Long weekend holidays 2026 are the main ingredient of your great travel plans. Just the knowledge that long weekend holidays 2026 are on the brim gives so much joy and thrill. The best part about long weekend holidays 2026 list is that they give you the joy of a mini-vacation without emptying the leave balance and also by not letting your children miss school.
In a country as diverse as India extended weekend holidays 2026 will open the door to beaches, mountains, heritage cities, festivals, religious places and most importantly to family time. The year 2026 is especially promising for long weekend lovers, offering several well-placed national holidays and plenty of scope to plan extended breaks by taking just a day or two off. This blog is a practical, planner-friendly look at long weekend holidays in India in 2026, along with tips on how to make the most of them.
Why the knowledge of list of holidays 2026 in unison with Long Weekends is necessary
Holidays 2026 calendar in India is a mix of three fixed-date national holidays and region and religion based festival holidays that vary by religion and state. In 2026, some major national and other holidays are falling just adjacent to weekends and some either on thursday or making them ideal for 3–4 day breaks by managing just one day of leave. By combining them with a couple of strategic leave days, and you can easily turn these into 5–9 day vacations making it a perfect time for quality family time.
Another advantage of planning early for 2026 is cost control. Flights, trains, and hotels tend to spike around long weekends, so advance planning can save both money and stress.
Key Long Weekend holidays 2026 opportunities for you
1. New Year- Thursday (1st of January)
The first long weekend of the year 2026. As some organisations offer leave on New Year day and almost all school and colleges are off on that day, just by taking an off on 02nd of January, 2026 you can plan a 4-5 day family vacation and plan short trip to Jaipur, Udaipur, Mussoorie, Coorg, Goa etc.
2. Basant Panchami – Friday (23rd of January)
If combined with Republic Day leave you can enjoy 4 day uninterrupted family time and plan short trips.
3. Republic Day Weekend (January)
Republic Day – 26 January 2026 (Monday)
This is one of the best long weekends of the year right at the start. With Saturday and Sunday preceding Monday, you get a 3-day long weekend without taking any leave.
Travel ideas:
- Short hill trips (Mussoorie, Mount Abu, Coorg)
- Cultural city breaks (Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, Mysore)
- Attending Republic Day-themed events in Delhi
4. Holi Weekend – Wednesday (4th of March)
Holi is celebrated nationwide, though the exact date and holiday observance may vary slightly by state and employer. In many years, Holi falls close to a weekend, making it a great opportunity for a 3 or 4-day break.
Travel ideas:
- Mathura–Vrindavan for traditional Holi celebrations
- Pushkar or Jaipur or Mysore or Kochi for cultural festivities
- Quiet retreats if you prefer to avoid crowds
5. Ram Navami -Thursday (26th of March)
You can visit either Ram Janm Bhoomi Ayodhya or by taking a day or two extra visit Srinagar for the Tulip Festival or go visit Ladakh.
6. Good Friday & Easter – Friday (3rd of April)
Good Friday is widely observed across India, especially by banks, schools, and central institutions. When it falls on a Friday (as it often does), it combines with the weekend into a 3-day holiday, sometimes even longer if Easter Monday is observed.
Travel ideas:
- Goa and Kerala (beaches + Easter celebrations)
- Pondicherry
- Short international trips to nearby destinations
7. Budhh Purnima- Friday (1st of May)
Perfect time to go on the hills and enjoy in Coor, Ooty, Manali, Nainital and Shimla or even go to Bodh Gaya for Budhh Purnima.
8. Independence Day Weekend (August)
Independence Day – 15 August 2026 (Saturday)
Since Independence Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, it does not automatically create a long weekend. However, if your organization gives Friday or Monday off, or if you combine it with nearby festivals (like Raksha Bandhan, depending on dates), you can still plan a meaningful break.
Travel ideas:
- Monsoon destinations (Lonavala, Munnar, Cherrapunji)
- Cultural heritage circuits
- Staycations with family
9. Raksha Bandhan- Friday (28th of August)
On this weekend do plan a visit to either your parent’s place or to your sister’s house to celebrate this auspicious day.
10. Ganesh Chaturthi- Monday (14th of September)
If possible do plan a visit to the Finance Capital Mumbai and watch the grandeur and sacredness of Lord Ganesh.
11. Gandhi Jayanti Weekend (October)
Gandhi Jayanti – 2 October 2026 (Friday)
This is another excellent opportunity: a 3-day long weekend (Friday–Sunday) with no leave required.
Travel ideas:
- Wildlife sanctuaries as parks reopen after monsoon
- Spiritual destinations (Rishikesh, Varanasi)
- Heritage walks and slow travel experiences
12. Diwali Break: Dhanteras to Govardhan Puja
6th November – 10th November (Friday to Tuesday)
Diwali is one of India’s biggest holidays, and many offices offer multiple days off. Depending on how Diwali falls in 2026, you may be able to enjoy a 5-6 day break or even longer with a day or two of leave.
Travel ideas:
- Family visits and hometown travel
- Luxury resort stays
- Safari like Jim Corbett
- International trips, as many people plan long vacations during Diwali
13. Chhath Puja- Friday (13th November)
If possible do plan a visit to Bihar this Sun Festival Chhath.
14. Christmas & Year-End Holidays (December)
Christmas – 25 December 2026 (Friday)
This sets up a 3-day weekend, and when combined with year-end leave, can easily turn into a 7–10 day holiday extending into New Year 2027.
Travel ideas:
- Hill stations and winter destinations
- Goa and beach festivals
- International travel (Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East)
How to Maximize Long Weekend Holidays 2026
Track your state-specific holidays
India’s holiday calendar varies by state and employer. Festivals like Holi, Diwali, Onam, Durga Puja, and Eid may give you extra long weekends depending on where you live and work.
- Use the so called sandwich leave adequately
Taking leave between a holiday and a weekend can multiply your days off—but some organizations have policies around this, so plan accordingly. - Book and plan early for popular weekends
Flights and hotels fill up fast during long weekends. Booking 2–4 months in advance is ideal. - Mix long trips and micro-breaks
Not every long weekend needs to be a big trip. Use some for rest, hobbies, or family time to avoid burnout.
Final Thoughts on Long Weekend Holidays 2026 in India
Long weekend holidays 2026 in India offers a perfect balance of rest, travel, family time, togetherness and celebration. With smart and advanced planning, you can enjoy multiple mini-vacations and getaways without exhausting your leave balance. These holiday planning will enable even your children to enjoy and take a break without missing school.
Whether you’re dreaming of mountains, beaches, festivals, or just uninterrupted downtime, 2026 has plenty of opportunities to recharge and explore. If you plan ahead, those long weekends can become the highlights of your year not just breaks from work, but memories in the making.