The Ultimate 2026 Long Weekend Guide: Travel More, Work Less!
Planning your year is all about “Leave Hacks”—knowing exactly when to take one day off to get a four-day vacation. In 2026, the calendar is surprisingly generous, especially in March, August, and October.
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Here is your month-by-month roadmap to maximize your public holidays and save your annual leaves.
Also Read | India Ends Electric 3-Wheeler Subsidy as PM E-DRIVE Targets Hit 3 Months Early
January: The Double Reset
Kick off 2026 with two solid chances to escape.
New Year Break: Jan 1 (Thu) is New Year’s Day. Take Jan 2 (Fri) off to enjoy a 4-day weekend (Jan 1–4).
Republic Day Weekend: Jan 26 falls on a Monday. Combined with Sat-Sun, it’s a natural 3-day weekend.
Where to go: Fresh snow in Manali or heritage walks in Jaipur.
March & April: The Festival Marathon
March is the “Golden Month” for travelers in 2026.
Holi Weekend: Holi is on March 4 (Wed). Take March 2 & 3 off to get a massive 5-day break starting from the previous Saturday.
The “April 3” Break: Good Friday (April 3) creates a 3-day weekend.
Where to go: Varanasi for Holi or Rishikesh for a spiritual spring reset.
May & June: Summer Escapes
Labour Day/Buddha Purnima: May 1 falls on a Friday, giving you a 3-day weekend (May 1–3).
Muharram Break: June 26 is a Friday, perfect for a mid-summer 3-day getaway.
Where to go: High-altitude treks in Lahaul-Spiti or the tea gardens of Munnar.
Also Read | India Ends Electric 3-Wheeler Subsidy as PM E-DRIVE Targets Hit 3 Months Early
August & September: Monsoon Magic
The August Hack: Onam/Milad-un-Nabi is on Aug 26 (Wed) and Raksha Bandhan is Aug 28 (Fri). Take Aug 27 (Thu) off to turn one leave into a 5-day vacation (Aug 26–30).
Janmashtami: Sept 4 (Fri) gives you a 3-day weekend.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Sept 14 (Mon) creates another 3-day window.
Where to go: The lush green waterfalls of Coorg or Lonavala.
October to December: The Grand Finale
Gandhi Jayanti: Oct 2 is a Friday, giving you a 3-day weekend.
Dussehra: Oct 20 (Tue). Take Oct 19 (Mon) off to enjoy a 4-day festive break.
Diwali: Nov 8 (Sun). Since Govardhan Puja (Nov 9) is often a holiday, you still get a 3-day weekend.
Christmas: Dec 25 (Fri) rounds out the year with a final 3-day weekend.
Where to go: Goa for the year-end vibes or Jaisalmer for desert camping.
2026 Leave Hack Summary
| Month | Holiday | Days Off | The “Hack” (Leave to Take) |
| January | New Year | 4 Days | Take Jan 2 (Friday) |
| March | Holi | 5 Days | Take Mar 2 & 3 (Mon-Tue) |
| August | Onam + Rakhi | 5 Days | Take Aug 27 (Thursday) |
| October | Dussehra | 4 Days | Take Oct 19 (Monday) |
| November | Guru Nanak J. | 4 Days | Take Nov 23 (Monday) |
Also Read | India Ends Electric 3-Wheeler Subsidy as PM E-DRIVE Targets Hit 3 Months Early
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