2026 long weekend holiday list: Month-wise guide to planning trips and festivals without burning your leaves

2026 Long Weekends: With 2026 here, it’s the perfect time to start planning your holidays. By strategically combining public holidays with weekends, you can enjoy long, relaxing breaks without using up too many leave days. From cultural festivals to national holidays, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities to make the most of your time off. Here’s a complete month-wise guide to long weekends in India.

Long Weekends in January 2026

1. January 1–4

• January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day
• January 2, Friday: Take leave
• January 3, Saturday & January 4, Sunday: Weekend

2. January 23–26

• January 23, Friday: Vasant Panchami
• January 24, Saturday & January 25, Sunday: Weekend
• January 26, Monday: Republic Day

Kick off the year with two extended breaks in January, perfect for a short getaway or just relaxing at home.

Long Weekends in February 2026

• February 15, Sunday: Mahashivratri (mid-week pause)
• February 28, Saturday: Weekend connects into the Holi break in March

February has fewer extended breaks, but it’s a good month for planning mini trips.

Long Weekends in March 2026

1. March 1–3

• March 1, Sunday
• March 2, Monday: Take leave
• March 3, Tuesday: Holi

2. March 20–22

• March 20, Friday: Eid al-Fitr
• March 21 & 22, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

3. March 26–31

• March 26, Thursday: Ram Navami
• March 27, Friday: Take leave
• March 28–29, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend
• March 30, Monday: Take leave
• March 31, Tuesday: Mahavir Jayanti

March is packed with festive long weekends, ideal for cultural trips or family gatherings.

Long Weekends in April 2026

April 3–5

• April 3, Friday: Good Friday
• April 4–5, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

A short break in April offers a chance for a spring escape or simply unwinding at home.

Long Weekends in May 2026

May 1–3

• May 1, Friday: Buddha Purnima
• May 2–3, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

Enjoy a long weekend at the start of summer with a quick hill station trip or city staycation.

Long Weekends in June 2026

June 26–29

• June 26, Friday: Muharram
• June 27–28, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend
• June 29, Monday: Take leave

A four-day break in June is ideal for planning a mid-year recharge.

Long Weekends in July 2026

July 16–19

• July 16, Thursday: Rath Yatra
• July 17, Friday: Take leave
• July 18–19, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

A perfect summer break to explore cultural destinations or enjoy some time off in nature.

Long Weekends in August 2026

August 25–30

• August 25, Tuesday: Milad-un-Nabi
• August 26, Wednesday: Onam
• August 27, Thursday: Take leave
• August 28, Friday: Raksha Bandhan
• August 29–30, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

August offers a long stretch, giving plenty of room for a relaxing holiday or family trip.

Long Weekends in September 2026

1. September 4–6

• September 4, Friday: Janmashtami
• September 5–6, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

2. September 12–14

• September 12–13, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend
• September 14, Monday: Ganesh Chaturthi

September has two long weekends, perfect for festive celebrations or a quick getaway.

Long Weekends in October 2026

1. October 2–4

• October 2, Friday: Gandhi Jayanti
• October 3–4, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

2. October 17–20

• October 17–18, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend
• October 19, Monday: Take leave
• October 20, Tuesday: Dussehra

October is ideal for a cultural trip or exploring heritage destinations.

Long Weekends in November 2026

1. November 8–11

• November 8, Sunday: Diwali
• November 9, Monday: Govardhan Puja
• November 10, Tuesday: Take leave
• November 11, Wednesday: Bhai Dooj

2. November 21–24

• November 21–22, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend
• November 23, Monday: Take leave
• November 24, Tuesday: Guru Nanak Jayanti

November offers extended breaks for festive celebrations and family visits.

Long Weekends in December 2026

December 25–27

• December 25, Friday: Christmas
• December 26–27, Saturday–Sunday: Weekend

End the year with a festive Christmas long weekend, perfect for unwinding and spending quality time with loved ones.