List of Holidays in October 2023

As soon as the monsoon departs and the sky clears, the weather becomes ideal for planning a getaway trip, and October brings pleasant weather. Here you will find all the information you need about October 2023 holidays and festivities. In addition, here is some information on places to visit in October to help you plan your vacation. Scroll down!

List of Public Holidays in India in October 2023

The public holidays keep varying with the states. Here is a list of the public or gazetted holidays in October along with the states so that you don’t miss out on any holiday anywhere in India. 

Please note, some festivals can be celebrated countrywide but not all states will declare that as a holiday. 

List of Bank Holidays in October 2023 in India

In India, all the government banks (state as well as central) remain non-operational on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Apart from these days, banks also stay closed on public, national, and regional holidays. But public and regional holidays keep changing depending upon the states in which the bank is situated. Find the list of state-wise bank holidays in the following table: 

List of October Holidays Around the World

October brings the holiday mood not only in India but outside India as well. So, if you want to explore the culture and festivities in other parts of the world, this is the perfect season for you. So, before you pack your bags and book the tickets go through this list of holidays around the world. This list will help you plan your trip to align with other plans you might have. 

Festivals Celebration in October 2023

As a religiously diverse country, there are cultural, regional, and religious celebrations every month. Here are some of the most widely observed festivals in India that you can witness and participate in during the month of October 2023.

1. Navaratri

Navaratri is widely observed by Hindus in India. It commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over evil and the beginning of a pure and harmonious life. The festival is held over a nine-night period in the western part of India, primarily in the state of Gujarat. For the nine days, there are nine different colour codes for dressing up. In that order, they are yellow, green, grey, orange, white, red, royal blue, pink, and purple. Navaratri will be celebrated from the 15th to the 24th of October in 2023.

2. Durga Puja

Durga Puja commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. This festival is observed not only in India, but also in other parts of the world. However, Kolkata is the place to be for this celebration. Even though the festival lasts only 7 to 10 days, preparations such as making idols and erecting pandals begin months in advance. This celebration will take place in 2023, from the 20th to the 24th of October.

3. Dussehra

Dussehra is the culmination of the Durga Puja celebration, the day when Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura after a long battle. This day is also commemorated in some parts of the country as the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana. You can participate in this year’s celebration of the triumph of good over evil on October 24th.

4. Halloween

Every year on the 31st of October, the world celebrates Halloween. The ancient belief behind this festival is that the dead attempt to blend in with the living. As a result, the participants dress up as ghosts. The essence of this celebration is the quirky themed parties, ghostly costumes, and spooky decorations and snacks. You can take part in this spooky celebration in India’s major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.

5. Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is observed across India to pay tribute and respect to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. 2^nd October is the birthday of Gandhiji. It is a national holiday and many schools and institutions make arrangements to celebrate this day. Prayers and meetings are held at Gandhi Memorial, Raj Ghat, New Delhi to pay homage. 

Places to Visit in India During October Holidays 2023

Can you guess the best thing about October? It is the season of autumn! This time is perfect for planning trips- be it the hills of Shimla or the beaches of Andaman. So, go on and make some ever-cherishing memories with your loved ones this year. Here are five of the best places to visit in India in October to suit everyone’s travel taste palate! 

1. Kolkata

Why is Kolkata one of the best places to visit in India in October? Well, if you go on and ask anyone, they will tell you it’s Durga Puja. And they are right! But apart from those few days, Kolkata has a plethora of activities and adventures for its dear visitors.

• Attractions: Victoria Memorial, Botanical Garden, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Howrah Bridge, etc. 
• Things to Do: Enjoy the street food, visit the Indian Museum and relive history, take a ride in Trams, don’t forget to try Rosogollas (not Rasgullas), and many more. 
• How to Reach: You can easily reach Kolkata by road as it is well-connected to most of the cities throughout India. You can also take a train and arrive at Howrah Railway Station. If you are travelling via aeroplane, get down at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. 
• Events/Festivals: Durga Puja, Navaratri. 

2. Shimla

Even though it is known as the Summer Capital of India, October is one of the best times to visit this hill station. Though people who want to experience snow may find it disappointing as you won’t find any in October. But October marks the arrival of winter and can be enough reason to visit this beautiful town. 

• Attractions: Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, State Museum, the Ridge, Jakhoo temple, etc.
• Things to Do: Trekking, camping, hiking, toy train ride, cycling, etc. 
• How to Reach: This city is well connected via roadways as it is in the proximity of Chandigarh and Delhi. You can also reach via train. You need to get down at New Jalpaiguri Station and take public transport easily available from there. To make your trip more fun, you can take a toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla. You can also take the air route. 

3. Kutch

Whenever you hear about Gujarat, the Rann of Kutch is the first thing you will hear. As October arrives, Kutch begins to dry up and forms a sea of salt. What can be better than experiencing this natural phenomenon with your own eyes? 

