October marks the beginning of the festive season across many parts of India. The month is filled with vibrant celebrations, including Durga Puja, Dussehra, Gandhi Jayanti, and several important regional festivals. With many schools and offices announcing holidays during this period, October also becomes one of the most popular months for family vacations, weekend getaways, and festive reunions.

If you're planning to make the most of the holidays in October 2026, this guide has everything you need in one place. Explore the complete list of regional and national holidays in October, discover upcoming long weekends, and find the best places to visit during the festive season to plan your trip with ease.

Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra are the two gazetted government holidays in October 2026. In addition to these, there are several restricted and regional public holidays in October. You can check out the complete list of holidays in October 2026 below:

There are several bank holidays in October 2026 due to Navratri, Durga Puja, and other regional celebrations. Here’s the complete list of bank holidays in October 2026:

There are several regional holidays in October 2026, including:

The festive month of October has several important celebrations, including Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti. Here’s a list of all the important festivals and events in October:

• Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on 2nd October to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Schools, government offices, and organisations across the country hold prayer meetings and cultural programmes to remember his life and teachings.

• Durga Puja

Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in eastern India, especially in West Bengal. The 10-day festival starts with Mahalaya and ends with Vijaya Dashami. The main celebrations take place over four days - Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijaya Dashami. 

The festival ends on Vijaya Dashami with the immersion of Goddess Durga idols in the Ganga. This marks Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.

• Dussehra

Dussehra celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Across India, people watch the burning of Ravana effigies, processions, fairs, and cultural programmes.

• Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is celebrated by married Hindu women in many parts of North India. They observe a day of fasting and pray for the well-being and long life of their husbands. They finally break the fast at night after sighting the moon. 

• Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, who is believed to have written the Ramayana. It is observed with prayers, religious gatherings, and community events in several states like Punjab and Haryana.

October offers several long weekend opportunities across India. In addition to nationwide holidays, some states enjoy longer breaks due to regional festivals like Durga Puja. 

If you are planning to use weekend government holidays in October 2026 to plan a trip, you can consider these three long weekend options:

It’s a great idea to use the government and school holidays in October 2026 to plan a short trip. The monsoon showers are almost gone by October, and the weather is pleasant. 

If you are planning a trip soon, here are some of the best places to visit in October:

• Kolkata

October is the best time to visit Kolkata if you want to experience Durga Puja. You can visit beautifully decorated pandals across the city, watch cultural performances, enjoy street food, and see the grand idol immersion processions on Dashami.

• Mysuru

Visiting Mysuru in October is a good idea because of the famous Dasara celebrations. You can see the beautifully lit Mysore Palace, watch the Jumbo Savari procession, and enjoy cultural performances held across the city. 

• Munnar

The weather in Munnar is perfect in October. You can enjoy the lush hills after the monsoon, walk through tea gardens, visit the Eravikulam National Park, and enjoy the scenic viewpoints around the town in peace. 

• Rishikesh

The weather in Rishikesh becomes pleasant in October, making it a good time for outdoor activities. You can go river rafting, camp by the Ganges, visit Triveni Ghat, and spend time exploring the cafés around Laxman Jhula. 

• Hampi

October is a comfortable time to explore Hampi without the summer heat. You can visit Virupaksha Temple, the stone chariot at Vittala Temple, Matanga Hill, and the ancient ruins spread across this UNESCO World Heritage Site.