Couldn’t visit your home this year? Even with all those long weekends? Why?
The answer is simple. You didn’t use your leaves strategically.
We get it. Work often takes over festivals and family time, but it shouldn’t take over you. So instead of just telling you to rest, we’re actually helping you plan it better.
We have analyzed the 2026 Calendar, combined it with the Best Seasons to Travel, and curated the ultimate list of long weekends. Whether you are a trekker, a backpacker, or someone who just needs a break, this list is your ticket to freedom.
Because to perform at your best, you need a break that doesn’t compromise your work.
And do you know the best part of working in India? Festivals throughout the year! This gives us a chance to club our leaves together and fulfill those incomplete desires. And if you’re a traveler, then this is the list you should actually ‘bookmark’ because we’ll make sure you complete your travel bucket list with this holiday calendar of India 2026.
Here is the month-wise list of long weekends in India for 2026, complete with ready-made itineraries for you.
Free Download: 2026 Long Weekend Calendar
Don’t want to scroll? Save our visual calendar on your phone to plan leaves before your colleagues do!
Long Weekend in January 2026 (Republic Day)
Your New Year’s resolution to hit the gym might fade by week 3, but the snow in the Himalayas isn’t going anywhere. January is the coldest month, meaning one thing: Fresh Snow. Stop scrolling through winter reels and start packing your thermals.
The Smart Move: You have 3 chances to travel this month. Pick your slot:
Plan A: The New Year Start (4 Days)
- Dates: Jan 1 (Thu) – Jan 4 (Sun)
- The Hack: Jan 1 is a Holiday. Take Leave on Jan 2 (Fri).
Plan B: The Harvest Break (5 Days)
- Dates: Jan 14 (Wed) – Jan 18 (Sun)
- The Hack: Jan 14 is a Holiday (Makar Sankranti). Take Leaves on Jan 15 & 16.
Plan C: Republic Day Weekend (4 Days)
- Dates: Jan 23 (Fri) – Jan 26 (Mon)
- The Hack: Jan 26 is a Holiday. No Leave Needed (if Jan 23 Vasant Panchami is off).
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in January:
- For Snow & Adventure: Spiti Winter Expedition 4×4
- For Relaxing Snow: Winter Kashmir Backpacking
- No Snow / Winter Sun: Rajasthan Backpacking
- Weekend Vibes: Bir Billing Paragliding
- International: Sri Lanka Group Tour
Long Weekend in February 2026
Unfortunately, no major long weekends naturally fall in this month.
The Opportunity: You don’t always need a holiday to travel; sometimes you just need an excuse. Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) falls on a Saturday.
The Hack: Skip the expensive dinner date in the city. Instead, take a Friday leave or just use the standard weekend to witness fresh snowfall in Manali or a cozy staycation in Jibhi.
Long Weekend in March 2026 (Holi)
The biggest festival awaits in early March. Standard city Holi is repetitive. Imagine celebrating with snowballs instead of water balloons, or dancing to local beats in a mountain village. This is the biggest long weekend of the first quarter, and sitting at home is not an option.
The Smart Move: March brings massive festivals. You have two solid chances to plan a trip.
Plan A: The Ultimate Holi Vacation (5 Days)
- Dates: Feb 28 (Sat) – Mar 4 (Wed)
- The Hack: Holi is on Wednesday (Mar 4). Take Leaves on Mar 2 (Mon) & Mar 3 (Tue).
- Result: Trade 2 leaves for a massive 5-day mountain party!
Plan B: The Festive Weekend (4 Days)
- Dates: Mar 19 (Thu) – Mar 22 (Sun)
- The Logic:
- Mar 19 (Thu): Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
- Mar 20 (Fri): Jamat Ul Vida / Regional Holiday
- Mar 21 (Sat): Ramzan / Weekend
- Mar 22 (Sun): Weekend
- Result: A natural 4-day break depending on your regional holiday list!
