12 Long Weekends in 2025: Best Indian Travel Destinations for Your Getaway

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The year has just begun and you know what that means? A whole new set of long weekends to plan for. Yes, it’s time to dust off those travel bags, charge your cameras, and prepare for some exciting mini-vacations. Whether a seasoned traveler or a weekend warrior, this blog is your guide to maximizing those precious 12 long weekends 2025 edition. 2025 is expected to witness a renaissance in travel and cultural events, with people exploring more after years of cautious travel. Events like India’s Maha Kumbh Mela will draw global attention.

List of Long Weekends in India in 2025

Month	Occasion and Vacation Days	Top Destinations to Explore
January 2025	Pongal/Makar Sankranti (11–14: 4 days, Leave: 13 Jan)	Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala
March 2025	Holi (13–16: 4 days, Leave: None)	Shangarh, Sangla, Pushkar, Udaipur, Hampi
March 2025	Eid-Ul-Fitr (29–31: 3 days, Leave: None)	Lucknow, Hyderabad, Delhi
April 2025	Mahavir Jayanti and Vaisakhi (10–13: 4 days, Leave: 11 Apr)	Ooty, Coorg, Dalhousie, Munnar
April 2025	Good Friday and Easter (18–20: 3 days, Leave: None)	Lonavala, Pondicherry, South Goa
May 2025	Buddha Purnima (10–12: 3 days, Leave: None)	Chikmagalur, Mysore, Ooty
August 2025	Independence Day and Janmashtami (15–17: 3 days, Leave: None)	Udaipur, Jim Corbett, Kumarakom, Alleppey
September 2025	Eid-e-Milad and Onam (5–7: 3 days, Leave: None)	Kerala (Onam), Mumbai, Srinagar (Eid)
October 2025	Maha Navami, Dussehra, and Gandhi Jayanti (1–5: 5 days, Leave: 3 Oct)	Ladakh, Meghalaya
October 2025	Diwali (18–20: 3 days, Leave: None)	Jodhpur, Varanasi, Amritsar
October 2025	Bhai Dooj (23–26: 4 days, Leave: 24 Oct)	Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore
December 2025	Christmas (25–28: 4 days, Leave: 26 Dec)	Hartola, Ranikhet, Naukuchiatal

We, at Explurger, will be celebrating the year like it’s a gift to us, especially with Mahakumbh giving us an amazing opportunity to connect with travelers like you! Read here about our Creators’ Lounge at Mahakumbh grounds for more info.

And now, let’s talk about the…

12 Upcoming Long Weekends 2025 Edition: Where to Go? What to do?

January 2025, the first of Long Weekends: Pongal/Makar Sankranti (January 11–14)

Vacation Days: 4 days (Leave: January 13)

Where to Go:

• Madurai: Celebrate Pongal with traditional feasts, colorful kolams, and the thrilling bull-taming festival of Jallikattu. The Meenakshi Amman Temple is a must-visit for its stunning architecture.
• Hampi: Explore the awe-inspiring ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, or hike up Matanga Hill for breathtaking sunrise views.
• Alleppey: Cruise through tranquil backwaters on a houseboat and savor authentic Kerala cuisine. If you feel like exploring Kerala further, here are some of the best tourist attractions in Kerala you might like!

Alternatively, if you want some adventure to kickstart your year with, check out our guide to the Zanskar Chadar Trek.

February 2025 Long Weekends: Maha Shivratri

Falling on Wednesday, 26th Feb, we have Maha Shivratri, a Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva. Not technically a long weekend, but quite significant for spiritual travellers, as this Maha Shivratri will coincide with the Final Shahi Snan and Closing Ceremony of the Maha  Kumbh Mela. Wanna visit the madness? Here is everything you need to know about MahaKumbh

Also: Check out the Explurger Exclusive Creators’ Lounge, the temple of creativity!

March 2025 Long Weekends: Holi AND Eid-Ul-Fitr

March is the month of some festive madness. With Holi and Eid occupying the beginning and end of the month, it’s bound to make you wanna pack your bags and leave! Holi arrives with its barrage of colors and before you know it, the next long weekend arrives in the form of Eid-Ul-Fitr. If you can’t go out on Holi, the upcoming long weekends’  here to save the day (or month)!

Holi (March 13–16)

Vacation Days: 4 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Shangarh and Sangla: These Himachal gems offer serene retreats perfect for spring. Plus Sangla has a special Holi celebration that is unique to the town.
• Pushkar and Udaipur: Experience colorful Holi celebrations in Rajasthan’s iconic towns. Here’s a list of some offbeat places that Explurger Explorers found out for you!
• Hampi: A UNESCO World Heritage site, perfect for history lovers, great for the March Long weekends.

