The Tamil Nadu state government has announced school holidays for the Pongal festival in 2026. Schools, colleges, and other educational institutions across Tamil Nadu will close for three days, from January 15 to January 17, 2026 . This closure marks the celebration of the harvest festival.
Pongal is a significant harvest festival observed by Tamil communities. While celebrated across Tamil Nadu and in neighboring states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the announced holidays apply specifically to educational institutions within Tamil Nadu.
Pongal Holiday Schedule 2026
The holiday period covers the main days of the Pongal festival. Bhogi Pandigai, the first day of celebrations, falls on January 14, 2026 . School schedules for this day may vary; some institutions will observe a full closure, while others may hold shorter sessions in preparation for the upcoming festivities.
The core holiday dates are as follows:
| Date | Festival | School Status |
|---|---|---|
| January 14, 2026 | Bhogi Pandigai | Varied (Closed or Shorter Sessions) |
| January 15, 2026 | Thai Pongal | Closed Statewide |
| January 16, 2026 | Mattu Pongal | Closed Statewide |
| January 17, 2026 | Kaanum Pongal / Uzhavar Thirunal | Closed Statewide (Saturday) |
Thai Pongal on January 15 marks the main day of the festival. This day will see a complete closure of all educational institutions. Mattu Pongal , celebrated on January 16, also falls within the official holiday period, ensuring schools remain closed.
The final day of the announced holiday, January 17, 2026 , is dedicated to Kaanum Pongal, also known as Uzhavar Thirunal. As this date falls on a Saturday, schools will remain closed as part of the extended break.
Upcoming January 2026 Holiday
Beyond the Pongal celebrations, schools in Tamil Nadu will observe another public holiday later in January 2026. All educational institutions will be closed on January 26, 2026 , for Republic Day. This national holiday commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India.