 public holidays for 2026, led by the four-day Onam block in August, plus Vishu, the 3 national days, and Christmas. It also lists 1 restricted holiday. Apply these by employee work location and your Shops and Establishments policy.
Kerala Public Holidays 2026
24 public holidays, grouped by month. National gazetted days are tagged. Source: Kerala Government 2026 calendar.
Holidays on lunar or Islamic calendars may shift by a day on moon sighting. Confirm against the official Kerala gazette before locking payroll.
Restricted Holidays 2026
Banks observe the annual closing of accounts on 1 April. Employees may take additional restricted holidays subject to company policy.
How Kerala holidays apply at work
01
Public holidays
The 24 public holidays are paid days off. National days (Republic, Independence, Gandhi Jayanti) are mandatory everywhere. The Onam block is the largest state break.
02
Onam planning
Kerala observes a four-day Onam block from 25 to 28 August. Most offices close through Thiruvonam, and many extend leave. Plan staffing and payroll cut-offs around the Onam week.
03
Shops & Establishments rule
Private employers grant paid public holidays per the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act and policy. Typical practice is 12 to 15 paid holidays plus weekly offs.
04
Lunar date shifts
Id-ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Muharram, and Milad-i-Sherif depend on moon sighting and can move by a day. Update payroll if the state revises a date.
Auto-apply Kerala holidays to attendance and payroll
factoHR India loads the Kerala holiday calendar, handles the Onam block, splits public and restricted holidays, and lets staff pick restricted days within policy.
Book a DemoState calendar built-in
Public + restricted split
Per work-location
Employee restricted-day pick
Other State Holiday Calendars
Kerala Public Holidays FAQ
Run Kerala Attendance Without Holiday Errors
factoHR India keeps the Kerala holiday calendar, leave, and payroll in sync across every work location.
If you employ staff in Kerala, the same workforce is also covered by minimum wage rates in Kerala, Professional Tax in Kerala, working-hour and overtime rules in Kerala, and Labour Welfare Fund rates in Kerala. Keep every Kerala statutory obligation aligned across your payroll.