Recommended Long Weekend Trips (Departures: Feb 28th)
- Holi Specials: Sangla Valley Holi Trip | Pushkar Holi Celebration
- Snow & Adventure: Winter Spiti Expedition
- Best Treks: Kedarkantha Trek
- Cultural & Wildlife: Meghalaya with Kaziranga
- Road Trips: Road Trip to Bhutan
Long Weekend in April 2026 (Good Friday Weekend)
The city heat is turning up. Fans are spinning faster, and ACs are switching on. This is your last chance to see snow in the higher altitudes or enjoy the pleasant spring weather before the summer rush hits. Don’t wait for May when everyone else will be traveling.
The Smart Move: April is packed! You have two chances. A quick refresh on Good Friday, or a massive 5-day vacation during Baisakhi by taking just one leave.
Plan A: The Good Friday Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: Apr 3 (Fri) – Apr 5 (Sun)
- The Hack: Good Friday is a Holiday. No Leave Needed! Just pack your bags for Thursday night.
Plan B: The Baisakhi Long Haul (5 Days)
- Dates: Apr 11 (Sat) – Apr 15 (Wed)
- The Hack: Festivals (Vaisakhi/Bihu) fall on Tue & Wed. Take Leave on Apr 13 (Mon).
- Result: Combine the weekend (11-12) with the festivals for a solid 5-day vacation.
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in April:
- Trending: Bike & Backpacking to Tawang
- International: Bhutan Road Trip
- Winter Hangover: Spiti Valley Road Trip
- Best Treks: Kedarkantha Trek
- Northeast Special: Meghalaya Backpacking
Long Weekend in May 2026: The Summer Escape
The plains are burning. The AC bills are rising. The city feels like an oven. This is the time when the mountains aren’t just a destination; they are a survival strategy. While your friends are complaining about the heatwave, you could be wearing a jacket in the Himalayas.
The Smart Move: May starts with a blessing. You get a natural 3-day weekend to escape the heat without asking your boss for a single day off.
The Buddha Purnima Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: May 1 (Fri) – May 3 (Sun)
- The Hack: May 1 is a Holiday (Buddha Purnima). No Leave Needed! Pack your bags for Thursday night.
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in May:
- Treks: Sar Pass Trek
- Spiritual Calling: Chardham Yatra
- Escape the Heat: Mcleodganj Triund Trek
- Adventure Weekend: Bir Billing Paragliding
Long Weekend in June 2026
Schools are closed, and Manali is packed with tourists. Don’t follow the herd. Go where the roads have just opened. This is the only time the high passes of Ladakh and Spiti welcome travelers with walls of snow on both sides of the road.
The Smart Move: You get a natural long weekend right at the end of the month to kickstart your summer expedition.
The Muharram Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: June 26 (Fri) – June 28 (Sun)
- The Hack: June 26 is a Holiday (Muharram). No Leave Needed! It’s the perfect window to start a long road trip or a high-altitude trek.
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in June:
- The Crossover: Hampta Pass Trek
- The Road Trip: Spiti Valley Circuit
- The Dream: Leh-Ladakh Expedition
- Weekend Escape: Kareri Lake Trek
Long Weekend in July 2026
The Reality: Unfortunately, there are no long weekends in July 2026.
The Opportunity: Use this month to save money and plan for the massive travel window opening in August. Or, if you work remotely, take a Workation in the monsoon-washed mountains of Jibhi or Manali where prices drop significantly.
Long Weekend in August 2026
Forget the umbrella; grab a raincoat. The mountains aren’t just “wet” right now; they are alive. Waterfalls are roaring, and dry brown hills have turned neon green. If you love clouds walking with you, this is the best month to travel.
The Smart Move: This is the Jackpot Weekend of 2026! With festivals landing on Wednesday and Friday, you just need to pinch one leave to unlock a full mini-vacation.
The Raksha Bandhan Break (5 Days)
- Dates: Aug 26 (Wed) – Aug 30 (Sun)
- The Hack:
- Aug 26 (Wed): Holiday (Onam / Milad un-Nabi).
