Akash Singh
In 2023, you can fit in 16 mini-vacations if you plan correctly. In the new year, long weekends abound, with five to six-day weekends in March, April, and August. Scroll down for the complete list of long weekends in 2023.
Long weekends in January 2023
- Saturday, 31 December
- Sunday, 1 January – New Year’s Day
- Friday, 13 January
- Saturday, 14 January – Lohri
- Sunday, 15 January – Pongal
- Thursday, 26 January – Republic Day
- Saturday, 28 January
- Sunday, 29 January
Consider Visit Jaisalmer for a desert safari; Goa for New Year’s Eve on a boat; Ooty for Pongal, which includes temple visits and a sadhya; and Kaziranga National Park to witness the one-horned rhino.
Long weekends in February 2023
- Friday, 17 February
- Saturday, 18 February – Mahashivratri
- Sunday, 19 February
Consider: Visit Bhootnath Temple in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Matangeshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh, or Nilkanth Mahadev Temple in Uttarakhand to take part in some of India’s greatest Mahashivratri celebrations; and experience winter in Sikkim. February is also a great time to go snorkeling at Lakshwadeep.
Long weekends in March 2023
- Wednesday, 8 March – Holi
- Thursday, 9 March
- Saturday, 11 March
- Sunday, 12 March
Consider: Celebrate Holi in Mathura, go on a nature safari in Ranthambore, pound grapes for wine in Nashik, or visit Arunachal Pradesh and climb Gorichen Peak, the third highest in Northeast India.
Long weekends in April 2023
- Tuesday, 4 April – Mahavir Jayanti
- Wednesday, 5 April
- Friday, 7 April – Good Friday
- Saturday, 8 April
- Sunday, 9 April
Consider: Stay at a boat house on Dal Lake. Experience the tulip festival in Kashmir, river rafting in Rishikesh, the coolness in Mussoorie, or the last days of winter in Manali.
Long weekends in May 2023
- Friday, 5 May- Buddha Purnima
- Saturday, 6 May
- Sunday, 7 May
Consider: In Dandeli, Karnataka, go kayaking, canoeing, and bird watching; swim in the beautiful blue waters and discover Buddhist archaeological sites in Andrott on Kadmat Island.
Long weekends in June/ July 2023
- Thursday, 29 June – Bakri Eid
- Friday, 30 June – Take the day off
- Saturday, 1 July
- Sunday, 2 July
Consider: Visit the Athirappilly waterfalls in Kerala or the Jog falls in Karnataka; take a Ro-Ro to Alibaug; attend the Hemis Festival in Ladakh; and experience the Goa monsoons.
Long weekends in August 2023
- Saturday, 12 August
- Sunday, 13 August
- Monday, 14 August
- Tuesday, 15 August – Independence Day
- Wednesday, 16 August – Parsi New Year (restricted)
- Tuesday, 29 August – Onam (restricted)
- Wednesday, 30 August – Raksha Bandhan (restricted)
- Thursday, 31 August
Consider: Camping beside Shirota Lake at Lonavala, soaking in the majesty of Dhrudhiya Waterfalls in Mount Abu, and exploring Wayanad’s picturesque coffee, rubber, and spice fields are all worthwhile activities.
Long weekends in September 2023
- Thursday, 7 September – Janmashtami
- Friday, 8 September
- Friday, 8 September
- Saturday, 9 September
- Sunday, 10 September
- Thursday, 28 September – Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad
- Monday, 2 October – Gandhi Jayanti
Consider: Visit Vrindavan for Janmasthami, swim in crystal blue waters and sink your toes into the white sand beaches of Andaman, and view wildlife in Kabini, one of the few national parks that is open all year.
Long weekends in October 2023
- Saturday, 21 October
- Sunday, 22 October
- Monday, 23 October – Maha Navmi (restricted)
- Tuesday, 24 October – Dussehra
Consider: Visit Kolkata’s Durga puja pandals, Mysore’s Dussehra, Agra’s Taj Mahal, or go on a safari in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna National Park.
Long weekends in November 2023
- Friday, 10 November
- Saturday, 11 November
- Sunday, 12 November – Diwali
- Saturday, 25 November
- Sunday, 26 November
- Monday, 27 Guru Nanak Jayanti
Consider: See Gir, India’s only home for Asiatic lions, or go 55 kilometers to Diu Island, where you can visit Diu Museum or relax in the fresh breeze at Ghogla beach; bypass Goa’s crowded beaches and head to Gokarna instead.
Long weekends in December 2023
- Saturday, 23 December
- Sunday, 24 December
- Monday, 25 December
Consider: Diu and Daman have Portuguese-style Christmas celebrations, Kerala has houseboat Christmases, Puducherry has French Christmases, and Spiti has seasonal snowman-building.
