Diwali Holidays in Himachal 2026: Dates, Weather & Packages
Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. That puts the festival week in Himachal’s clearest, quietest stretch of the year: the monsoon is long gone, the peaks are sharp, and the Christmas snow rush is still six weeks away. Here is how the holiday dates work, what the weather is really like, and which of our Himachal trips fit the week.
Current conditions — updated 5 October 2026
- Weather this week: as per the IMD Meteorological Centre Shimla bulletin of 4 October 2026 (no. 277), the state is dry on 4–5 October, with light to moderate rain and snow at a few places from 6 to 9 October (snow on the high hills) and thunderstorms with gusty winds at isolated places in Kullu, Kangra, Mandi and Shimla districts on 6 October. Temperatures are forecast to fall by 2–5°C after that. This spell is a month before Diwali and says nothing yet about Diwali week itself.
- High passes: we have not found any closure order for Rohtang, the Atal Tunnel or Kunzum La as of 5 October. Snow is forecast on the high hills this week, so for Rohtang and the Manali–Kaza road, check before travel. Our Rohtang permit and road status page carries the latest position.
- Before Diwali: Kullu Dussehra runs from 21 to 27 October 2026 and fills Kullu town and the Chandigarh–Manali highway — see our Kullu Dussehra 2026 guide.
- Not issued yet: Diwali-week firecracker timings and any festival traffic orders for Shimla and Manali. Check before travel; we pass them on to every guest booked that week.
The dates
Diwali 2026 Dates and How to Plan Your Leave
Diwali 2026 is a late one. Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November, nearly three weeks later than in 2025, and because it falls on a Sunday most offices do not get an extra weekday off for it. The trip you can take depends on how many leave days you are willing to use.
| Date | Day | Occasion | Holiday status (central government list) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 November | Friday | Dhanteras | Working day |
| 7 November | Saturday | Choti Diwali | Weekend |
| 8 November | Sunday | Diwali / Lakshmi Puja | Gazetted holiday, but on a Sunday |
| 9 November | Monday | Govardhan Puja (several almanacs keep it on Tuesday 10 November) | Restricted holiday |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj | Restricted holiday |
Dates as per the central government’s holiday list for 2026 and standard Hindu almanacs. State governments and private employers set their own holiday lists, so check yours.
The honest picture
Himachal in Diwali Week: Weather, Snow and Crowds
Early and mid November is settled, dry and bright in most years. In Manali the first ten days of November usually bring days of 16–19°C and nights of 4–7°C, and the second week turns sharply colder in the mornings and evenings (our Manali in November guide has the week-by-week picture from IMD climate data). Shimla is a little milder at night, Dharamshala milder still. Everywhere, evenings call for proper woollens.
Who it suits
Who a Diwali Trip to Himachal Is For
Families who want the children’s school break in the mountains without monsoon risk or Christmas prices. Couples after quiet hotels and clear views; November is a good honeymoon month in Manali. Groups of friends and colleagues on a long weekend from Delhi, Chandigarh or Punjab. It is not the right week if you want guaranteed snow, or if your group cannot cope with nights close to freezing in the higher places.
One local touch worth knowing: some villages in Kullu, Shimla and Sirmaur districts keep a separate Budhi Diwali about a month after the main festival, with night-long folk singing and torch processions. If you are in the hills at Diwali itself, expect the usual diyas and lights in the towns.
Trips that fit
Himachal Packages for Diwali 2026
Five of our Himachal trips that work in Diwali week. Each is a private trip with your own car and driver, and each can be dated to your leave. The prices are the “from” rates published on each package page: per person, twin sharing, deluxe hotels. The rate card on every one of these pages puts 1 November to 19 December in its off-season band.
From ₹14,499 per personThe classic first Himachal trip. The published rate assumes four travellers sharing the car.
Shimla Manali Tour Package from Chandigarh6 days / 5 nights · starts Chandigarh
From ₹12,499 per personSame circuit, shorter drives. Good for Punjab, Haryana and anyone flying into Chandigarh.
Kullu Manali Honeymoon Tour Package5 days / 4 nights · starts Chandigarh
From ₹12,999 per personFor couples: Manali, Solang, Kullu and Manikaran at an unhurried pace.
Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour Package from Delhi5 days / 4 nights · starts Delhi
From ₹16,499 per personMcLeodganj, Dharamshala and Dalhousie: milder nights than Manali and far less Diwali traffic.
