School holidays in November 2026: Diwali, Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Jayanti and state-wise breaks

As the festive season has started, students will get a string of breaks this month, with Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti all on the calendar. How many days off a student will get depends on the state and the school, since closures follow government notifications and individual school calendars.

Parents should check their school's calendar before making plans, as festival closures are not the same everywhere.

School holidays in November 2026: Key dates

• November 1 (Sunday): Kannada Rajyotsava / Haryana Day
• November 6 (Friday): Dhanteras
• November 8 (Sunday): Diwali
• November 9 (Monday): Govardhan Puja
• November 11 (Wednesday): Bhai Dooj
• November 14 (Saturday): Children’s Day
• November 15 (Sunday): Chhath Puja
• November 16 (Monday): Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day
• November 24 (Tuesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti / Kartik Purnima

Students should note that these are the main festival and observance dates. Not all of them are school holidays in every state.

State-wise school holidays in November 2026

The holiday list differs from state to state. Some governments have announced long festive breaks, while others will stick to their regular calendars and close schools only on select festival days.

Maharashtra
Schools are expected to close for Diwali from November 2 to 14, a stretch of 13 days. They are likely to reopen on November 16, since November 15 is a Sunday. The schedule is based on the reported state school calendar, so students should confirm the reopening date with their schools.

Uttar Pradesh
Schools may close around Diwali and other regional festivals on these dates:

• November 8: Diwali
• November 9: Govardhan Puja
• November 11: Bhai Dooj
• November 15: Chhath Puja
• November 16: Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day
• November 24: Guru Nanak Jayanti

The final number of holidays may vary with district-level and school-specific orders.

Bihar and Jharkhand
Both states are likely to see festive breaks, especially around Chhath Puja, which is widely observed there:

• November 8: Diwali
• November 9: Govardhan Puja
• November 11: Bhai Dooj
• November 15-16: Chhath Puja

Schools may announce holidays as per their regional calendars.

Delhi
Schools may be closed on:

• November 8: Diwali
• November 9: Govardhan Puja
• November 15: Chhath Puja
• November 24: Guru Nanak Jayanti

Parents should wait for the latest circular from their school.

Tamil Nadu
The state government has declared Monday, November 9, a holiday for schools, colleges and other educational institutions, as Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8. To make up for it, Saturday, November 28, will be a working day for educational institutions and government offices across the state.

Rajasthan
Schools may have a longer Diwali break in the first half of November:

• November 8: Diwali
• November 9: Govardhan Puja
• November 11: Bhai Dooj

Some school calendars may add more days. The exact reopening date should be confirmed with the school.

Himachal Pradesh
Students may get a five-day festive break from November 6 to 10, which covers Diwali. The final schedule will depend on the school calendars.

Students and parents are advised to keep a check with their respective schools regarding the holiday.