India, Nov. 20 -- A long-weekend calendar for 2026 posted on X is already circulating among early planners. The list breaks down clusters of holidays throughout the year, showing where an added leave day can stretch a short break into long vacations. It also highlights how early booking can help keep flight and hotel costs manageable.

The first long stretch comes from January 1-4. New Year's Day falls on Thursday; taking Friday off turns it into a four-day weekend.

Makar Sankranti will be observed on January 14.

Later in the month, January 23-26 creates another block: Vasant Panchami on the 23rd, a two-day weekend, and Republic Day on Monday.

Mahashivratri falls on February 15, giving a mid-month pause.

At the end of the month, Febru...