Incredible Himachal Tour Package from Delhi9 days / 8 nights · starts Delhi
From ₹18,999 per personFor the long Sat 7 – Sun 15 break: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie in one trip.
Sample rates, not live availability. Hotel space in Shimla and Manali is tightest on the festival weekend itself, so send your dates early and we will confirm what is genuinely open and quote it exactly. Nothing is held until you approve the quote.
Sample plan
A 6-Day After-Diwali Itinerary: Shimla and Manali
Our suggested shape for families who want Lakshmi Puja at home: leave Delhi on Monday morning, be back by Saturday night.
Delhi → Shimla
Early start to beat the post-festival traffic out of Delhi. About 350 km; evening walk on the Ridge and Mall Road.
Kufri and Shimla
Kufri in the morning, Jakhu Temple and the Viceregal Lodge in the afternoon. Christ Church at dusk.
Shimla → Manali
A full travel day through Mandi and the Kullu valley, around 245 km. Stop at the Pandoh dam viewpoint and Kullu.
Solang and the Atal Tunnel
Solang Valley, then through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul, the best chance of early snow. Weather permitting; Rohtang only if the permit and the pass allow. For snow points, see our snow activities in Manali page.
Manali sightseeing
Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashisht hot springs, Old Manali and Naggar Castle. Evening on Mall Road.
Manali → Delhi
Leave early for the long drive home, or take the overnight Volvo on Friday night instead and gain a day.
Packing
What to Pack for Himachal in November
FAQs
Diwali in Himachal: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Dhanteras is on Friday 6 November, Choti Diwali on Saturday 7 November, Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November in the central government list (some almanacs keep it on Tuesday 10 November) and Bhai Dooj on Wednesday 11 November.
Is Diwali a good time to visit Himachal?
Yes, for clear weather, sharp mountain views and calm weekdays. Early November is dry and bright in most years. It is not the time for guaranteed snow, and the festival weekend itself brings heavy traffic towards Shimla and Manali, so travel on the weekdays around it if you can.
Will there be snow in Manali during Diwali 2026?
Not in Manali town in a normal year. Snow is possible at higher points such as Rohtang and Sissu beyond the Atal Tunnel after a cold spell, but it cannot be promised. For reliable snow, plan for late December to February.
Is Rohtang Pass open in Diwali week?
Usually, in the first half of November, with a permit booked online up to six days ahead, but it can close for the season after heavy snow and timing restrictions have been imposed in past Novembers. The Atal Tunnel side stays open in normal weather. Check our road status page in the week before you travel.
Which is better for Diwali: Shimla, Manali or Dharamshala?
Shimla for a short two- or three-night break from Delhi or Chandigarh. Manali if you have five nights or more and want the higher mountains. Dharamshala and Dalhousie if you want milder nights and less festival traffic. With a week, combine Shimla and Manali.
How much does a Diwali trip to Himachal cost?
Our Himachal packages that fit Diwali week start from ₹12,499 per person for six days from Chandigarh and ₹14,499 per person for six days from Delhi, twin sharing in deluxe hotels, as published on each package page. The final price depends on your dates, group size and hotel category; send them and we will quote exactly.
Are firecrackers allowed in Shimla and Manali at Diwali?
District administrations in Himachal issue their own firecracker timing and type orders before Diwali, and hotels follow them. The 2026 orders had not been issued as of 5 October. Check before travel; we pass the order on to every guest booked that week.
Can you plan the trip for us?
Yes. Suzu Travels is a Himachal-based travel company with our own team in the state since 2019. We arrange the hotels, a private car and driver, and the day plan, and we change it if the weather does. Send your dates on WhatsApp to +91 70874 88961 and you get a day-by-day plan and a quote.
Planning Himachal this Diwali?
Send your dates, starting city and the number of travellers. You get a day-by-day plan, hotel options and a clear price, with nothing held until you approve.
Explore more
Rohtang and Road StatusUpdated every week
All Himachal Tour PackagesEvery trip we run in the state
Sources: Government of India, Department of Personnel & Training, holidays to be observed in central government offices during 2026; IMD Meteorological Centre Shimla, bulletin no. 277 of 4 October 2026; The Tribune, 5 November 2024 (Rohtang timing restriction) and 20 May 2026 (Kunzum reopening); package rates as published on each linked package page, last reviewed 27 September 2026.
