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Long Weekends Holidays in 2026: Your Complete Vacation Planning Guide
- Rajiv Shukla
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Long Weekends Holidays in 2026 Quick Highlights
January opens with back-to-back long weekends thanks to New Year and Republic Day
March delivers the biggest holiday of 2026 with a possible 6-day vacation using just 2 leaves
September features two separate long weekends within one month
October brings three festival-led long weekends, making it the busiest travel month
Diwali in November can stretch to 5 days with smart leave planning
December ends perfectly with Christmas falling on a Friday
Long weekends are more than just time off. They help reset your mind, reduce burnout, and let you travel without exhausting your leave balance. Here is a month-by-month guide to all major long weekends in India in 2026, based on commonly observed national and festival holidays.
Extended Long Weekend Holidays in India – 2026*
Month | Occasion | Dates | Leaves Needed | Total Holidays |
January | New Year | Jan 1- 4 (Thu–Sun) | 1 (Jan 2) | 4 days |
March | Ram Navami + Mahavir Jayanti | Mar 26- 31 (Thu–Tue) | 2 (Mar 27, 30) | 6 days |
April | Ambedkar Jayanti | Apr 11-14 (Sat–Tue) | 1 (Apr 13) | 4 days |
June | Muharram* | Jun 26- 29 (Fri–Mon) | 1 (Jun 29) | 4 days |
July | Rath Yatra | Jul 16-19 (Thu–Sun) | 1 (Jul 17) | 4 days |
October | Dussehra | Oct 17- 20 (Sat–Tue) | 1 (Oct 19) | 4 days |
November | Diwali | Nov 7- 11 (Sat–Wed) | 2 (Nov 9-10) | 5 days |
December | Christmas + New Year tail | Dec 25- 27 (Fri–Sun) | 0 | 3 days (borderline) |
*Muharram date subject to moon sighting.
January Starts 2026 on a Strong Note
New Year Extended Weekend- January 1, 2026 falls on a Thursday. Taking Friday, January 2 as leave gives you four continuous days to start the year relaxed.
Republic Day Long Weekend- Republic Day on Monday, January 26 creates a three-day weekend from Saturday to Monday, without using any leave.
January sets the tone for easy holidays early in the year.
March Brings the Best Leave-to-Holiday Ratio
Holi Weekend- Holi falls on Friday, March 6 in most states, creating a natural three-day weekend.
The Mega Six-Day holiday- March offers the best vacation opportunity of 2026.
Ram Navami: Thursday, March 26
Mahavir Jayanti: Tuesday, March 31
Take leave on Friday (March 27) and Monday (March 30).
Result: Six consecutive days off from March 26 to March 31, using only two leaves.
April Is Ideal for Short Spring Getaways
Good Friday Weekend- Good Friday on April 3 (Friday) flows directly into the weekend, creating a three-day holiday.
Ambedkar Jayanti holiday- Ambedkar Jayanti falls on Tuesday, April 14. Taking Monday, April 13 as leave gives you a four-day holiday from Saturday to Tuesday.
April works well for relaxed, low-crowd travel.
May Opens the Summer Travel Window
Labour Day and Buddha Purnima- May 1, 2026 falls on a Friday, creating a three-day weekend. This is a good window for hill stations before peak summer crowds arrive.
June Offers a Mid-Year Reset
Muharram Extended holiday- Muharram is expected on Friday, June 26 (subject to moon sighting). Adding Monday, June 29 as leave can create a four-day holiday across two weekends.
Islamic holidays may shift by a day, so confirmation closer to the date is advised.
July Brings a Cultural Long Weekend
Rath Yatra holiday- Rath Yatra on Thursday, July 16 allows a four-day holiday if you take Friday, July 17 as leave. This is a good time for cultural or heritage trips.
August Has Mixed Results
Independence Day- August 15 falls on a Saturday, combining with a regular weekend but not creating an extended holiday.
Janmashtami Weekend- In many states, Janmashtami falls on Monday, August 24, giving a three-day weekend from Saturday to Monday.
