India festival calendars offer extended holiday opportunities for 2026

Upcoming festival calendars for 2026 offer significant opportunities for extended holidays in India. For the Dussehra celebrations, travelers can create a four-day long weekend by utilizing casual leave or work-from-home arrangements. Recommended destinations include Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, known for its week-long international Dussehra festival and traditional cultural processions, and Mysuru in Karnataka, famous for the grand Mysore Dasara celebrations and the illumination of the Amba Vilas Palace.

Additionally, the period spanning Diwali and Chhath Puja provides a strategic window for extended breaks. By carefully applying only three days of leave, individuals can secure a continuous holiday period of nine to eleven days. The festive schedule includes Dhanteras on November 6, Diwali on November 8, and the four-day Chhath Puja festival beginning on November 13 and concluding on November 16.