Diwali Holidays 2026: Bank, School and Office Closures State by State

Diwali is one of India’s biggest festivals, but in 2026, its timing brings a small planning challenge. The festival falls on Sunday, 8 November, which means the main celebration coincides with the regular weekly holiday for many banks, schools and offices.

However, the holiday period does not look the same across the country. Some states and banking regions have additional holidays on Monday, 9 November, while others observe closures on Tuesday or Wednesday. Dhanteras, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj also fall during this period.

If you are planning a family trip, need to visit a bank branch or want to know when schools and offices may reopen, here is a practical guide to Diwali holidays in India from 6 to 11 November 2026.

Diwali Week 2026: Important Dates

These dates help explain why the holiday period may extend beyond Sunday in some states. However, a festival date does not automatically mean that every bank, school or private office will be closed.

Bank Holidays During Diwali 2026: State-Wise Details

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes bank holidays according to regional offices and banking locations. Therefore, the applicable holiday can differ between cities within the same state.

Based on the November 2026 regional holiday calendar, the main Diwali-related bank closures are:

The occasions listed for these dates include Diwali or Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, Vishwakarma Day, Bali Pratipada, Vikram Samvat New Year and Bhai Dooj-related observances.

What does this mean state-wise?

• Uttar Pradesh: Kanpur and Lucknow have scheduled closures on 9 and 11 November.

• Rajasthan: Jaipur has a scheduled closure on 9 November.

• Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal has a scheduled closure on 9 November.

• Gujarat: Ahmedabad has a scheduled closure on 10 November.

• Maharashtra: Belapur, Mumbai and Nagpur have a scheduled closure on 10 November.

• Karnataka: Bengaluru has a scheduled closure on 10 November.

• Uttarakhand: Dehradun has a scheduled closure on 10 November.

• West Bengal: Kolkata has a scheduled closure on 11 November.

• Himachal Pradesh: Shimla has a scheduled closure on 11 November.

• Tripura, Sikkim and Manipur: Agartala, Gangtok and Imphal have closures on the dates listed above.

These are regional banking locations, not a guarantee that every branch across the entire state will follow an identical schedule. Check your bank's branch notice before visiting.

Will Banks Be Open on Dhanteras, 6 November?

Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026. It is an important shopping day, but it is not a universal bank holiday across India. Unless a separate state or local notification applies, bank branches may operate normally.

The same caution applies to Saturday, 7 November. Banks generally close on the second and fourth Saturdays, not every Saturday. Since 7 November is the first Saturday of the month, it is generally a working day unless a local holiday applies.

Digital banking services such as UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and ATMs are generally available during branch holidays. However, services that require branch staff or physical document processing may have to wait until the next working day.

Diwali School Holidays 2026: What Students and Parents Should Know

For schools, there is no single nationwide Diwali vacation schedule. State education departments, district authorities and individual schools decide their calendars.

In many northern states, students may get holidays around Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Schools in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab may have additional local closures, while schools in other regions may follow a shorter break or a different festival calendar.

The important dates for parents to check are:

• 6 November: Dhanteras, which may be a school holiday in some institutions but is not a universal closure.

• 8 November: Diwali falls on Sunday.

• 9–11 November: Schools may announce additional holidays for Govardhan Puja, regional Diwali observances or Bhai Dooj.

Do not assume that every school will remain closed for all six days. Check the school diary, official circular, parent app or district education department announcement before making travel plans.

Office Holidays: Will Employees Get a Long Weekend?

Government offices and private companies may follow different holiday calendars. State government offices generally observe holidays notified by their respective governments. Central government offices follow the applicable central holiday instructions, while private companies decide their own festival leave policies.

Since Diwali falls on Sunday, employees whose regular weekly off is Sunday may not receive a replacement holiday automatically. Some workplaces may offer Monday, 9 November, as an additional holiday, while others may remain open.

Before booking travel, check your organisation's November holiday list and confirm whether Saturday, 7 November, is a working day.

Stock Market Holidays During Diwali 2026

Investors should pay special attention to the stock market calendar because the exchange schedule is different from ordinary office holidays.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has listed:

• 8 November, Sunday: Diwali Laxmi Pujan is a trading holiday, but a special Muhurat Trading session will be conducted. The exchange will announce its timings separately.

• 10 November, Tuesday: Diwali-Balipratipada is a regular trading holiday for the equity segment.

This means investors should not assume that the market will follow normal Sunday or weekday trading hours during the festival. Check the latest NSE and BSE circulars for confirmed session timings and any updates.

Long-Weekend Planner: 6–11 November 2026

The Diwali week can offer an opportunity for a short break, but the number of consecutive days off depends on your workplace and location.

If you want to travel, confirm your leave before booking tickets. Train and flight demand can rise around major festivals, so early planning can help avoid last-minute stress.

How to Plan Ahead for Diwali Week

A little preparation can save time during the festive rush. Complete bank visits, cheque-related work and document submissions before your local branch holiday. Parents should confirm school reopening dates rather than relying on general holiday lists.

Employees should check their company's leave policy, especially if they are planning to combine annual leave with the weekend. Investors should also review the exchange calendar before scheduling trades around Diwali.

Final Word

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, but the holiday schedule continues to vary across India. Banking locations have additional closures on 9, 10 and 11 November, while schools and offices follow state, district and employer-specific calendars.

The safest approach is to check the latest RBI holiday matrix, your bank branch notice, school circular and office calendar before making plans. That way, you can enjoy the festival without an unexpected trip to a closed branch or workplace.