Pongal Holiday For Tamil Nadu Schools: How Many Days Off Do Students Get In 2026?

The Tamil Nadu government has finalized the academic holiday schedule for the 2026 Pongal festival. This major harvest festival, deeply significant across the state and for Tamil communities nationwide, will see educational institutions observing a festive break.

The core Pongal holidays for schools across Tamil Nadu will span three days: January 15, 16, and 17.

The festivities commence with Bhogi Pandigai on January 14, 2026 (Wednesday). While not a mandated full holiday statewide, many schools may either close entirely or operate with shorter sessions on this day as students and staff prepare for the celebrations.

The primary festival day, Thai Pongal, falls on January 15, 2026 (Thursday), which will be a full holiday. This will be followed by Mattu Pongal on January 16, 2026 (Friday), also a complete holiday for all schools.

The holiday period concludes with Kaanum Pongal/Uzhavar Thirunal on January 17, 2026 (Saturday). As this is a weekend, schools will remain closed, effectively providing a consecutive break.

Shortly after the Pongal holidays, schools will observe Republic Day on January 26, 2026 (Monday), a national holiday. The day will be marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs across educational institutions.

In summary, students and staff can expect a confirmed three-day holiday from January 15 to 17 for Pongal 2026, with the potential for an early closure on January 14 depending on the individual school's schedule. This break allows the Tamil Nadu community to wholeheartedly celebrate this cherished cultural festival.