- Aug 27 (Thu): Take Leave.
- Aug 28 (Fri): Holiday (Raksha Bandhan).
- Result: Trade 1 leave for a massive 5-day lush green vacation!
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in August:
- Limited Edition: Valley of Flowers Trek
- Festive Vibes: Kerala Backpacking Trip
- Cloud Country: Meghalaya Backpacking
- Rain Shadow Area: Spiti Valley Road Trip
- Weekend Trek: Hampta Pass Trek
Long Weekend in September 2026
The heavy rains are gone, but the dust hasn’t settled yet. The air is crisp, the views are HD quality, and the mountains are practically empty. This is the “Shoulder Season”—meaning fewer crowds, better deals, and the clearest mountain views of the year.
The Smart Move: September is generous! You get two natural long weekends back-to-back without spending a single leave. Pick your slot!
Plan A: The Janmashtami Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: Sep 4 (Fri) – Sep 6 (Sun)
- The Hack: Sep 4 is a Holiday (Janmashtami). No Leave Needed! Pack for a Friday morning departure.
Plan B: The Ganesh Chaturthi Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: Sep 12 (Sat) – Sep 14 (Mon)
- The Hack: Sep 14 is a Holiday (Ganesh Chaturthi). No Leave Needed! Extend your weekend into Monday.
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in September:
- Last Call for Ladakh: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip
- Trekking: Ali Bedni Bugyal
- Meghalaya: Meghalaya Backpacking
- Weekend Vibes: Rishikesh Rafting and Camping
Long Weekend in October 2026 (Gandhi Jayanti & Dussehra)
Ask any trekker their favorite month, and they will say October. The monsoon haze is gone, the sky is a deep, clear blue, and the mountain peaks are visible in high definition. No rain, no freezing cold—just perfect weather. This is the undisputed “Golden Season” for outdoor adventure.
The Smart Move: You have two solid shots at adventure this month. A quick natural getaway early in the month, or a longer festive break during Dussehra.
Plan A: The Gandhi Jayanti Break (3 Days)
- Dates: Oct 2 (Fri) – Oct 4 (Sun)
- The Hack: Oct 2 is a Holiday (Gandhi Jayanti). No Leave Needed! Pack your bags for Thursday night.
Plan B: The Dussehra Long Haul (4 Days)
- Dates: Oct 17 (Sat) – Oct 20 (Tue)
- The Hack: Dussehra falls on Oct 20 (Tuesday). Take Leave on Oct 19 (Monday – Mahanavami).
- Result: Trade 1 leave for a 4-day festive vacation!
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in October:
- Adventure: Rishikesh Rafting and Camping
- Best Views: Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Trek
- Northeast: Tawang Bike and Backpacking
- Flying High: Bir Billing Paragliding
- Nature & Wildlife: Jim Corbett Safari
Long Weekend in November 2026 (Diwali)
Diwali in the city usually means choking pollution and endless traffic jams. But Diwali in Pushkar or Amritsar means culture, spirituality, and thousands of oil lamps lighting up the night. Swap the noise for peace and experience India’s festivals the way they were meant to be celebrated.
The Smart Move: Diwali falls on a Sunday this year (tough luck!), but November gives you a second chance with Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Plan A: The Diwali Extension (3 Days)
- Dates: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 9 (Mon)
- The Hack: Diwali is on Nov 8 (Sunday). However, many offices give Govardhan Puja (Nov 9, Mon) as an optional or restricted holiday. Use it!
- Result: A peaceful 3-day cultural escape.
Plan B: The Guru Nanak Jayanti Break (4 Days)
- Dates: Nov 21 (Sat) – Nov 24 (Tue)
- The Hack: Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Nov 24 (Tuesday). Take Leave on Nov 23 (Monday).
- Result: Trade 1 leave for a 4-day trip to the Golden Temple or the Desert!
