May marks the beginning of the peak summer season in most parts of India. With temperatures rising quickly, many people plan to escape to hill stations or places where temperatures are lower. 

To help you plan your holidays in May, this guide covers all the regional, bank, and government holidays in May 2026. It also highlights long-weekend opportunities and the best places to visit, making it easier for you to plan your holidays.

There are two gazetted public holidays in India in May 2026. The rest are state-specific public holidays celebrated only in certain regions of India. Here’s a complete list of all the public holidays in May 2026:

 

Banks across India will be closed on four additional days in May 2026, in addition to Sunday. Here’s a complete list of bank holidays in May 2026:

 

Public holidays in May also vary regionally in India. Different regions of the country celebrate festivals during this month to honour their local traditions and historical events, and these days are often observed as office and school holidays in May. 

Here is a list of the regional holidays in May 2026 in India and what they celebrate:

 

Some holidays in May 2026 mark important festivals. Here’s a list of the most significant festivals celebrated in May 2026:

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakh. On this day, devotees visit monasteries, offer prayers, and participate in peaceful processions to reflect on his teachings.

A large fair is also held at Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Buddha Purnima is a gazetted holiday in India, which means banks, offices, and schools remain closed on this day. 

Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)

Bakrid is an important Islamic festival. The festival is based on the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to God, where he was willing to sacrifice his own son as an act of faith. However, at the last moment, God stopped him and gave him a ram to sacrifice instead. 

On this day, Muslims across India offer prayers at mosques, perform the ritual sacrifice (Qurbani), and share food with family and the poor. The date of this holiday in May 2026 depends on the moon sighting, but once announced, it is observed as a gazetted holiday across India.

If you’ve been waiting for a long weekend to plan a trip, May 2026 offers only one as follows:

1st to 3rd May 2026: May 1st is a public holiday across India on account of Buddha Purnima, and in some states, it is also observed as May Day. Since it falls on a Friday and is followed by the weekend, this creates a three-day break, making it the perfect time for a short getaway.

If you’re planning to make the most of the government holidays in May, it’s a good idea to plan a trip. Despite the summer heat in most parts of the country, there are some beautiful destinations to explore during the holidays in May 2026. 

 

Here are some of the best places you may visit in May:

• Manali

In May, Manali has a cool climate and offers stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas. It’s also a great time for adventure activities like paragliding and river rafting. By late May, the famous Rohtang Pass also opens, giving you panoramic views of the mountains.

• Ooty

Also known as the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty is a perfect spot if you wish to spend holidays in May away from the summer heat. The climate is cool, making it ideal for visiting the Botanical Gardens, boating on Ooty Lake, and exploring the scenic tea estates.

• Shillong

Surrounded by lush greenery and mist-covered hills, Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, offers a refreshing escape from the harsh summer heat. The pleasant weather in May makes it an ideal time for activities such as trekking and exploring the region's famous living root bridges. 

• Coorg

Coorg is a quiet getaway in Karnataka, surrounded by mist-covered hills and coffee plantations. You can enjoy scenic walks to viewpoints, trekking trails, and even explore Abbey and Iruppu waterfalls during your holiday trip in May. 

With the start of school holidays in May, the month gets busy quickly. So if you’re planning to travel in May, make sure to book your tickets in advance through redBus.

When travelling in May, do keep these important things in mind for a comfortable journey.

• May is one of the hottest months in India, so you need to choose your destination carefully. Hill stations are preferred over other places. 
• Please remember that not all monasteries and temples allow smartphones or cameras inside the premises. 
• Despite being summer, May might see heavy rains, especially in parts of Kerala in recent years. So please check the weather conditions before your trip.