Holiday List 2026 & Long Weekends Guide
Posted on : 24 November, 2025 6:56 pm
Introduction
Planning ahead saves time and stress. With our “Holiday List 2026 & Long Weekends Guide,” you can organize your year for maximum enjoyment and productivity. For students and staff, organizing your schedule early means smoother academic progress and more quality relaxation.
Moreover, with each holiday bringing fresh opportunities, you can easily arrange trips, family gatherings, or extra study sessions. As you review the complete list of holidays in India 2026, you’ll notice how simple it is to combine weekends and public holidays for longer getaways. Therefore, this guide gives you everything you need to maximize your leave, save energy, and balance work with fun.
Use our comprehensive calendar to plan ahead, boost productivity, and soak in every special moment in 2026!
Table: Holiday List 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Type |
| January 26 | Monday | Republic Day | Gazetted Holiday |
| March 4 | Wednesday | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
| March 21 | Saturday | Id-ul-Fitr | Gazetted Holiday |
| March 26 | Thursday | Ram Navami | Gazetted Holiday |
| March 31 | Tuesday | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday | Gazetted Holiday |
| May 1 | Friday | Buddha Purnima | Gazetted Holiday |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Bakrid (Id-ul-Zuha) | Gazetted Holiday |
| June 26 | Friday | Muharram | Gazetted Holiday |
| August 15 | Saturday | Independence Day | Gazetted Holiday |
| August 26 | Wednesday | Milad-un-Nabi | Gazetted Holiday |
| September 4 | Friday | Janmashtami | Gazetted Holiday |
| October 2 | Friday | Gandhi Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| October 20 | Tuesday | Dussehra | Gazetted Holiday |
| November 8 | Sunday | Diwali (Deepavali) | Gazetted Holiday |
| November 24 | Tuesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Gazetted Holiday |
List of Long Weekends in 2026
| Dates | Days | Occasion / Holiday | How to Plan |
| Jan 24–26 | Sat–Mon | Republic Day (Jan 26) | 3-day weekend |
| Mar 4–6 | Wed–Fri | Holi (Mar 4) | Take leave Thu & Fri |
| Mar 21–23 | Sat–Mon | Id-ul-Fitr (Mar 21) | 3-day weekend |
| Apr 3–5 | Fri–Sun | Good Friday (Apr 3) | 3-day weekend |
| May 1–3 | Fri–Sun | Buddha Purnima (May 1) | 3-day weekend |
| May 27–29 | Wed–Fri | Bakrid (May 27) | Take leave Thu & Fri |
| Jun 26–28 | Fri–Sun | Muharram (June 26) | 3-day weekend |
| Aug 15–17 | Sat–Mon | Independence Day (Aug 15) | 3-day weekend |
| Sep 4–6 | Fri–Sun | Janmashtami (Sep 4) | 3-day weekend |
| Oct 2–4 | Fri–Sun | Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2) | 3-day weekend |
| Oct 18–20 | Sun–Tue | Dussehra (Oct 20) | Take leave Mon |
| Nov 8–10 | Sun–Tue | Diwali (Nov 8) | Take leave Mon & Tue |
| Dec 25–27 | Fri–Sun | Christmas (Dec 25) | 3-day weekend |
Tip: Mark your calendars. Use these blocks for travel, relaxation or family events!
How to Maximize Your Leave in 2026
- Align leaves with long weekends: Take 1–2 annual leave days next to holidays for 4–5 day breaks.
- Club holidays in the same week: For overlapping holidays, take leaves in between.
- Look for midweek holidays: If a holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday, take leave on Monday or Friday.
2026 Leave Optimization Guide
| Month | Holiday | Leave to Take | Total Days Off | Strategy |
| January | Republic Day | Take Friday (Jan 23) | 4 (Jan 23–26) | Add one leave to the weekend |
| March | Holi | Take Thu & Fri | 5 (Mar 4–8) | Make a midweek holiday a long break |
| March | Id-ul-Fitr | Take Monday (Mar 23) | 3 (Mar 21–23) | Extend weekend for quick trip |
| April | Good Friday | None needed | 3 (Apr 3–5) | Natural long weekend |
| May | Buddha Purnima | Take Thu (Apr 30) | 4 (Apr 30–May 3) | Extend with Labour Day |
| August | Independence Day | Take Fri (Aug 14) | 4 (Aug 14–17) | Stretch the August weekend |
| October | Gandhi Jayanti | Take Mon (Oct 5) | 4 (Oct 2–5) | Extend after festival |
| November | Diwali | Take Fri (Nov 6) | 4 (Nov 6–9) | Make Diwali celebration even longer |
| December | Christmas | None needed | 3 (Dec 25–27) | Natural end-of-year break |
General Tips:
- Plan early and apply for leaves ASAP.
- Mix restricted and casual leaves.
- Use state holidays to your advantage.
- Check your employer or college leave rules.
Additional Key Dates (Widely Celebrated, Not All Are National Holidays)
- January 14: Makar Sankranti
- April 14: Ambedkar Jayanti
- August 28: Raksha Bandhan
- October 18–20: Durga Puja
- November 9: Govardhan Puja
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are these dates for all of India?
Most national holidays apply nationwide. Some festivals are state/regional.
Q: Can my class or exam move due to holidays?
Yes. Puran Murti College adjusts academic schedules for official holidays.
Q: Are offices closed on gazetted holidays?
Most government offices, colleges, and many private companies are closed.
Q: Are all religious festivals national holidays?
Some are, but many are celebrated regionally.
Why Are National Holidays Important?
- Unite citizens across cultures
- Preserve diversity and traditions
- Provide rest, time with loved ones
- Every festival brings unique joy
Puran Murti College wishes you a joyful, restful, and inspiring 2026! For regular updates, stay connected. Apply Now.