School Holidays in November 2026: Diwali, Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Jayanti, complete list hereThe month of November 2026 comes in the middle of India’s festive season, which saw Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations across the country, including Mysuru Dasara, Telangana’s Bathukamma and Tamil Nadu’s Golu festivities. With the onset of November, students can look forward to another set of holidays, including Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Guru Nanak Jayanti.Several of these festivals fall on weekdays, giving students in some states additional breaks from regular classes.November 2026 School Holidays: Full ListHere is a list of festivals which may see holidays in schools during November 2026-DateDayFestival / OccasionStates / RegionsNovember 1SundayKannada Rajyotsava / Haryana DayKarnataka, HaryanaNovember 6FridayDhanterasObserved across India; not a universal school holidayNovember 8SundayDiwali / Deepavali / Naraka ChaturdashiAcross IndiaNovember 9MondayGovardhan Puja / AnnakutUttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and other statesNovember 11WednesdayBhai Dooj / Bhaiya DoojSeveral northern and western statesNovember 14SaturdayChildren’s DaySchool celebrations across India; not a general holidayNovember 15SundayChhath PujaBihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of DelhiNovember 16MondayVeerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom DayUttar PradeshNovember 24TuesdayGuru Nanak Jayanti / Gurpurab / Kartik PurnimaPunjab, Haryana, Delhi and several other statesNote that the dates of the festivals are based on the 2026 calendar and government holiday lists. Not every occasion in the table will result in a school closure in every state.What are the festivals and holidays in November 2026?Kannada Rajyotsava (November 1)Karnataka Rajyotsava marks the formation of the state of Karnataka on November 1, 1956. The occasion is celebrated with cultural programmes, flag hoisting and events highlighting the state’s language and heritage. Haryana also observes its state formation day on November 1. However, both occasions fall on a Sunday in 2026.Dhanteras (November 6)Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivities. It is traditionally associated with the worship of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Families often purchase gold, silver and household items on this day. While it is widely celebrated, it is not necessarily a school holiday across the country.Diwali (November 8)Story continues below this adAlso known as Deepavali, Diwali is one of India’s major festivals and is celebrated with the lighting of diyas, decorations, prayers and family gatherings. In 2026, Diwali falls on a Sunday. Schools in several states may have already announced an extended festive vacation around the occasion.Govardhan Puja (November 9)Celebrated a day after Diwali, Govardhan Puja is associated with Lord Krishna and the lifting of Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rainfall. The festival is also known as Annakut, with devotees offering food to the deity. Some states observe a school holiday on this occasion.Bhai Dooj (November 11)Bhai Dooj marks the bond between brothers and sisters and is celebrated towards the end of the Diwali festivities. The festival is also known as Bhaiya Dooj in northern India and Bhau Beej in Maharashtra.Children’s Day (November 14)India celebrates Children’s Day every year on November 14 to mark the birth anniversary of the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Schools generally organise cultural programmes, competitions and special activities for students. However, it is not a nationwide school holiday.Chhath Puja (November 15)Story continues below this adChhath Puja is an important festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. It is particularly popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi. Devotees observe a fast and offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun. Schools in several states and regions may remain closed for the festival, although November 15 falls on a Sunday in 2026.Veerangana Uda Devi Martyrdom Day (November 16)Uttar Pradesh observes the martyrdom day of Uda Devi, who participated in the 1857 revolt against British rule. The occasion is marked by commemorative events in the state and may result in a regional holiday for educational institutions.Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 24): Also known as Gurpurab, the occasion marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru. It is observed through prayers, processions, kirtans and community services at gurudwaras. Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on a Tuesday in 2026 and is a gazetted holiday in several states. The date also coincides with Kartik Purnima, an important day in the Hindu calendar.