Recommended Long Weekend Trips in November:
- The World Famous Fair: Pushkar Camel Fair
- Desert Camping: Jaisalmer and Thar Desert
- Dev Deepawali: Varanasi Trip
- Nature: Jim Corbett Jungle Safari
Long Weekend in December 2026
You worked hard all year. Deadlines, meetings, traffic—you survived it all. Do not spend the last long weekend of 2026 sitting on your couch watching reruns. End the year on a high note—literally, at 10,000 feet. Whether you want a White Christmas or a pre-New Year party, this is your moment.
The Smart Move: Santa came early! Christmas (Dec 25) falls on a Friday, gifting you a natural 3-day weekend to wrap up the year in style.
The Christmas Weekend (3 Days)
- Dates: Dec 25 (Fri) – Dec 27 (Sun)
- The Hack: Dec 25 is a Holiday. No Leave Needed!
- Vibe Check: Snow, Bonfires, Cakes & Party
- Crowd Prediction: Very High (Prices peak, so book by November!)
Recommended Long Weekend Trips (End the Year with a Bang)
- Snow Sports: Auli Weekend Trip
- Winter Wonderland: Spiti Winter Expedition
- Party & Chill: Manali Kasol Jibhi Trip
- Trekking: Kedarkantha Trek
Final Words: Don’t Let 2026 Be Just Another Year
The calendar is out. The dates are marked. The only thing missing is You in the mountains.
You can enhance many of these natural long weekends by taking 1-2 days leave either before or after the holiday if your schedule permits. Key national holidays like Republic Day (January 26, Monday) create standalone long weekends without extra leave, while festivals like Diwali often give you a chance to plan a longer cultural escape.
⚠️ Important Note: Some festival dates are tentative and based on lunar calendar observations, and regional differences exist in holiday observance. We recommend keeping your plans slightly flexible.
Before you go, remember the Golden Rules:
- Book Early: Flight and train prices skyrocket 3 weeks before long weekends.
- Travel Together: Solo or with a group, JustWravel makes sure you never travel alone.
We hope everything is sorted out. So, what are you waiting for? Go on, apply for that leave and give yourself the rest you truly deserve.
Explore All Long Weekend Upcoming Batches for 2026 Here: Long Weekend Trips Packages
Happy and Safe Travels!
FAQ’s
There are over 15 potential long weekends in 2026 if you plan strategically. While some are natural 3-day weekends (like Republic Day and Christmas), others require you to take just one smart leave to unlock a 4 or 5-day vacation. Our calendar above breaks down exactly which dates to pick.
The biggest opportunity is in January and August.
• January: The Harvest Festival (Makar Sankranti) week also allows for a 5-day break (Jan 14-18) by taking 2 leaves.
• August: By taking just 1 leave on Aug 27 (Thursday), you can enjoy a 5-day trip (Aug 26-30) combining Onam/Milad-un-Nabi and Raksha Bandhan.
Unfortunately, Diwali (Nov 8) falls on a Sunday in 2026. However, you can still save your trip by utilizing the Guru Nanak Jayanti long weekend later in November (Nov 21-24) or checking if your office gives Govardhan Puja (Monday) off.
For snow, target the Republic Day (Jan 23-26) or Holi (Feb 28 – Mar 4) weekends.
• Best Places: Spiti Valley, Gulmarg (Kashmir), Auli, and Kedarkantha Trek are covered in snow during these months.
Yes. Since 2026 has many “perfect” long weekends, destinations like Manali, Rishikesh, and Goa will get sold out very fast. Flight prices also spike 3 weeks before dates like Good Friday or Christmas. We highly recommend booking your slots at least 30 days prior.
If you want a quick escape under ₹7,000 – ₹10,000, choose overnight road trips from Delhi/Chandigarh.
• Top Picks: Lansdowne, Rishikesh (Rafting), Bir Billing (Paragliding), Kasol, or a weekend trek to Triund. These save flight costs and maximize your time.
