As the festive season peaks and New Year celebrations approach, multiple states across India have announced dry days between December 25 and December 31, 2025, restricting the sale and service of alcohol.
These curbs stem from a mix of election-related regulations, national observances, and local excise laws aimed at maintaining public order.
The most widely observed dry day during this period is December 25, Christmas Day. The occasion is marked as a dry day in several parts of the country, including major metropolitan regions.
On this day, liquor shops, bars, pubs, and restaurants are prohibited from selling or serving alcohol. Authorities have reiterated that the restriction applies across retail and hospitality outlets, irrespective of private celebrations or hotel operations.
In Mumbai, December 25 will be observed strictly as a dry day. The city's excise department has directed all licensed establishments to suspend alcohol sales for the entire day. This is in addition to other dry days earlier in the month, but Christmas remains the only restriction for Mumbai during the December 25-31 window.
Kerala will also observe December 25 as a dry day. While most of the state's election-related dry days fall earlier in the month, Christmas remains the key restriction during the final week of December. Officials have confirmed that liquor sales will resume normally after Christmas, subject to local excise timings.
In Delhi, there are no fresh dry days notified between December 25 and December 31. The capital's election-related liquor shutdown concluded earlier in the month following the MCD by-elections.
As of now, liquor shops and licensed establishments in Delhi are permitted to operate as per standard excise rules during the year-end period, including New Year's Eve, unless any last-minute notifications are issued.
Notably, December 31 (New Year's Eve) is not a dry day in most states, making it one of the busiest nights for liquor sales across India.
However, authorities have warned that special restrictions on timings, crowd control, and drunk-driving enforcement may be imposed locally. In previous years, several states have allowed extended operating hours for licensed outlets while simultaneously increasing policing and excise surveillance.
Travelers and partygoers are advised to check district-level notifications, as dry day enforcement can vary within states. Violations of dry day rules attract penalties under excise laws, including fines and suspension of licenses.
With Christmas being the only major dry day during the December 25-31 window in most regions, celebrants can expect relatively fewer restrictions-but planning remains essential.