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New Delhi: Holiday calendar already open on your phone? You are not alone. January, February, and March 2026 are packed with clever long weekend opportunities across India, thanks to the New Year, Republic Day, Holi, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti. With a bit of “leave hacking”, you can turn mid-week holidays into three, four, or even five-day escapes without burning your entire leave balance. Think quick road trips, cosy homestays, and budget-friendly domestic getaways that still feel indulgent.​

If you love planning trips more than actually packing, this month-wise guide is your new best friend. It maps out upcoming holidays, shows exactly where to add one or two leave days, and suggests realistic getaways near major Indian cities. Expect practical tips, smart hacks, and destination ideas that match real-world budgets, not just Instagram dreams.

Holidays of January 2026

January kicks off 2026 with winter holidays perfect for snowy hills or sunny beaches. Plan now for budget flights and cosy stays.​

Key holidays

• January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day

• January 26 (Monday): Republic Day

Leave hacks

• Take January 1 (Friday) off for January 1 4-day break.​

• Republic Day auto-makes 24–26 January a three-day weekend.

How to celebrate

• Snowy hill adventures: Ride toy trains through pine forests to snow points, trek gentle slopes with valley views, join bonfire storytelling nights under stars, sip masala chai at roadside stalls while spotting rare Himalayan birds.​

• Beach & River Thrills: Raft through gentle rapids, followed by riverside campfires. Watch the sunset from beach shacks with live music, hike to hidden waterfalls for swims, and attend free evening aarti ceremonies with floating lamps.​

• Heritage culture dives: Explore pink palaces by elephant-back trails, watch Republic Day parades with folk dances, wander old bazaars tasting street sweets, and join kite-flying contests from rooftops.

Holidays of February 2026

February offers mild weather for romance and nature without big national holidays. Create breaks around Valentine’s for easy escapes.​

Key holidays

• No major national holidays, but Valentine’s weekend shines.​

Leave hacks

• Take 13 February (Friday) off for the 13–16 February three-day romantic stretch.​

• Pair any weekend with one casual leave for birding or hikes.

How to celebrate

• Romantic lake & hill escapes: Paddle sunset boat rides on shimmering lakes, stroll tea gardens hand-in-hand, picnic by misty waterfalls, dine under starlit skies with candlelight and live folk singers.​

• Wildlife & heritage walks: Cycle through bird sanctuaries spotting migratory flocks, explore fort ruins with audio stories, picnic by lakes with fishing, hike coffee plantation trails tasting fresh brews.​

• City culture vibes: Wander colonial architecture markets, join street food crawls with local chefs, attend evening classical dance shows, and relax in heritage café conversations.

Holidays of March 2026

March bursts with Holi colours, temple vibes, and spring treks. Cluster holidays for mega five-day breaks easily.​

Key holidays

• 4 March (Wednesday): Holi (state-wise)

• 26 March (Thursday): Ram Navami

• 31 March (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti

Leave hacks

• Holi: Add weekend leaves if near for the three-day colour fest.​

• Ram Navami: Take 27 March (Friday) off for four days.​

• Mahavir: Take 30 March (Monday) off for 27–31 March five-day epic.

How to celebrate

• Holi colour festivals: Throw organic colours at temple courtyards, join playful water fights with folk music, feast on sweets at community feasts, dance through flower-strewn streets till dusk.​

• Temple & spiritual trails: Queue for sacred darshan at golden shrines, boat along holy rivers at sunrise, climb ancient monoliths for panoramic views, meditate in riverside ashrams with chanting.​

• Spring heritage loops: Explore forgotten palace ruins with guides, wander village craft markets, trek blooming hill paths with wildflowers, picnic by stepwells, and share local legends.

Planning holidays early in the year means cheaper tickets, better stays, and less work guilt when you log off. Lock in your January, February, and March escapes now, and let the rest of 2026 revolve around your travel calendar, not the other way round.