CBSE Holidays 2026-27: Complete Academic Calendar & Summer Vacations
Planning ahead is crucial for students, parents, and schools. To help you structure your academic year, we've compiled the complete list of CBSE Holidays for the 2026-27 academic session, based on standard academic patterns.
Whether you are looking to book a family vacation during the summer break or just tracking upcoming long weekends, this guide covers everything you need to know about the school calendar for 2026.
Major Summer & Winter Vacations 2026
The most anticipated holidays for any student are the long seasonal breaks. For CBSE-affiliated schools, the vacations typically follow these schedules:
### 1. Summer Vacations 2026 For schools in plain regions, the summer break is the longest holiday of the year to protect students from the extreme heat. * Expected Dates: Mid-May 2026 to early July 2026 (Approx. 40 to 50 days). * *Note: Schools in hilly areas often have shorter summer breaks but longer winter vacations.*
### 2. Autumn Break (Dussehra Holidays) Usually aligning with the Navratri and Dussehra festivals, this provides a short relief before the half-yearly exams. * Expected Dates: October 2026 (Approx. 4 to 6 days).
### 3. Winter Vacations 2026-27 For schools in plain areas, winter breaks usually fall around the end of the year and the start of the new year. * Expected Dates: Late December 2026 to mid-January 2027 (Approx. 10 to 15 days).
Complete List of Gazetted Holidays for CBSE Schools in 2026
Apart from the long vacations, CBSE schools observe various national and festival holidays throughout the academic year. While specific dates might vary slightly by state, here is the general list of Gazetted Holidays for 2026:
### National Holidays (Mandatory for all schools)
| Holiday / Event | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | August 15, 2026 | Saturday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | October 2, 2026 | Friday |
| Republic Day | January 26, 2027 | Tuesday |
### Major Festival Holidays (April 2026 - December 2026)
| Festival / Event | Exact Date in 2026 | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | April 3 | Friday |
| Buddha Purnima | May 1 | Friday |
| Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | May 27 *(Subject to moon)* | Wednesday |
| Muharram | June 26 | Friday |
| Raksha Bandhan | August 28 | Friday |
| Janmashtami | September 4 | Friday |
| Dussehra | October 20 | Tuesday |
| Diwali (Deepavali) | November 8 | Sunday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | November 24 | Tuesday |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday |
### Holidays in Early 2027 (Jan - Mar) As the 2026-27 academic session concludes in March 2027, here are the festival holidays for the final term:
| Festival / Event | Exact Date in 2027 | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | March 6 | Saturday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | March 10 *(Subject to moon)* | Wednesday |
| Holi | March 22 | Monday |
| Good Friday | March 26 | Friday |
*Disclaimer: Regional and restricted holidays (like Pongal, Bihu, Onam, Makar Sankranti, or local state foundation days) will depend on your specific state government directives.*
How Schools Can Manage the 2026-27 Calendar Efficiently
Managing the complex academic calendar—balancing teaching days, exams, and holidays—can be stressful for school administrators.
With e-Saraswati's School Management Software, schools can easily digitize their entire academic calendar. * Automated Notifications: Send instant WhatsApp or SMS alerts to parents about upcoming holidays or unexpected weather-related closures. * Smart Attendance: Keep track of teaching days to ensure compliance with CBSE's mandatory working hours. * Exam Scheduling: Plan exams around the holidays effortlessly.
If you are a school owner or administrator looking to simplify your operations for the 2026-27 session, [book a free demo of e-Saraswati today](/).