Unlock More Holidays in 2026- Here's Everything You Need To Know

Everyone is ready to ring in the new year. From goal setting to creating a vision board, one thing that is common for everyone is travelling. While the idea of going on outings is exciting, planning leave often takes away your peace of mind. We understand the struggle and that’s why we are here to tell you how you can unlock more holidays! With a little strategic planning and a lot of fun, you can take your public holidays and long weekends to create small mini-cations throughout the year.

Buckle up - it’s time to finally make those long weekend plans happen. 

Use Weekends & Public Holidays Together

The easiest and foolproof way to unlock long breaks is by combining your weekends with national or festival days that fall near Fridays or Mondays. This way you get to enjoy long weekends with minimal leave days. Let’s unlock a little more adventure every month.

January 

• Turn New Year into a long weekend from January 1st to 4th, with new year and weekend coming. Take a leave on January 2nd, Friday which gives you four long days to plan a getaway.

  
  

• Another window is from January 23rd to 26th to enjoy a four day Republic Day off. You only need to take a leave on January 23rd.

February - March

• By taking one day off on Friday, February 27th give yourself an extra long weekend off until March 4th. Kickstart the celebrations for the festival of colors a little early while enjoying a longer break. 

April

• As Good Friday falls on April 3rd, it automatically creates a three day long weekend to plan for a nice and quick trip to local places.

May

• This time Labour Day is on a Friday 1st, which means you get a three day weekend. From chilling at home to taking a short road trip - you can squeeze some time off from work.

June

• Get another long weekend towards the end of June with Muharram falling on June 26th followed by Sat & Sun.

August

• Give yourself a well-deserved retreat with another 3 day long weekend thanks to Raksha Bandhan falling on Friday 28th, perfect for a short escape.

September

• It’s time to unwind & relax as this month brings two perfect short breaks to pause and recharge. September 4th to 6th and September 12th to 14th thanks to Janmashtami & Ganesh Chaturthi.

October

• Start the month with a three day long time off with Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd. Get another four day long break with Dussehra coming on October 20th and taking a leave on Monday 19th.

November 

• Enjoy the slow winters from the comfort of your couch or sipping hot tea in the mountains. Turn Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24th into a four-day long break i.e. November 21st to 24th by taking Monday, the 23rd off.

December

• The month may lack holidays but it isn’t short on festive cheer. Take a much deserved long time off starting December 25th until January 3rd 2027. Unwind, reflect and set goals - spend time with loved ones and gear up for another year round the sun.

Things to Remember Before Planning

• Plan the paid leaves depending on observance, different regions may observe the festival on different days.

• Make sure to communicate your leaves in advance so that your work stays unaffected while you are away.

• If your workplace is flexible, you can extend your holidays by taking additional days off before or after.

• Take this as a chance to give yourself much needed small breaks in between so that you can feel rejuvenated.

• Lastly, don’t feel the pressure of heading out every time. You can enjoy the long weekends at home too - doing things which help you unwind.

With a few smart choices, you can turn isolated leave days into extended breaks—giving yourself more time to travel, rest, and recharge throughout the year. Start by marking your official holidays, then identify the ones that naturally align with weekends. Book your leave early to avoid last-minute stress and rising travel costs.

With careful planning, 2026 can be a year of memorable journeys, restful pauses, and well-spent time off—all without exhausting your leave balance. Plan smart, relax often, and make the most of the year ahead.