Long weekends in 2026: A complete guide for holiday planning

With 2026 around the corner, Indian travellers and working professionals can already start planning vacations smartly. The 2026 calendar offers several long weekends, especially when public holidays fall on Mondays or Fridays, allowing people to enjoy extended breaks without taking too many leave days.

Based on the Central Government holiday calendar and commonly observed national holidays, 2026 presents multiple three-day weekends and a few opportunities to stretch holidays into four or five days with minimal leave. While some festivals depend on moon sightings and may vary slightly, the overall structure of the year remains travel-friendly.

The year begins on a positive note with Republic Day on Monday, January 26, creating the first long weekend. Spring also brings opportunities such as Good Friday in April and Buddha Purnima in May, both falling on Fridays. The monsoon months remain favourable too, with Muharram in June offering another three-day break.

The festive season from September to December is particularly attractive for holiday planners. Janmashtami (Friday, September 4) and Gandhi Jayanti (Friday, October 2) naturally extend into long weekends. Although Diwali falls on a Sunday, taking an additional leave can still help create a short break. The year ends perfectly with Christmas on Friday, December 25, making it ideal for year-end travel.

Employees who can plan their leaves strategically around holidays such as Ram Navami, Dussehra, and Guru Nanak Jayanti can convert them into longer vacations. Companies that allow restricted or optional holidays may offer even more flexibility.

Overall, 2026 provides several chances to balance work and travel efficiently. Early planning, advance bookings, and smart leave management can help travellers make the most of these long weekends.

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