School Holidays November 2026: State-Wise List of Festivals and Dates

School Holidays November 2026: Students from across the country will have festive holidays during November. They include Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti. Different schools in different states will have different closure dates.

Diwali will be on Sunday, the 8th November. Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated on Tuesday, the 24th November. Tamil Nadu has declared an extra holiday on the 9th November for educational institutions. In Maharashtra, Diwali will be a holiday from 2nd to 14th November.

Always check what the latest circular says at your school.

List of Major Festivals

• November 1, Sunday: Haryana Day and Kannada Rajyotsava. Both are important regional occasions, although November 1 is already a Sunday.
• November 6, Friday: Dhanteras, an important occasion during the Diwali festivities. School closures depend on local calendars.
• November 8, Sunday: Diwali, one of India’s biggest festivals.
• November 9, Monday: Additional post-Diwali holiday declared for educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.
• November 10, Tuesday: Bali Pratipada and regional Diwali observances, depending on the state calendar.
• November 11, Wednesday: Bhai Dooj, celebrated in several parts of India.
• November 14, Saturday: Children’s Day, generally marked by school activities and celebrations rather than a nationwide holiday.
• November 15, Sunday: Chhath Puja, particularly significant in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
• November 16, Monday: Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day, subject to the applicable Uttar Pradesh holiday calendar.
• November 24, Tuesday: Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, observed in several states.

This list is for you to help plan around festivals. Not all of these will be closed in all states. Always check what the relevant government notification and school calendar say.

Choti Diwali 2026 Shubh Muhurat: Abhyang Snan Time and Naraka Chaturdashi Tithi

State Wise Holiday List

Maharashtra

Maharashtra students will have Diwali holidays from the 2nd to 14th November. They should return to school on the 16th November.

Check with your school for the exact return date.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has declared Monday the 9th November 2026 as a holiday for schools, colleges and other educational institutions as Diwali falls on Sunday the 8th November.

As there is an extra holiday, Saturday the 28th November will be a working day for educational institutions. Check your timetable.

Haryana

Haryana Day was on Sunday the 1st November. Haryana’s 2026 holiday calendar shows they will have Vishwakarma Puja / Deepavali Observance on the 9th November and Guru Nanak Jayanti on the 24th November.

Chhath Puja will be on Sunday, the 15th November. Bhai Dooj on the 11th November will not necessarily mean they will be closed. Check your school’s circular.

Uttar Pradesh

Schools may have Diwali-related festivals, Chhath Puja and Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day as holidays depending on government and district.

Bihar & Jharkhand

Chhath Puja is one of the biggest festivals in Bihar and Jharkhand. In 2026, the main Chhath Puja will be around 14- 15 November. The evening and morning rituals will take place around this time.

There may be school closures for this festival. Particularly in areas where it is widely celebrated. As the 15th November is a Sunday, it will depend on the actual holiday schedule.

Punjab & Delhi

Remember Guru Nanak Jayanti on Tuesday the 24th November. Some schools may be closed.

Other Diwali related holidays will depend on the relevant state/UT and individual school.

Will Schools Be Closed on Diwali (8th November)?

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday the 8th November 2026. Many schools will have a weekly off on Sundays so you may not get an extra day off.

However, schools may have a longer Diwali holiday. Tamil Nadu has declared the 9th November as a holiday. In Maharashtra they have a longer holiday.

Is There a School Holiday on 14th November (Children’s Day)?

Children’s Day is celebrated in India on the 14th November. It is to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Schools often have cultural events, competitions and activities.

However, it is not a national school holiday. Your school may still be open.