List of Public Holidays in India – Complete Travel Calendar (2026)

Introduction: Why Public Holidays Are the Best Time to Travel in India

In India, public holidays are more than just days off.

Planning trips around public holidays is one of the smartest ways to travel more using fewer leaves. This complete India holiday calendar for 2026 helps you plan long weekends, festival trips, family holidays, and budget travel in advance.

They are perfect opportunities to travel, spend time with family, and explore new destinations.

From Republic Day long weekends to festival holidays like Diwali and Christmas, smart travelers plan trips around holidays to save leave days and get maximum experiences.

At FlipMyTravel, we help travellers convert public holidays into memorable journeys, not crowded stress trips.

This guide gives you:

• A complete public holiday travel calendar (2026)
• Best travel ideas for each season
• Highlights & activities for holiday-based trips
• Smart long-weekend planning tips

Quick Highlights

• Complete list of public holidays in India (2026)
• Best travel months using holidays
• Festival-wise travel planning ideas
• Long weekend trip inspiration
• Expert holiday travel tips by FlipMyTravel

National & Gazetted Public Holidays in India – 2026

These holidays are observed by most government offices, banks, and institutions across India.

*Festival dates may vary slightly based on moon sighting.

FlipMyTravel Tip: Use Friday or Monday holidays to plan 3–4 day trips without taking extra leave.

Restricted / Optional Holidays in India – 2026

These holidays are observed regionally or can be taken as optional leave.

FlipMyTravel Insight: Optional holidays are perfect for short regional trips and festival experiences.

Best Ways to Use This Holiday Calendar for Travel

✔ Plan Long Weekends

Combine Friday/Monday holidays with weekends.

✔ Travel During Festivals

Experience culture, food, and local traditions.

✔ Save Money

Early bookings = lower bus, train, and hotel prices.

✔ Beat Crowds

Choose lesser-known destinations during peak holidays.

You can easily plan your holiday trips using FlipMyTravel’s bus, train, and hotel booking options for seamless travel across India.

Why This Holiday Calendar Matters for Travelers

• Helps plan budget-friendly vacations
• Perfect for family & solo travel
• Ideal for work-from-anywhere trips
• Supports festival & cultural tourism

👉 Bookmark this page or save it for 2026 travel planning.

January Public Holidays – New Beginnings & Winter Travel

Major Holidays

• New Year’s Day – January 1 (Thursday)
• Makar Sankranti / Pongal – January 14 (Wednesday)
• Republic Day – January 26 (Monday)

January is ideal for winter travel, pleasant weather, and scenic experiences.

Highlights

• Cool climate across India
• Snow destinations in North India
• Festival atmosphere nationwide

Activities

• Republic Day parade in Delhi
• Snow activities in Himachal & Kashmir
• Desert festivals in Rajasthan
• Beach trips to Goa

Image: Republic Day parade and winter travel destinations in India

FlipMyTravel Tip:
Republic Day creates a long weekend – perfect for short trips booked early.

February Public Holidays – Culture & Calm Travel

Major Holidays

• Vasant Panchami – January 23 (Friday) (observed end of Jan / early Feb travel)
• Maha Shivaratri – February 15 (Sunday)

February is peaceful, less crowded, and great for spiritual and cultural travel.

Highlights

• Pleasant weather
• Spiritual festivals
• Lower travel rush

Activities

• Temple visits during Shivaratri
• Cultural tours in South India
• Romantic hill station trips
• Wildlife safaris

March Public Holidays – Colors, Joy & Energy

Major Holidays

• Holi – March 4 (Wednesday)
• Ramzan Begins – March (date varies)

March marks the start of festival energy and early summer travel.

 Highlights

• Colorful celebrations
• Cultural experiences
• Comfortable weather in most regions

 
Activities

• Holi celebrations in Mathura & Vrindavan
• City food walks
• Heritage site visits
• Weekend getaways

Image: Holi festival celebrations in India

April Public Holidays – Heritage & Spiritual Trips

Major Holidays

• Ram Navami – March 26 (Thursday) (travel spills into early April)
• Mahavir Jayanti – March 31 (Tuesday)
• Good Friday – April 3 (Friday)

April is ideal for temple circuits and heritage travel before peak summer.

