Holi 2026: Schools Closed March 4; Confusion Over March 3 Holiday

New Delhi, February 23, 2026 — As the festival of colors approaches, a wave of confusion has swept across schools and educational institutions regarding the official holiday schedule for Holi 2026. While the primary celebration of Rangwali Holi is confirmed for Wednesday, March 4, parents and students are seeking clarity on whether schools will remain closed on Tuesday, March 3.

The Holi 2026 Calendar: Key Dates

According to the Hindu lunar calendar and recent government notifications, the festival period is structured as follows:

• March 1 (Sunday): Regular Weekly Holiday.
• March 2 (Monday): Holika Dahan / Chhoti Holi (Confirmed Holiday in several states like Uttar Pradesh).
• March 3 (Tuesday): Intermediate Day (Currently a Working Day in many academic calendars).
• March 4 (Wednesday): Rangwali Holi (Main Festival – Gazetted Holiday).

The “March 3” Dilemma: Why the Confusion?

The confusion regarding March 3 stems from a rare celestial event: a Total Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) occurring on that day.

Traditionally, Holika Dahan is performed on the night before Rangwali Holi. However, due to the lunar eclipse and the associated Sutak Kaal (an inauspicious period before an eclipse), many religious scholars and Panchangs have suggested that rituals be performed either on the night of March 2 or after the eclipse ends on March 3.

Current School Status for March 3:

In states like Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the official academic calendar currently lists March 3 as a working day. This has led to a “sandwich” situation where schools are closed on Monday (March 2) and Wednesday (March 4), but theoretically open on Tuesday (March 3).

Demands for a Four-Day Long Weekend

Teachers’ associations and parent groups have begun petitioning state education departments to declare March 3 a holiday. Their arguments include:

• Logistical Challenges: Many teachers and students travel to their hometowns for Holi. Returning for a single working day on Tuesday is impractical.
• Low Attendance: Historically, attendance remains extremely thin on days falling between two major holidays.
• Ritual Timing: Since the lunar eclipse ends late on March 3, many families will be occupied with post-eclipse purification rituals and late-night Holi preparations.

Note: As of today, no nationwide order has been issued to close schools on March 3. However, local district magistrates (DMs) often exercise their power to declare holidays based on regional sentiment.

What to Expect

While March 4 is a non-negotiable holiday for all government and private schools, an official announcement regarding March 3 is expected by the end of this week. Educational experts suggest that most private schools may independently declare a holiday on March 3 to provide a continuous four-day break from March 1 to March 4.