Eid-Ul-Fitr (March 29–31)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Lucknow: Relish the city’s Nawabi cuisine and explore its historic monuments.
• Hyderabad: Celebrate Eid with delicious biryani and visit the iconic Charminar.
• Delhi: Explore Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and indulge in festive delights.

April 2025 Long Weekends: Mahavir Jayanti, Vaisakhi, Good Friday and Easter

Now this is what we call long holidays!

April is another month of fun with not just one but TWO long weekends falling in the first three weeks. It’s a perfect reminder that as the heat settles in, you need some time off!

Mahavir Jayanti and Vaisakhi (April 10-13)

Vacation Days: 4 days (Leave: April 11)

Where to Go:

• Ooty: Enjoy the lush Nilgiris, tea plantations, and scenic train rides. Check out Explurger’s itinerary for exploring Ooty.
• Coorg: Relax amidst coffee plantations and waterfalls.
• Dalhousie: A charming hill station offering colonial architecture and stunning views.
• Munnar: Famous for rolling tea estates and serene landscapes. Check out Explurger’s recommendations on the top 10 places in Munnar.

Good Friday and Easter (April 18–20)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Lonavala: Perfect for a quick hill retreat from Mumbai or Pune.
• Pondicherry: Enjoy the French colonial charm and tranquil beaches.
• South Goa: Relax in serene, less-crowded beaches and explore Portuguese heritage. Here are some cafes you might wanna try out!

May 2025 Long Weekends: Buddha Purnima (May 10–12)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Chikmagalur: Escape to this coffee haven surrounded by lush greenery.
• Mysore: Visit the grand Mysore Palace and enjoy the city’s cultural heritage.
• Ooty: A great summer destination with cool weather and natural beauty.

August 2025 Long Weekends: Independence Day and Janmashtami (August 15–17)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Udaipur: Known as the City of Lakes, it offers royal architecture and stunning vistas.
• Jim Corbett: Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts looking for tiger safaris.
• Kumarakom and Alleppey: Experience Kerala’s serene backwaters and houseboats.

September 2025 Long Weekends: Eid-e-Milad and Onam (September 5–7)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Kerala: Celebrate Onam with traditional feasts, boat races, and cultural programs.
• Mumbai: Enjoy Eid celebrations and explore the city’s vibrant life. Fulfill some bucket list wishes, too, while you’re there!
• Srinagar: Witness breathtaking landscapes and immerse yourself in Kashmiri culture. You can also head to Pampore, the saffron capital of India.

October 2025 Long Weekends: Maha Navami, Dussehra, Gandhi Jayanti, Diwali & Bhai Dooj

If you think life’s a bit boring, October is here to make some magic happen. The month of festivities, the month of long holidays brings in some BIG guns as it releases three whole long weekends, over 13 days in total! If you want to do some big treks or some international trips- this is the perfect time to take the entire month as a travel month! Check out some great adventurers on Explurger who have taken their travelling to the next level with their dedication to exploring the world!

Maha Navami, Dussehra, and Gandhi Jayanti (October 1–5)

Vacation Days: 5 days (Leave: October 3)

Where to Go:

• Ladakh: Marvel at the stark beauty of its landscapes, monasteries, and high-altitude lakes.
• Meghalaya: Explore the living root bridges, waterfalls, and caves in this northeastern paradise.

Diwali (October 18–20)

Vacation Days: 3 days (No leave required)

Where to Go:

• Jodhpur: The Blue City lights up beautifully during Diwali.
• Varanasi: Witness spectacular Ganga Aarti and the illuminated ghats.
• Amritsar: Celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple for a divine experience.

Also, here are some lesser-explored places that you might wanna visit for Diwali

Bhai Dooj (October 23–26)

Vacation Days: 4 days (Leave: October 24)

Where to Go:

• Bandhavgarh: Spot tigers in this famous wildlife sanctuary.
• Ranthambore: A haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photography lovers.

December 2025, the last Long Weekend: Christmas (December 25–28)

Vacation Days: 4 days (Leave: December 26)

Where to Go:

• Hartola: A hidden gem in Uttarakhand, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
• Ranikhet: Enjoy panoramic Himalayan views and a serene ambiance.
• Naukuchiatal: Perfect for a tranquil retreat by the lake.

With this guide, you can make the most of the 12 long weekends in 2025 and create unforgettable travel memories. Start planning now and get ready to explore the diverse beauty of India!