Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti School Holidays 2026: Check State-wise School Festive Breaks and Closures

In January, India becomes a kaleidoscope of cultural festivities, and this is when the winter harvest festivals of Lohri, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti come to fruition. These festivals, although known by other names and practices, have one commonality in that they signal the end of the winter solstice, the time of plentiful harvest, and the Sun God's move towards the North, known as 'Uttarayana'. While the North enjoys the light and warmth of theBonfires, and the South enjoys the preparations of fragrant rice, this is a time of plenty and a harbinger of favorable climatic conditions. 

Because of the nation-wide importance of such festivals, schools in India also observe special holidays to enable students and teachers to join the celebrations. This article will offer a complete calendar regarding the closure of educational institutions during the festivals of Lohri, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti in the year 2026 in the most prominent states of India. Guardians and students are advised to see the regional variations to make sure they are familiar with the exact dates that educational institutions shall be closed.

When Is Lohri?

Lohri is a boisterous winter harvest festival that is observed mainly in North India, especially in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu. Traditionally, it was celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, which means on a fixed date, always on 13th January every year. It is to state that from this day, the winter solstice also begins to end and the sun enters Makara zodiac sign, which means the beginning of longer and warmer days.

What is Pongal?

Pongal is a four-day-long major harvest festival celebrated predominantly by the people in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, including other Southern regions like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, along with Makar Sankranti. It is a festival basically devoted to the sun god and signifies the end of the winter crop. The term 'Pongal' means "to boil over", and it refers to the traditional preparation of a sweet dish comprising rice and milk in a new pot-a sign of prosperity and abundance.

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is one of the prominent Hindu festivals, which is observed in India, and it represents the entry of 'Surya' or 'Sun God' into ‘Makara’ or ‘Capricorn’. This festival is observed every year on January 14th in India and on January 15th in 2026. This day represents the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of harvest and longer, warmer days of 'uttarayana’. This festival is observed differently in different regions: ‘Pongal’ in South India, ‘Maghi’ in Punjab, and ‘Uttarayan’ in Gujarat, but common practices include ‘sacred dips’, 'kite flying', and ‘til katori’ or ‘sweets of jaggery and sesame seeds’.

Regional School Holiday Status for Lohri, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti

Winter Holidays in Delhi and NCR

Schools in Delhi and NCR typically have a winter break in early January. Due to expected severe cold, the break might extend to cover Lohri, with most government schools possibly closed until January 15th to observe both Lohri and Makar Sankranti.

Lohri Celebrations and Breaks in Punjab and Haryana

In Punjab and Haryana, Lohri is a major festival, leading to a mandated public holiday for all educational institutions and offices. Students in 2026 will have a dedicated break to participate in Lohri celebrations like bonfires and kite-flying.

School Closures for Pongal and Makar Sankranti in South India

In South India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal (especially in Tamil Nadu). States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka usually have multi-day school closures for the four-day Pongal harvest festival. The specific holiday dates will be determined by the respective state education departments' 2026 academic calendars.

Regional School Holiday Status

Key Regional Holiday Information

• North India (Lohri & Cold Wave):

• In Punjab and Haryana, Lohri (January 13) is a complete public holiday for all schools, colleges, and offices.

• In Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram, schools often remain closed until January 15 due to a combination of winter break extensions and harvest festivals.

• South India (Pongal Celebrations):

• Tamil Nadu observes a significant break; while Bhogi (January 14) is not always a government holiday, major closures occur for Pongal (January 15), Thiruvalluvar Day (January 16), and Uzhavar Thirunal (January 17).

• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate a multi-day festival including Bhogi (January 13) and Kanuma Panduga (January 16).

• Western & Eastern India:

• In Gujarat, the skies are filled with kites for Uttarayan, which is a primary state holiday on January 15, 2026.

• Assam schools observe holidays for Magh Bihu on January 14 and 15, marking the end of the harvesting season.

It is strongly recommended that all parents and students consult the official circulars and announcements released by their specific regional education departments or school administrations. This is the most reliable way to confirm which regions have mandated official holidays and which specific schools might be observing optional or localized closures during the Lohri, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti period.