The 2026 calendar offers many holiday windows. Festivals fall close to weekends more often this year. As a result, working professionals and students can take short leaves and enjoy longer breaks. This guide lists every major long weekend in 2026, along with exact dates and simple planning ideas.
India will see 12 major long weekends in 2026.
Several breaks can be extended by taking just one day of leave.
The list includes pan-India holidays and region-specific festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Chhath Puja.
January 2026
January delivers the biggest break of the year.
Republic Day & Basant Panchami Weekend
• 23 January (Friday) – Basant Panchami, optional leave
• 24 January (Saturday)
• 25 January (Sunday)
• 26 January (Monday) – Republic Day
This creates a 4-day long weekend.
February–March 2026
Late February blends smoothly with Holi celebrations.
Holi Long Weekend (Extendable)
• 28 February (Saturday)
• 1 March (Sunday)
• 3–4 March – Holi
By taking leave on 2 March, this becomes a 4–5 day break.
Eid Long Weekend
• 20 March (Friday) – Eid
• 21 March (Saturday)
• 22 March (Sunday)
This forms a 3-day long weekend.
Mahavir Jayanti Extended Break
• 28 March (Saturday)
• 29 March (Sunday)
• 31 March – Mahavir Jayanti
Taking leave on 30 March gives 4 days into April.
April 2026
Good Friday Weekend
• 3 April (Friday) – Good Friday
• 4 April (Saturday)
• 5 April (Sunday)
This results in a 3-day long weekend.
May 2026
Buddha Purnima Weekend
• 1 May (Friday) – Buddha Purnima
• 2 May (Saturday)
• 3 May (Sunday)
This creates a 3-day long weekend, ideal for short summer trips.
August 2026
Raksha Bandhan Weekend
• 28 August (Friday) – Raksha Bandhan
• 29 August (Saturday)
• 30 August (Sunday)
This forms a 3-day festive long weekend.
September 2026
Ganesh Chaturthi Weekend
• 12 September (Saturday)
• 13 September (Sunday)
• 14 September (Monday) – Ganesh Chaturthi
This creates a 3-day long weekend, especially important in western and southern India.
October 2026
October remains the strongest month for holidays.
Gandhi Jayanti Weekend
• 2 October (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
• 3 October (Saturday)
• 4 October (Sunday)
This gives a 3-day long weekend.
Dussehra, Mahanavami Extended Weekend
• 17 October (Saturday)
• 18 October (Sunday)
• 19 October (Monday) – Mahanavami
• 20 October (Tuesday) – Dussehra
Taking leave on 19 October (if required by workplace policy) connects Navratri celebrations and creates a 4-day festive break, while some regions may observe Mahanavami as a holiday.
November 2026 (Dhanteras & Chhath Puja)
Dhanteras Weekend
• 6 November (Friday) – Dhanteras
• 7 November (Saturday)
• 8 November (Sunday)
This forms a 3-day Diwali-season long weekend.
Chhath Puja Dates 2026
• 13 November (Friday) – Nahay Khay
• 14 November (Saturday) – Kharna
• 15 November (Sunday) – Sandhya Arghya
• 16 November (Monday) – Usha Arghya
This period is very significant in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi
December 2026
Christmas Weekend
• 25 December (Friday) – Christmas
• 26 December (Saturday)
• 27 December (Sunday)
This forms a 3-day long weekend, perfect for year-end vacations.
How to Extend These Breaks
Take a single leave next to a holiday.
For example, take 2 March to extend Holi or 19 October (Mahanavami) to link Navratri with Dussehra.
Two well-placed leaves can convert many 3-day breaks into 4–5 day trips.
Book travel early for peak holiday periods.
Quick Planning Tips
Plan early for Republic Day, Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath, and Christmas.
Prefer refundable bookings for flexibility.
Choose offbeat destinations to avoid crowds.
Coordinate leave plans early with your team.
Conclusion
2026 is a holiday-friendly year with 12 major long weekends. The calendar supports short trips, festive travel, and family time. With minimal leave, you can enjoy multiple extended breaks. Plan early, travel smart, and make the most of the year.
