There’s something about planning a trip early that feels like writing a love letter to your future self — a little promise that amid life’s chaos, you’ll carve out pockets of peace.
2026 is shaping up to be that year where calendars align like stars, gifting India a bunch of long weekends. Not too many, not too dramatic — just enough to sneak away, breathe a little deeper, roam a little wilder, and return home with stories embroidered into your memory.

So here’s your full month-wise long weekend planner for 2026, crafted with the softness of nostalgia, the blunt honesty of Gen-Z banter, and the respect for age-old Indian traditions that give each holiday its soul.

Let’s roll.

🌤 January 2026 — Fresh Beginnings & Winter Wanderlust

January always hits different — cold winds, warm blankets, and that inner voice telling you, “Bro, new year hai… kuch toh plan bana.”

Long Weekend #1 — New Year Chill Vibes

1 January (Thu)
2 January (Fri) — Take leave
3–4 January (Sat–Sun)
→ 4-day weekend

Perfect for:
Shimla snowfall hunts, Auli skiing, Jaipur literature safaris.

Long Weekend #2 — Republic Day Pride Trip

24 January (Sat)
25 January (Sun)
26 January (Mon — Republic Day)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Delhi parade, heritage walks, patriotic feels.

💗 February 2026 — Cool Breeze, Cute Plans

February is that soft month. Cold but not too cold, perfect for travel without melting into a puddle.

Long Weekend — Maha Shivratri Blessings

13 February (Fri — Maha Shivratri)
14–15 February (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Varanasi ghats, Somnath spiritual circuits, Ujjain darshan with night jagran feels.

🌼 March 2026 — Festivals, Colours & Road Trips

March comes with that “winter’s-almost-gone but let’s vibe anyway” energy.

Long Weekend — Holi Madness

27 March (Fri — Holi)
28–29 March (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Mathura-Vrindavan Holi, Pushkar colour festivals, Rishikesh river escapes.

🔥 April 2026 — Summer Starts Creeping In

April is like that annoying friend who arrives too early — the heat starts knocking. But the holidays? They’re sweet.

Long Weekend — Good Friday Escape

3 April (Fri — Good Friday)
4–5 April (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Goa churches, Kerala backwaters, Pondicherry peace trips.

🌱 May 2026 — Hot Month, Cool Holidays

May is fiery, but there’s always that urge to escape hill-station style.

Sadly, no natural long weekends, but…

Optional Long Weekend

1 May (Fri — Labour Day)
2–3 May (Sat–Sun)
→ 3 days only for states where Labour Day is a public holiday

Perfect for:
Darjeeling toy train mornings, Gangtok clouds, Manali cafés.

🌧 June 2026 — Monsoon Whispers

June brings the smell of rain hitting the earth — that old, earthy fragrance our ancestors loved.

No fixed long weekend, but…

Take 19 June (Fri) off with 20–21 June (Sat–Sun) to create a mini escape.

Perfect for:
Lonavala monsoons, Cherrapunji clouds, Wayanad green carpets.

☀️ July 2026 — Rains, Tea, and Chill

Monsoon is fully loaded. Roads smell like soil poetry.

Long Weekend — Eid Al-Adha

17 July (Fri — Eid Al-Adha)
18–19 July (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Hyderabad biryani pilgrimages, Lucknow food trails, Delhi Jama Masjid walks.

🌿 August 2026 — Independence, Rainbows & Revolutions

August is patriotic, romantic, rainy — India’s whole character arc in one month.

Long Weekend — Independence Day

15 August (Sat — Independence Day)
16 August (Sun)
→ 2 days only, unless…

Take 14 August (Fri) off for
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Kargil memorials, Red Fort flag vibes, Leh bike trips.

🍁 September 2026 — Transition Season Magic

September is that “I’m healing” month. Soft sunshine, light breezes.

Long Weekend — Ganesh Chaturthi

18 September (Fri — Ganesh Chaturthi)
19–20 September (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Mumbai visarjan, Pune pandals, Goa culture trails.

🎉 October 2026 — Festivals With That OG Indian Vibe

Big month. Big festivals. Big trips.

Long Weekend — Dussehra

24 October (Sat — Dussehra)
25 October (Sun)
→ 2 days
Take 23 October (Fri) off
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Mysuru Dasara, Kullu Dussehra, Varanasi ramleela vibes.

✨ November 2026 — Firecrackers, Light, and Peak Festive Energy

November is pure nostalgia — diyas, lights, family, and trips.

Long Weekend — Diwali

13 November (Fri — Diwali)
14–15 November (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Ayodhya deepotsav, Udaipur lake nights, Jaipur shopping sprees.

Long Weekend — Guru Nanak Jayanti

30 November (Mon — Gurpurab)
28–29 November (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Amritsar Golden Temple, Anandpur Sahib gurudwara tours.

❄️ December 2026 — Winter Wonderland & Closing Notes

December walks in wearing a muffler and nostalgia.

Long Weekend — Christmas

25 December (Fri — Christmas)
26–27 December (Sat–Sun)
→ 3-day weekend

Perfect for:
Goa beach nights, Shillong winter festivals, Kashmir snow trips.

🌏 Final Thoughts

2026 isn’t overflowing with long weekends, but the ones we do have? Chef’s kiss.
Use them wisely, plan early, and don’t wait for life to magically get calmer — steal your peace. Pack a bag. Step out. Wander. Return. Repeat.

Travel is the one old ritual that never goes out of style — a tradition passed down through generations, something even Gen-Z can vibe with without rolling their eyes.