September Stands Out With Two Long Weekends
Janmashtami (Regional Observance)In some regions, Janmashtami falls on Friday, September 4, creating a three-day weekend.
Ganesh Chaturthi Weekend- Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, September 14 gives another Saturday–Monday long weekend.
September is unique with two long weekends in one month.
October Is the Busiest Travel Month of 2026
Gandhi Jayanti Weekend- October 2 (Friday) delivers a three-day holiday to start the month.
Durga Puja and Dussehra Stretch- Durga Puja festivities begin Saturday, October 17.
Maha Saptami: Sunday, October 18
Dussehra: Tuesday, October 20
Taking Monday, October 19 as leave creates a four-day holiday.
October offers three separate long-weekend windows, making early bookings essential.
November Delivers the Diwali Mega holiday
Diwali Extended Vacation- Diwali falls on Wednesday, November 11. Taking Monday and Tuesday (November 9–10) as leave creates a five-day holiday, making it one of the longest vacations of 2026.
Guru Nanak Jayanti Weekend- Guru Nanak Jayanti on Monday, November 30 closes the month with another three-day weekend.
December Ends the Year Perfectly
Christmas Weekend- Christmas on Friday, December 25 gives a natural three-day weekend.
An added bonus: New Year’s Day 2027 also falls on a Friday, making December ideal for extended year-end planning.
Smart Leave Strategy at a Glance
Best holiday stretches in 2026:
March 26–31: 6 days using 2 leaves
November 7–11: 5 days using 2 leaves
October 17–20: 4 days using 1 leave
April 11–14: 4 days using 1 leave
💡 Also Read: Merry Christmas 2025: Best Wishes, Tree Traditions, Messages, Songs, Cakes & Celebration Ideas
Important Planning Notes
Regional calendars matter. Festivals like Janmashtami, Dussehra, and Durga Puja vary by state.
Moon-based holidays such as Muharram may shift by one day.
October and November require early bookings due to heavy travel demand.
Plan smart, book early, and let 2026 work in your favour.
Long Weekends Holidays in 2026 Frequently asked Questions(FAQ)
Q1. How many long weekend holidays are there in India in 2026?
India has multiple long weekend holidays in 2026, spread across January, March, April, September, October, November, and December. The exact number depends on state-wise festival observance and optional leave planning.
Q2. Which is the longest holiday stretch in India in 2026?
The longest holiday stretch in 2026 can be in March, where up to six consecutive days off are possible by taking just two leaves around Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti.
Q3. Which months are best for long weekend holidays in 2026?
The best months for long weekend holidays in 2026 are March, October, and November. October stands out with multiple festival-based long weekends, while November offers a long Diwali holiday window.
Q4. Are long weekend holidays the same across all Indian states?
No. Long weekend holidays vary by state in India. Festivals like Janmashtami, Durga Puja, Dussehra, and regional new years follow state-specific calendars, so dates may differ.
Q5. How can I plan long weekend holidays in 2026 using fewer leaves?
You can maximise long weekend holidays in 2026 by placing leaves next to public holidays, especially when holidays fall on Tuesday or Thursday, turning them into 4–6 day vacations.
Long Weekends Holidays in 2026 Tags
long weekend holidays 2026, long weekends 2026 india, holiday calendar 2026 india, festival holidays 2026, long holiday weekends india, vacation planning india 2026, public holidays 2026 india, leave planning india, indian holiday calendar 2026
About the Author
Rajiv Shukla reports on global news, current affairs and major Indian festivities with a clear, fact-first style. He grew up in Lucknow and studied journalism at a recognised college in Delhi, where he developed a strong interest in public events and policy. Rajiv enjoys explaining fast-moving stories in a way anyone can follow. Off duty, he loves long evening walks and exploring old book markets.
Disclaimer:
Holiday dates may vary by state and official notifications. Festival dates based on lunar calendars can change. Please verify with your state or employer before finalising travel or leave plans.
This article is intended for informational purposes only. For queries or corrections, please reach out via our Contact Form. Also refer to our Disclaimers & Transparency.
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