Although it is the last month of the year, December has several occasions that many across the country look forward to. While Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the most popular holidays of December, there are a lot more holidays to plan for in the last month of the year.
The cold weather also makes for the perfect time to visit different places and have new experiences. The best way to plan for these experiences and celebrations is to know the holiday schedule in advance. This way, you get ample time on your hands to find the perfect date to take the trip!
Here's a look at the list of holidays in December 2023 in India.
Check out this table to know all holidays in December 2023 in India:
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Celebrated in |
1 December 2023 |
Friday |
Indigenous Faith Day |
Arunachal Pradesh |
3 December 2023 |
Sunday |
Feast of St. Francis Xavier |
Goa |
5 December 2023 |
Tuesday |
Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti |
Jammu and Kashmir |
12 December 2023 |
Tuesday |
Pa Togan Nengminza Sangma |
Meghalaya |
18 December 2023 |
Monday |
Death Anniversary of U SoSo Tham, Guru Ghasidas Jayanti |
Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh respectively |
19 December 2023 |
Tuesday |
Goa Liberation Day |
Goa |
24 December 2023 |
Sunday |
Christmas eve |
Across India |
25 December 2023 |
Monday |
Christmas Day |
Across India |
26 December 2023 |
Tuesday |
Shaheed Udham Singh Jayanti |
Haryana, Punjab |
30 December 2023 |
Saturday |
Tamu Losar U Kiang Nangbah |
Sikkim, Meghalaya |
31 December 2023 |
Sunday |
New Year's Eve |
Across India |
Here’s the list of the bank holidays in December 2023, apart from the second and fourth Saturday.
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Celebrated In |
25 December 2023 |
Monday |
Christmas Day |
Across India |
Here are a few facts to offer insights into the bank and public holidays in December 2023.
Indigenous Faith Day: The day is celebrated to protect and promote indigenous faith across Arunachal Pradesh. This annual celebration takes place with people diverging in honouring their language, traditions, and customs.
Feast of St Francis Xavier: Honouring the memory of St. Francis Xavier, this day is an annual celebration throughout the state of Goa. On this day, devotees of St. Francis Xavier pray and offer candles and flowers, which is then followed by a feast.
Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti: The day commemorates the birthday of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti, who played a pivotal role in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir and was the first elected Prime Minister of the state.
Pa Togan Nengminza Sangma: Observed in Meghalaya, this day marks the death anniversary of the martyred Garo Warrior, Pa Togan. Considered one of the first Garo hills freedom fighters, he was part of the movement against British occupation in northeast India.
Death Anniversary of U SoSo Tham: A regional holiday in Meghalaya, this day marks the death anniversary of the famous poet U SoSo Tham. He was the first poet to use Khasi idioms and initiate secular literature.
Guru Ghasidas Jayanti: The day is a regional holiday in Chhattisgarh and commemorates the birthday of Guru Ghasidas, founder of the Satnam Sect in Hinduism.
Goa Liberation Day: This day is a celebration of when the armed forces freed the state from the Portuguese. The day is celebrated with a lot of fervour by the people of the state, who carry a torchlight procession from different places and meet at Azad Maidan.
Christmas Day: Christmas is a popular holiday in countries and states all over the world. The day marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with church visits, the exchange of gifts, tree decorations, and shared meals.
Shaheed Udham Singh Jayanti: The day marks the birth anniversary of revolutionary Udham Singh and is celebrated in Uttarakhand. He was hanged for killing Michael O'Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor when the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred.
Tamu Losar: The day marks the start of the Gurung New Year and is celebrated by the people of the Gurung Community in the northeastern states of India. People dress in their traditional attire and celebrate with gift exchanges, fairs, and dancing.
U Kiang Nangbah: Observed in Meghalaya, this day marks the death anniversary of U Kiang Nangbah, a respected freedom fighter from the state who led an uprising against British rule in India.
New Year's Eve: The last day of the year is celebrated vibrantly by people all over the globe. People celebrate the end of the year by indulging themselves in dance, parties, meals, and fireworks.
Auli: This tops the list of places to visit in December because snow is the perfect complement to the cold weather of December. Situated in Uttarakhand, the hill station is one of the best places to relive your memories of playing around in the snow. The hill station is also hailed as a skiing paradise and attracts tourists from all over the world.
Manali: Manali is not an uncommon destination in the list of places to visit, especially in the last month of the year. A high-altitude town, you can find numerous snow sports to do, including snowboarding and skiing.
In Manali, you can also find some of the best valleys with awe-inspiring scenic views, as well as ancient temples that mesmerise you with their structure. All of it makes it a perfect place for every type of travel enthusiast – leisure, sports, or sightseeing.
Goa: Goa is a paradise for any traveller looking to spend time on the beach and enjoy the mesmerising sunset/sunrise and the sound of waves crashing at the shore. With 30+ beaches, you can be sure of one thing: not to run out of places to explore and water sports to do!
Attracting thousands of tourists all year round, December is the best place to visit and experience the grand celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Shillong: The capital of Meghalaya, the city, is vibrant during December. With grand Christmas celebrations, the hill station is beautifully encapsulated with nature. Surrounded by trees and covered by clouds, you can find cuisines and trends from around the world.
Pondicherry: One of the seven union territories and the largest French colony in India, the city has a lot to offer and attracts tourists from across the world. Pondicherry is home to some of the most amazing cultures, monuments, and places in India. From beaches to the serene town of Auroville, the city has many must-visit places.
Friday, 22 December – Take the day off
Saturday, 23 December – Bank holiday, fourth Saturday
Sunday, 24 December – Sunday
Monday, 25 December – Christmas Day
Armed with this list of holidays in December 2023, start planning your vacations without any delay. Getting a jumpstart on these plans helps you prioritise your financial wellbeing and get deals on travel. In fact, it is the ideal route to go if you have plans to travel overseas or spend the final week of the year in an exotic destination.
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