Diwali, the eagerly awaited festival of lights, is just around the corner, bringing with it an extended break for students across various states. This year, children will enjoy a delightful five-day holiday, perfectly timed to encompass all the significant festivities: Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, the main Diwali celebration, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. This extended closure ensures that students have plenty of time to fully immerse themselves in the celebrations and partake in cherished family traditions.
Parents should proactively confirm the precise holiday schedule with their child’s school, as dates can sometimes vary based on individual state policies and school administration decisions. Below is a comprehensive overview of the upcoming festive school holidays to help families plan their festive season.
Five-day school holidays for Diwali festival
The Diwali break is set for five consecutive days, commencing with Dhanteras and concluding on Bhai Dooj. While Dhanteras, observed on October 18th, isn’t typically an official government holiday, many schools that usually close on the second Saturday will extend their break. The official holidays will begin on Sunday, October 19th, and continue without interruption through to Wednesday, October 23rd.
Students can anticipate their schools remaining closed for Narak Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali, on October 19th. The highlight, the main Diwali festival, falls on Tuesday, October 21st, and is a widely observed public holiday. The celebrations and school closures will continue with Govardhan Puja on October 22nd, followed by Bhai Dooj on October 23rd.
Detailed school holiday schedule
For your convenience, here is a detailed table outlining the important events and corresponding dates for the Diwali holidays:
| S. No. | Event | Day | Date |
| 1 | Dhanteras | Saturday | October 18 |
| 2 | Narak Chaturdashi | Sunday | October 19 |
| 3 | Chhoti Diwali | Monday | October 20 |
| 4 | Diwali | Tuesday | October 21 |
| 5 | Govardhan Puja | Wednesday | October 22 |
| 6 | Bhai Dooj | Thursday | October 23 |
October festival season brings multiple breaks
October has truly been a month of festivities for students this year, with several previous holidays already enjoyed. The month kicked off with Navami and Dussehra, followed by breaks in certain states for Valmiki Jayanti. The upcoming Diwali holidays represent the longest continuous break on the calendar, offering students a much-deserved respite.
During this joyous period, schools and some colleges will shut their doors, enabling students to fully engage in the celebrations, savor traditional sweets, and create lasting memories with their families. This five-day holiday is a welcome pause before the academic routine resumes.
To avoid any last-minute confusion, parents are encouraged to maintain communication with their respective schools regarding the exact holiday dates. Regional and institutional variations mean that while most students can look forward to a week of festive cheer and relaxation, specific details should always be verified locally.