Party goers must take note as the full list of dry days in India in 2026 has now been released. A dry day is a day when the government bans the sale of alcohol at liquor shops, bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants.
These restrictions are imposed to respect national holidays, religious festivals and cultural occasions, and they can directly impact daily plans in major metropolitans like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and other parts of India.
What Is a Dry Day and Why Is It Observed?
A dry day is a day when alcohol sales are banned by the government to mark occasions of national importance or religious significance. On these days, liquor shops remain shut and bars or restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol. Some dry days are observed across India, while others are state-specific, applying only in places like Maharashtra, Delhi NCR or Karnataka.Knowing the dry day list 2026 helps people avoid last-minute inconvenience and allows businesses to plan operations smoothly.
Dry Days in India 2026: Month-wise Complete List
Below is the complete list of dry days in India for 2026 as per GQ magazine , covering national holidays and major religious festivals. These dates are expected to apply in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and other Indian cities, though state-specific rules may apply.
Dry Days in January 2026
January 14 (Wednesday): Makar Sankranti
January 26 (Monday): Republic Day
Dry Days in February 2026
February 15 (Sunday): Maha Shivratri
February 19 (Thursday): Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. This closure will be observed in Maharashtra only.
February 23 (Monday): Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
Dry Days in March 2026
March 4 (Wednesday): Holi
March 20 (Friday): Eid-ul-Fitr
March 23 (Monday): Shaheed Diwas which will be observed only in Maharashtra only
March 26 (Friday): Ram Navami
Dry Days in April 2026
April 3 (Friday): Good Friday
April 10 (Friday): Mahavir Jayanti
April 14 (Tuesday): Ambedkar Jayanti
Dry Days in May 2026
May 1 (Friday): Buddha Purnima / Maharashtra Day (state-specific)
May 27 (Wednesday): Bakrid (Eid-al-Adha)
Dry Days in July 2026
July 25 (Saturday) : Ashadi Ekadashi
July 29 (Wednesday): Guru Purnima
Dry Days in August 2026
August 15 (Saturday): Independence Day
August 25 (Tuesday): Eid-e-Milad
Dry Days in September 2026
September 4 (Friday): Janmashtami
September 14 (Monday): Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharashtra and Karnataka)
September 25 (Friday): Anant Chaturdashi (Maharashtra only)
Dry Days in October 2026
October 2 (Friday): Gandhi Jayanti
October 7 (Wednesday): Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
October 20 (Tuesday): Dussehra
Dry Days in November 2026
November 5 (Thursday): Kartiki Ekadashi
November 8 (Sunday): Diwali (Delhi NCR only)
November 24 (Tuesday): Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas / Guru Nanak Jayanti
Dry Days in December 2026
December 25 (Friday): Christmas
Madhulika Pandey Goodreturnssource: goodreturns.in