Long weekends in India are nothing short of a blessing.
Whether you’re dreaming of a quick escape to the mountains, a lazy beach getaway, or simply an extra day of guilt-free sleep, these extended breaks can turn ordinary weeks into refreshing mini-vacations. With a smart blend of public holidays, festival dates, and a little planned leave, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities to unwind and explore.
This comprehensive month-by-month guide lists all long weekends in India for 2026 – with ideas on how to make the most of each one. From winter wonderlands and monsoon getaways to festive escapes and heritage trails, here’s how you can make every extra day count.
Long Weekends in India 2026: Month-Wise Holiday & Travel Guide
Long Weekends in January 2026
1. January 1 (Thursday) – New Year’s Day
Take leave on January 2 (Friday) to enjoy a 4-day weekend (Jan 1–4).
2. January 26 (Monday) – Republic Day
A ready-made 3-day weekend (Jan 24–26).
How to Spend the Break?
- January is perfect for winter travel.
- Head to Shimla, Manali, Gulmarg, or Auli for snow adventures, or enjoy sunshine at Goa, Gokarna, or Kerala beaches. Many cities also host winter food festivals, cultural fairs, and wellness retreats ideal for a new-year reset.
Long Weekends in February 2026
- No major national long weekends, but you can still create one.
Take February 13 (Friday) off to build a Valentine’s 3-day weekend (Feb 14–16).
How to Spend the Break?
- Plan a romantic escape to Udaipur, Jaipur, Ooty, or Agra, or spend quality time in nature at Chilika Lake, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, or heritage spots like Fatehpur Sikri.
- February’s mild weather also makes it perfect for easy hikes, music festivals, and food carnivals.
Long Weekends in March 2026
March has several festivals that can be clubbed for longer breaks:
1. March 4 (Wednesday) – Holi (depending on the state holiday)
2. March 26 (Thursday) – Ram Navami
3. March 31 (Tuesday) – Mahavir Jayanti
Take March 30 (Monday) off to enjoy a 5-day stretch (Mar 27–31).
How to Spend the Break?
- Celebrate Holi in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, or Jaipur. For spiritual travellers, temple towns like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Shravanabelagola, or Palitana are ideal.
- Spring is also great for treks in Himachal and Uttarakhand, or for exploring heritage circuits in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
Long Weekends in April 2026
- April 3 (Friday) – Good Friday
A natural 3-day weekend (Apr 3–5).
How to Spend the Break?
- Enjoy warm, pleasant weather at Goa, Daman, Varkala, or Pondicherry. Wildlife lovers can explore Kaziranga, Corbett, or Bandhavgarh, while hill stations like Munnar, Coorg, and Kodaikanal are perfect for a refreshing short break.
- April is the month that marks various regional New Year celebrations across southern India.
Long Weekends in May 2026
1. May 1 (Friday) – Labour Day / Buddha Purnima
A built-in 3-day weekend (May 1–3).
How to Spend the Break?
- With summer setting in, hill stations such as Darjeeling, Mussoorie, Gangtok, Munnar, Nainital, and Ladakh become popular favourites.
- Wildlife sightings peak in national parks during this season, and coastal regions like Andaman, Lakshadweep, and Odisha offer breezy, scenic escapes.
Long Weekends in June 2026
- June 26 (Friday) – Muharram
A natural 3-day weekend (Jun 26–28).
How to Spend the Break?
- June brings the early monsoon charm – ideal for trips to Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Coorg, or long drives through the Konkan coast.
- Relaxing spa retreats, plantation stays, and some coastal trips make this an ideal slow-travel month.
Long Weekends in July 2026
- July 16 (Thursday) – Rath Yatra
Take July 17 (Friday) off to get a 4-day weekend (Jul 16–19).
How to Spend the Break?
- July is made for monsoon lovers.
- You can drive along the Western Ghats, witness Rath Yatra in Odisha, unwind in Wayanad, Chikmagalur, or enjoy the lush beauty of Meghalaya waterfalls.
Long Weekends in August 2026
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August 28 (Friday) – Raksha Bandhan
A natural 3-day weekend. -
Milad-un-Nabi – Aug 25/26 (Tue/Wed)
Take August 24 (Monday) off for a 4-day holiday.
How to Spend the Break?
- August is monsoon at its peak—perfect for visiting Kerala, Meghalaya, Coorg, or the Karnataka Ghats.
- You can enjoy heritage walks in Delhi, Jaipur, and Amritsar, or plan family-centric holiday stays for Raksha Bandhan.
Long Weekends in September 2026
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September 4 (Friday) – Janmashtami
A ready-made 3-day weekend (Sept 4–6). -
Ganesh Chaturthi – Sept 14/15 (Mon/Tue)
State holidays may create extended weekends.
How to Spend the Break?
- September is the perfect blend of post-monsoon greenery and pleasant temperatures.
- The travelers can experience Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, trek the Valley of Flowers, relax along Kerala backwaters, or plan sunny early-autumn beach holidays.
Long Weekends in October 2026
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October 2 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
A natural 3-day weekend (Oct 2–4). -
October 20 (Tuesday) – Dussehra
Take October 19 (Monday) off for an extended break.
How to Spend the Break?
- October is festival season. Enjoy Durga Puja in Kolkata, Navratri in Gujarat, or head to Rajasthan’s desert cities as the climate cools.
- Majority of the sanctuaries and national parks reopen this month – ideal for wildlife safari lovers.
Long Weekends in November 2026
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Diwali Week: November 6–11 (Fri–Wed)
Amazing scope for extended leave. -
November 24 (Tuesday) – Guru Nanak Jayanti
Take November 23 (Monday) off for a 4-day weekend.
Where to go
Celebrate Diwali in Varanasi, Delhi, or Rajasthan, witness the divine glow at Golden Temple, or explore heritage cities like Hampi and Khajuraho. November also brings ideal weather for hill escapes across India.
Long Weekends in December 2026
1. December 25 (Friday) – Christmas
The most obvious dates are of the 3-day weekend (Dec 25–27) – perfect to combine with New Year for a longer break.
How to Spend the Break?
- Christmas in Goa, Shillong, Pondicherry, or Kerala is magical. Winter destinations like Kashmir, Himachal, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand come alive with snow and festivities.
- It’s also the best time for music festivals, beach parties, and luxurious year-end retreats.
With the long weekends of 2026 available for reference, you can now plan smarter, travel better, and enjoy every break to its fullest. From adventure-packed getaways to slow, relaxing escapes – this year is packed with opportunities to explore India like never before.
