5 Places to Kickstart Your New Year: Make the Best of a Long Weekend in January 2026!

Already started with a list of New Year’s resolutions? If you are a travel enthusiast and are planning to explore a new destination in the first month of next year, get ready to tick mark a destination or two on a long weekend in January 2026. Since the month is considered the best time to explore various tourist destinations across the country, we have a list of places you can explore on a long weekend and make the best of your trip by staying at affordable accommodations.

So, let’s learn about the holidays, festivals and places to visit on a long weekend in January 2026

List of holidays in January 2025

1. Pongal – 14th January 2026 – Wednesday
2. Makar Sakranti – 14th January 2026 – Wednesday
3. Vasant Panchami – 23rd January 2026 – Friday
4. Republic Day – 26th January 2026 – Monday

You can club your leaves, weekends with these holidays to get a break from your daily routine and get on a journey to rejuvenate yourself for the coming year ahead.

Festivals in January 2026

1. New Year (1st January 2026)

The New Year is the best time to tick off travel plans. Various New Year destinations in India host special events for New Year’s Eve and the 1st of January. Start exploring them and plan your getaway for celebrations with your loved ones

There are a few places, like Goa and Pondicherry, where you can witness the New Year vibe for the whole month. 

2. Pongal (14th January 2026)

A Hindu festival celebrated by Tamils across the country Pongal, is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya. It is a multi-day festival celebrated over three or four days with Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. 

People prepare a traditional dish by boiling rice with milk and jaggery, decorate their house with rice-powder-based kolam artwork, offer prayers at home, visit temples and exchange gifts with their loved ones.

3. Makar Sankranti (14th January 2026) 

Also known as Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti in India is a mid-winter harvest festival and is observed to mark a new beginning. This auspicious occasion is a celebration of the Sun’s journey from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere. Makar means Capricorn, and Sankranti means “transition.” On this day, the sun transitions from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn.

People celebrate the festival with kite flying, preparing sesame and jaggery based sweets and taking a holy dip in the sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.

4. Vasant Panchami (23rd January 2026)

A Hindu festival observed to mark the preparations for the beginning of Spring, Vasant Panchami, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The deity is known as the Goddess of knowledge, art, music, science and technology and is worshipped on the occasion with various rituals and customs across the country.

People celebrate the occasion by wearing yellow-coloured clothes, preparing yellow rice and other food items and performing Saraswati Puja.

5. Republic Day (26th January 2026)

Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26th January to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, which happened on 26th January 1950. The day is celebrated across the country with parades, political speeches, cultural events and ceremonies.

The main celebrations of Republic Day are organised in New Delhi at the Kartavya Path, a ceremonial boulevard running from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through India Gate. The President of India unfurls the national flag, marking the beginning of the events celebrating the rich heritage of the country.

5 Places to Visit on A Long Weekend in January 2026

1. Goa

Who doesn’t wish to spend a New Year at Goa’s pristine beaches? If you, too, want to kickstart your year with partying all night, Goa is the perfect destination to visit on a long weekend in January 2026. The Christmas and New Year celebrations in Goa continue throughout the month, during which you can enjoy themed parties at nightclubs and beach restaurants. While visiting the city in January, you can also witness the Goan Festival, the Feast of Three Kings, the Goa Tribal Festival, the Goa Tattoo Festival and the Kite Festival.

If you are travelling with friends and family to the city, then some of the family-friendly hotels in Goa have swimming pools where you can enjoy and relax with your loved ones.

Key Attractions: Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Chapora Fort, Anjuna Beach and Panjim.

2. Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Also known as Puducherry, the place is another popular tourist destination that you can visit on a long weekend in January 2026. The city is also known as the “French Riviera of the East” after the advent of French colonisation in India. You can witness the influence of French culture on the architecture, food and traditions of the city. Apart from colourful French buildings, the city is also famous for its vibrant beaches, churches and meditation centres.

You can easily find a budget-friendly hotel in Pondicherry with modern amenities for a comfortable stay.

Key Attractions: Rock Beach, Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach, The Sacred Heart Basilica and Sir Aurobindo Ashram.

3. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum, located on the southern tip of Kerala, is the capital city of the state. The city is known as the “Evergreen City of India” for its lush green landscapes and parks. It is also a cultural centre of the state and attracts a large number of travellers throughout the year. You can witness the rich heritage of the state through its architecture and cultural festivals. The Flower Festival and Vasantholsavam Festival in January make it a perfect place to travel on a long weekend in January.

Book your stay at hotels in Thiruvananthapuram offering private cab facilities to let you explore tourist attractions within and outside the city.

Key Attractions: Poovar Beach, Shankumugham Beach, Azhimala Beach, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thrivanathapural Meach, Kerala Science and Technology Museum and Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.

4. Delhi 

If you wish to witness the incredible Republic Day celebrations, Delhi is the perfect place to visit on a long weekend in January 2026. The celebrations let you witness the rich cultural heritage of various states in one place. While visiting the city, you can also enjoy local delicacies, shopping and sightseeing as the city houses some of the famous heritage monuments and shopping and food streets.

Stay at affordable hotels in Delhi equipped with modern amenities, located near the key landmarks to explore the city at your own pace. 

Key Attractions: India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Sarojni Nagar Market, Connaught Palace and Chandni Chowk.

5. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

One of the sacred places to visit in Uttar Pradesh, Vrindavan, is believed to be the town where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Visiting the place on a long weekend in January 2026 is the perfect time to explore the heritage temples, perform Gowardhan Parikrama and enjoy local street food as the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities.

Immerse in the spirituality of the place by staying at hotels in Vrindavan near famous temples like Banke Bihari Temple, Radha Raman Temple, Prem Mandir and ISKCON Temple.

Key Attractions: Banke Bihari Temple, Kashi Ghat, Nidhivan, Radha Raman Temple, Prem Mandir and ISKCON Temple. 

So, where are you heading for a long weekend in January 2026? Whichever place you choose for comfortable and affordable accommodations, Treebo Club is your go-to travel partner. Book your stay at family-friendly, couple-friendly or business-friendly hotels that are strategically located near the key landmarks and transit stations to offer you a memorable stay and a hassle-free travel experience. 

Start planning your itinerary now to make the best of coming weekends in January 2026 to kickstart your New Year with an exciting trip.