What is the story about?
As the calendar flips towards a new year, one thing quietly excites seasoned travellers more than flight sales or hotel discounts: long weekends. In 2026,
India’s holiday pattern offers several well-spaced extended breaks—perfect for short trips without burning through your leave balance. Whether you are planning slow hill retreats, quick beach escapes, food-led road trips or heritage breaks, this month-by-month long weekend guide for 2026 helps you lock dates early and travel smart. We’ve also added handpicked destinations within 400 km of Delhi, Mumbai and Kerala, so planning feels effortless rather than overwhelming.
January 2026: A Fresh Start With a Ready-Made Long Weekend
The year begins kindly for travellers.
Key holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day (Thursday)
January 23 – Vasant Panchami (Restricted Holiday)
January 26 – Republic Day (Monday)
Long weekend windows
January 1–4 (take leave on Friday, January 2)
January 23–26
Where to go (within 400 km)
From Delhi
Jaipur (280 km): Winter markets, heritage walks, café hopping
Rishikesh (240 km): Yoga retreats, river rafting, quiet ashrams
From Mumbai
Alibaug (95 km): Sea-facing villas and Konkan seafood
Nashik (165 km): Vineyards and temple trails
From Kerala
Wayanad (varies): Coffee estates, misty mornings, forest stays
March 2026: A Calm Long Weekend Before Summer Peaks
Towards the end of March, Jamat-ul-Vida (observed as a holiday in several regions) falls on Friday, March 28, followed by the weekend.
Long weekend window
March 28–30
Where to go
Lansdowne (250 km from Delhi): Colonial calm and pine forests
Bhandardara (165 km from Mumbai): Lakeside camping and quiet treks
April 2026: Easter Weekend, Sorted
Good Friday lands on April 3, followed by Saturday and Easter Sunday (April 5).
Long weekend window
April 3–5
Where to go
Agra (230 km from Delhi): Taj Mahal at sunrise, Mughal cuisine
Matheran (80 km from Mumbai): Asia’s only vehicle-free hill station
May 2026: A Perfect Pre-Monsoon Escape
Buddha Purnima falls on Friday, May 1, making it an easy three-day break.
Where to go
Mussoorie (290 km from Delhi): Mall Road strolls before peak crowds
Diveagar (170 km from Mumbai): Quiet beaches and homestays
June 2026: Monsoon-Friendly Long Weekend
Muharram falls on Friday, June 26, followed by the weekend.
Long weekend window
June 26–28
Where to go
Udaipur (390 km from Delhi): Lakes come alive in the rains
Mahabaleshwar (285 km from Mumbai): Strawberry trails and foggy views
July 2026: No Long Weekends—Plan Staycations Instead
July does not offer extended breaks. This is a good month to save leave days or explore food walks and short overnight trips closer home.
August 2026: Raksha Bandhan Makes It Easy
Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, August 28.
Long weekend window
August 28–30
Where to go
Neemrana (125 km from Delhi): Heritage fort stay
Ganpatipule (375 km from Mumbai): Monsoon sea views and temple visits
September 2026: Two Short But Useful Breaks
Key holidays
September 4 – Janmashtami (Friday)
September 14 – Ganesh Chaturthi (Monday)
Long weekend windows
September 4–6
September 12–14
Where to go
Pushkar (415 km from Delhi, ideal with one extra day)
Gokarna (close to Kerala): Temple town with quiet beaches
October 2026: The Goldmine Month for Travellers
October is where 2026 truly shines.
Long weekend 1
October 2 (Friday) – Gandhi Jayanti
October 2–4
Long weekend 2
Durga Puja & Dussehra cluster
October 17–20 (Saturday to Tuesday)
Long weekend 3
Valmiki Jayanti (Monday, October 26)
October 24–26
Where to go
Jodhpur (335 km from Delhi): Blue lanes and desert sunsets
Panchgani (250 km from Mumbai): Table Land views
Varkala: Cliffside cafés and post-monsoon beaches
November 2026: One Strategic Leave, Four Days Off
Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Tuesday, November 24.
Long weekend window
November 21–24 (with one leave)
Where to go
Amritsar (450 km from Delhi, best with flight/train): Food trails and history
Igatpuri (120 km from Mumbai): Meditation retreats
December 2026: Ending the Year on a Festive Note
Christmas falls on Friday, December 25.
Long weekend window
December 25–27
Where to go
Udaipur: Winter weddings and lake views
Fort Kochi: Christmas lights, art cafés and sea breeze
Travel Trivia That Helps You Plan Better
Booking trains 120 days in advance often secures better berths for long weekends
October consistently records India’s highest domestic travel demand
Destinations under 300–400 km are ideal for road trips without travel fatigue
2026 is quietly generous with long weekends—especially in January, October and December. Plan early, travel shorter distances, and you can squeeze in more holidays without exhausting your leave quota. The calendar is ready. All that’s left is picking your bags and blocking the dates.
