Diwali is an important festival in India that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It has social and religious significance, especially in Uttar Pradesh (UP). In advance of Diwali, schools often declare holiday breaks for students and their staff members to engage in the festivities about to occur.
Diwali Holidays in 2025
Schools will be closed from October 20 – 23, 2025 for Diwali, to allow all students to participate and observe Diwali related traditions and festivities. The holidays are as follows:
- October 20, 2025 (Monday): Diwali (Deepavali)
- October 21, 2025 (Tuesday): Second Day of Diwali
- October 22, 2025 (Wednesday): Govardhan Puja
- October 23, 2025 (Thursday): Bhai Dooj
Public and private schools will generally encourage students to enjoy Diwali even while not in academic activities, for both religious and social reasons.
The Significance of the Holidays
Diwali is a multi-day celebration, and therefore, having holidays for Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj allows students to fully experience the culture, rituals, traditions, and family relationships involved in the holiday. In addition to the holidays, student engage in school based cultural programming prior to the breaks as a way to actively “participate” and be introduced to some customs of the sub-continent of India through experience and fun.
Look for Holidays Characteristic to Your School
The government sets a general outline for holidays, but of course a school could have a slightly different schedule since it has its own policy. Private schools or other districts in UP could also consider similar days of holidays, so it’s best to check with your child’s school for exact start and end dates. Some schools may even choose to have Dhanteras-October 18-as a day of school holiday even though it is not an official public holiday.
What’s Great About the School Holidays
School holidays surrounding Diwali provide time for student rest and renewal, and family bonding. Families often take short trips or plan special holiday celebrations during Diwali. The holidays provide an excellent time for students to return and become ready for the next round of academic work at school.
With Diwali 2025 school holiday dates from October 20-23 in the state of Uttar Pradesh, all major festival days and more are included. This will provide for a restful joyous holiday.
Disclaimer: Holiday dates are based on official announcements as of 2025 and may vary locally.
Vani Verma is a content writer with over 2 years of experience in lifestyle, entertainment, health and digital media. She has a knack for creating engaging and research-driven content that resonates with readers, blending creativity with clarity. Passionate about media trends, culture, and storytelling, she strives to craft content that informs, inspires, and connects.
