Himachal Pradesh School Holiday in October 2026: Check School Closure Dates and Latest Updates
Check the Himachal Pradesh school holiday list for October 2026. Get full details on the Dussehra vacation, Gandhi Jayanti holiday, and SA-1 exam dates for schools and colleges. Check out the complete details here.
Schools across Himachal Pradesh are set to observe an extended break in October 2026, with various holidays scheduled throughout the month. As the festival season approaches, students, parents, and educators in Himachal Pradesh can look forward for a holiday schedule this October 2026. The Himachal Pradesh Department of Higher Education and HP Board of School Education, HPBOSE have notified the school and college holiday schedule for October 2026. Due to Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Kullu Dussehra, and Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh will observe multiple holidays and special district-level breaks in October.
Himachal Pradesh School & College Holiday Schedule (October 2026)
Check out the table below to check Himachal Pradesh School Holiday Schedule in October 2026
| Dates | Occasion / Reason | Applicable To | Status |
| October 2, 2026 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | All Schools & Colleges across HP | Official Gazetted Holiday |
| October 18, 2026 | Maha Ashtami / Regular Weekend | All Institutions | Regular Weekend / Festival |
| October 18 – October 23, 2026 | Kullu Dussehra Extended Break | Schools in Kullu & Mandi Districts | 6-Day District Vacation |
| October 20, 2026 | Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) | All Schools & Colleges across HP | Official State Holiday |
| October 25, 2026 | Weekly Weekend Break | All Institutions | Regular Weekend |
| October 26, 2026 | Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti | All Schools & Colleges across HP | Official State Holiday |
Gandhi Jayanti Holiday on October 2nd
Students will have a holiday at the start of October. October 2, 2026, is a Friday and marks Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday across India. Because it falls on a Friday, schools and colleges with a Saturday-Sunday weekend will provide a three-day break. However, Saturday schedules may differ depending on the institution.
Dussehra Holidays from October 18 to 23
Educational institutions in districts other than Kullu and Mandi will observe a single gazetted holiday on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, for Vijaya Dashami. Schools located in Kullu and Mandi districts receive a 6-day extended vacation from October 18 to October 23, 2026, allowing local communities and students to participate in the traditional week-long Kullu Dussehra festivities.
Important Academic and Regional Updates
- State-Wide Dussehra Holiday: All government and private schools across Himachal Pradesh will observe a state holiday on October 20, 2026 (Tuesday) for Dussehra / Vijaya Dashami.
- Special Kullu Dussehra Vacation: Schools located in Kullu and Mandi districts will observe an extended 6-day vacation from October 18 to October 23, 2026 to allow participation in the world-famous International Kullu Dussehra festival.
- Long Weekends: The holiday on October 2 (Friday) gives a 3-day long weekend for schools operating on a 5-day week. Additionally, October 26 (Monday) creates another long weekend following Sunday, October 25.
- Diwali Vacation Clarification: Diwali (Deepavali) falls on November 8, 2026. Consequently, the official state-wide Diwali festival break for HP schools will take place in November 2026.
Anisha Mishra is journalist with over 3 years of experience in covering the Indian education sector. She has worked extensively in the K12 domain, with focus on the state board as well as central board examinations, policy structure of seconday and higher secondary education as well as the entrance examinations like JEE, NEET, CLAT, etc. Her extensive experience in the domain has helped her provide students with concise accurate information in all aspectes of school life and education. Her key interest lies in decoding the changes in the curriculum, NEP implementation and changing education ecosystem in the country. Besides working, she enjoys traveling, exploring new places and cultures, and painting.
