If ‘Weekend is Coming’ are those three magical words you want to hear, then 2018 is going to be one amazing year. We love weekends. They are like an oasis in the middle of a hot and dry desert. Yes, after working tirelessly for days, we get those priceless off-days where we can relax, have a family time, chill with friends, read, cook, travel or simply take long naps. Basically, indulge in activities to recuperate from daily-lives stress. And, what’s better than weekends...LONG WEEKENDS! Having an extra day off either on Friday or Monday is a sweet dream, which is getting fulfilled in the New Year. There are as many as 15 long weekends in 2018 and it is important for us to make complete use of it.

India ranks fifth in the most vacation-deprived country globally. According to an annual survey conducted by online travel agency Expedia, 67 percent Indians have cancelled or postponed vacation plans for several reasons this year. Yes, we love to work day in, day out. But taking your minds off work to rejuvenate is equally important. The year is gifting us 15 long weekends to strike a healthy work-life balance. Here’s a complete list of long weekends of 2018. Mark these dates on the calendar and plan short vacations, romantic getaways or solo trips. Just do it!

January

The first month of the year has two long weekends. First is between January 20-22 with Vasant Panchami falling on January 22 i.e. Monday. The second is between January 26-28 with this Republic Day falling on a Friday. It could not get better having two back-to-back long weekends in the second half of the month. You can head off to Rajasthan with Jaipur Literature Fest scheduled to take place between January 24-29.

February

Unlike January, there is no legit long weekend in February. But you can get one by applying for a leave in advance in the second week. With Maha Shivaratri celebrated on February 13 on Tuesday, apply for a leave on February 12. This way you get a four-day long weekend beginning from February 10. There are many festivals and events to attend this month like Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (February 3-11) in Mumbai, Mahindra Blues Festival (February 10-11) in Mumbai, India Art Fair (February 9-12) in New Delhi and Surajkund International Crafts Mela (Faridabad, near South Delhi). The fun and colourful Goa Carnival is also taking place exactly on the four-day long weekend, from February 10 and last until 13.

March

There are two long weekends in March, at the beginning and end of the month. With Holi (March 2) falling on Friday, you get the offs on March 2, 3 and 4. The second-long weekend is going to be a four-day affair beginning from March 29 and until April 1. March 29 will be celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti falls on Thursday followed by Good Friday on March 30.

April

The month begins with a Sunday and how awesome is that. However, there is just one occasion when getting a long weekend in April and that too at the end of month. The four-day long weekend falls on April 28-30 and May 1. April 30th marks the celebration of Buddha Purnima or Vesak and it falls on a Monday. May 1 is commemorated as Maharashtra Day and is observed a holiday only in the state of Maharashtra. So, the rest of country will have a three-day weekend except for people living in Maharashtra. Woah!

May

May 1 is celebrated as Labour Day but there’s not a single long weekend in the month. What an irony! Boycott May and cry your way to the office.

June

The most important religious holiday for Muslims takes place on June 14-15 as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr. June 15 will fall on Friday, making way for a three-day long weekend.

July

Just like May, July also does not believe in giving extra days off. So, kindly be content with the five regular weekends.

August

August 2018 is going to be the ultimate month of holidays in India. With careful planning and applying for leaves in advance, you can enjoy two five-day long weekends. The first one is during the Independence Day week. It begins from August 15 till August 19. Independence Day on August 15 falls on Wednesday, apply for a leave on August 16 (Thursday), Parsi New Year on August 17 (Friday) followed by your regular Saturday and Sunday offs.

The second-long weekend of the month begins from August 22, once again on a Wednesday with the celebration of Eid al-Adha. You can apply for a leave on August 23 (Thursday) as the next day i.e. August 24 marks Onam. So, it is going to be big holiday between August 22-26, 2018.

September

Months starting on a weekend are kind of our favourites. And what better than them turning into a long weekend. The month’s first long weekend is from September 1 to 3, with Krishna Janmashtami falling on 3rd September, Monday. The festive season presents another long weekend opportunity during the commemoration of Ganesh Chaturthi on September 13, Thursday. If you can apply for a leave on Friday, you can have a four-day long weekend i.e. September 13-16, 2018.

October

The last routine weekend of September; 29 and 30 combined with October’s first two days make an awesome long weekend. Apply for a leave on October 1, Monday as the next day i.e. October 2 is a national holiday. The country celebrates Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Tuesday. You also get a legit four-day off in the third week of October. The week sees back to back festivals, Ram Navami falling on October 18 (Thursday) and Dussehra on October 19 (Friday).

November

The month witnesses the celebration of country’s biggest Hindu festival – Diwali. By taking leaves and applying for optional holidays, you mat get to enjoy two back-to-back long weekends between November 3 to 11. Yes, nine-day long weekend! That is like a baap of long weekends.

So, which dates are legit offs and which ones, you need to apply leaves for? November 3 and 4 is Saturday and Sunday. On November 5, you have Dhanteras. You need to apply for a leave on November 6. Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj fall on November 7, 8 and 9 respectively. It will be followed by another set of Saturday and Sunday. Voila!

December

December is officially considered the festive season across the globe. However, there is going to be one long weekend for us in India. It will be between December 22 and 25 and that too after applying for a leave on the Christmas Eve on December 24 to get your four-day long weekend.

So, what are you waiting for? The list of long weekends is right in front of you. Go ahead and plan the best trips of your life in 2018. However, a futile exercise you may think holidays and vacations, it is not. They not only declutter your mind but also helps in making memories …memories that you’ll cherish in the long run.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2018 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).