Highlights

• Religious significance
• School holiday planning begins
• Moderate crowds

Activities

• Ayodhya & Varanasi visits
• Church tours during Good Friday
• Historical monument exploration
• Family vacations

May Public Holidays – Summer Break Planning

Major Holidays

• Labour Day – May 1 (Friday)
• Buddha Purnima – May 1 (Friday)

May is the peak school vacation season, ideal for hill stations.

Highlights

• Long summer breaks
• Family travel season
• Pleasant hill station weather

Activities

• Hill station holidays
• Nature retreats
• Spiritual travel to Bodh Gaya
• Resort stays

Image: Hill station travel in summer in India

June & July Public Holidays – Monsoon Getaways

Major Holidays

• Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) – May 27 (Wednesday) (late May / early June travel)
• Muharram – June 26 (Friday)
• Rath Yatra – July 16 (Thursday)

Monsoon travel is underrated but magical for nature lovers.

Highlights

• Lush green landscapes
• Off-season discounts
• Cultural festivals

 
Activities

• Waterfall visits
• Temple festivals like Rath Yatra
• Ayurveda retreats
• Quiet hill escapes

August Public Holidays – Patriotic & Festive Travel

Major Holidays

• Independence Day – August 15 (Saturday)
• Raksha Bandhan – August 28 (Friday)
• Janmashtami – September 4 (Friday) (travel starts late August)

August brings emotional and festive travel moments.

Highlights

• Patriotic celebrations
• Family bonding
• Monsoon beauty

 
Activities

• Flag hoisting events
• Krishna temple visits
• Sibling trips
• Coastal road trips

Image: Independence Day celebrations in India

September Public Holidays – Quiet & Budget-Friendly

Major Holidays

• Ganesh Chaturthi – September 14 (Monday)
• Onam / Thiru Onam – August 26 (Wednesday) (early Sept travel)

September is perfect for budget and cultural travel.

Highlights

• Fewer crowds
• Festival vibes
• Good hotel deals

Activities

• Ganesh Visarjan experience
• Onam celebrations in Kerala
• Backwater trips
• Cultural food festivals

October Public Holidays – Best Month for Travel

Major Holidays

• Gandhi Jayanti – October 2 (Friday)
• Navratri – October (varies)
• Dussehra – October 20 (Tuesday)

October is the best travel month in India.

Highlights

• Perfect weather
• Multiple festivals
• Long weekend opportunities

 
Activities

• Navratri Garba nights
• Dussehra celebrations
• Heritage city tours
• Desert festivals

Image: Navratri and Dussehra celebrations in India

November Public Holidays – Lights, Faith & Family

Major Holidays

• Diwali – November 8 (Sunday)
• Guru Nanak Jayanti – November 24 (Tuesday)

November blends faith, family, and travel.

 Highlights

• Diwali celebrations nationwide
• Pleasant climate
• Cultural richness

 
Activities

• Diwali in Jaipur or Varanasi
• Temple visits
• Family vacations
• Shopping festivals

December Public Holidays – Year-End Celebrations

Major Holidays

• Christmas – December 25 (Friday)
• New Year’s Eve – December 31 (Thursday)

December is the peak holiday travel season.

Highlights

• Festive atmosphere
• Winter vacations
• International travel season

 
Activities

• Christmas in Goa & Kerala
• New Year beach parties
• Hill station winter trips
• Year-end family travel

Image: Christmas and New Year celebrations in India

How FlipMyTravel Helps You Plan Smart Holiday Trips

At FlipMyTravel, we don’t just list holidays. We help you use them wisely.

We focus on:

• Long weekend trip ideas
• Crowd-free destination suggestions
• Budget-friendly holiday planning
• Family & senior-friendly routes

Explore more topics for helpful travel information:

• Budget Travel Tips for Indians
• Long Weekend Getaways in India
• Best Time to Visit Indian Destinations
• Best Places to Visit in India in January
• Cheapest Places to Travel in India
• Festival Travel Destinations in India
• Weekend Trips from Major Cities

FAQs Public Holidays & Travel Planning – FlipMyTravel

How many public holidays are there in India?
India has national, religious, and regional holidays that vary by state.

Which months are best for holiday travel?
October to March offers the best weather and festival options.

How can I travel more using fewer leaves?
Combine weekends with public holidays and book early using FlipMyTravel.

Final Thoughts: Turn Holidays into Experiences, Not Just Breaks

Public holidays are gifts. When planned well, they become memories not missed opportunities.

With the right calendar, smart planning, and trusted guidance, you can travel more without using more leaves.

Let FlipMyTravel help you convert every holiday into a meaningful journey.