• Attractions: Rann of Kutch, Mandvi Beach, Bhanjano Hills, Aaina Mahal Palace, etc. 
• Things to Do: Take a stroll by the beach, visit the ancient civilisation of Dholavira, explore the museums and palaces 
• How to Reach: There are plenty of buses available from Bhuj to Kutch. If you are taking the train, Bhuj is the nearest railway station.  Get down at Bhuj Airport if travelling by airways. 
• Events/Festivals: Rann Mahotsav

4. Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep is situated off the coast of Kerala and Karnataka. It is popular among travellers due to its beautiful beaches, private islands, lovely weather, and water sports. 

• Attractions: Minicoy Island, Kavaratti, Kadmat Island, and Kalpeni 
• Things to Do: Island tour, water sports, beach sports, sunbathing 
• How to Reach: You can reach Lakshadweep via airways and get down at Agatti Airport. There are also ships available from Kochi to Lakshadweep. 
• Events/Festivals: Milad-Ul-Nabi

5. Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is a mesmerising hill station situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. This town is filled with plantations, dense forests, and unruffled landscapes that keep you coming back for more. 

• Attractions: Silver Cascade Falls, Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, etc.
• Things to Do: Trekking, hiking, camping, boating, trying out local delicacies, etc. 
• How to Reach: You can reach Kodaikanal via roadways. You can take public transport available from Madurai, Coimbatore, and Trichy. To reach via railway, you need to get down at Kodai Road Rail Station. You can also book a flight to Madurai Airport. 

Places to Visit Outside India During October Holidays 2023

October is the season that shows off the best colours of nature as it is about to renew itself. There are various festivities that are organised in different parts of the world during this month. To be a part of these celebrations, you can choose to travel to any of these destinations: 

Here are the five best places to visit in October to help you pin down the destination this fall. 

1. Italy

Italy is much more than just pizza or grand historical monuments. If you want to witness and be part of the  special food and wine festivals, then you need to visit this country in October. 

• Attractions: Colosseum, Lake Como, Vatican City, Pompeii, etc. 
• Things to Do: Take a boat trip across Amalfi Coast, explore the Cinque Terre, have pizza at Naples, etc. 
• How to Reach: There are frequent flights available from Mumbai and New Delhi to Rome. 
• Events/Festivals: Truffle Festivals and Fairs, Boccaccesca in Certaldo Alto, Halloween and All Saints Eve Celebrations, etc. 

2. Portugal 

The best part about visiting Portugal in October is the lack of crowd. It is the best time to enjoy outdoor activities and go sightseeing. 

• Attractions: Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Faro District
• Things to Do: Experience nightlife in Lisbon, try local delicacies, go on heritage walks, explore hidden caves, etc. 
• How to Reach: You can take daily flights to Lisbon available from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, and Chennai. 
• Eventos/Festivals: Feira de Outubro, Feira de Santa Iria, etc. 

3. Scotland

Scotland is one of the prime tourist locations in Europe to visit in the fall. Halloween, music festivals, and the Northern Lights- do you need any more reasons to book your tickets? 

• Attractions: Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc. 
• Things to Do: Visit Edinburgh Castle, go hiking, golfing, chase Northern Lights 
• How to Reach: There isn’t any direct flight available, but you can take a stopover flight and get down at any of these airports – Glasgow International Airport, Inverness Airport, Aberdeen International Airport, Edinburgh Airport, and Dundee Airport. Or you can fly to London and take a domestic flight from there. 
• Events/Festivals: The Enchanted Forest, Edinburgh Cocktail Week, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, etc. 

4. Turkey

October is one of the most suitable times to visit Turkey. Visit the Mediterranean coastline, take a stroll by the beaches and catch some pretty sights from the Bosphorus Bridge. 

• Attractions: Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Antalya, etc. 
• Things to Do: Try out Turkish coffee, take delight in Hamam, take a ride on a hot air balloon, etc. 
• How to Reach: You can easily book a direct flight from Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai to Turkey. 
• Events/Festivals: Akbank Jazz Festival, Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, etc. 

5. Iceland

Iceland is on the bucket list of many travellers because of the Northern Lights. And the onset of winter is the best time to visit this land of ice and volcanic fire. 

• Attractions: Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Reykjavik, Gullfoss Waterfall, etc. 
• Things to Do: Chasing the Northern Lights, hiking, whale watching, etc. 
• How to Reach: You can reach Keflavik International Airport via one-stop flights available from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. 
• Events/Festivals: Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival, Secret Solstice Festival

Final Word

This blog discusses in detail the places you can visit in October and lists out the dates to help you make the most out of the holidays in October. Plan your trip, book tickets, and keep creating memories with your loved ones as well as strangers. 

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