Are Liquor Shops Open On Diwali 2026? State-Wise Rules And Dry Days

With Diwali coming soon, a question on everyone's minds is, whether or not diwali is a dry day? Will liquor shops be open? These questions are best cleared in advance to avoid any surprises as different states follow different excise regulations and the answer differs from state to state. This year Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8th 2026. New Delhi has announced the festival as a dry day while some other states are allowing alcohol stores to operate normally.

Is Diwali 2026 A Dry Day In India?

What is a dry day? It is a government mandated date on which the sale of alcohol is prohibited across all establishments. Alcohol stores must stay closed while hotels, bars, restaurants and other such ventures have to follow their licenses and local regulations.

India does not have one nationwide dry day for Diwali. While Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti are widely known to be dry days, festival related restrictions are usually set by the state governments and local authorities.

Delhi: Liquor Shops To Remain Closed On November 8

All liquor shops in New Delhi will be closed on November 8th 2026. The order released by The Delhi Excise Department also includes Gandhi Jayanti, 2nd October and Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24th. 

The declared restrictions also apply to specific liquor license categories, with certain hotels holding the proper licenses gaining an exception from serving guests, however the regular retail outlets cannot operate during the notified period.

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Maharashtra: Will Liquor Shops Open In Mumbai And Pune?

While Maharashtra’s dry day calendar includes Kartiki Ekadashi on November 5th, they don't have a dedicated day for Diwali. While district collectors can impose restrictions if and when necessary, this usually means that most liquor stores across Mumbai and Pune and other cities in the state can operate. 

Uttar Pradesh: Check Local Excise Notifications

Several published calendars state that Uttar Pradesh will follow a dry day on November 8th. This can affect stores in cities across the state. While there is no official confirmation, it is best to check the Uttar Pradesh Excise Department website for further details. 

What About Karnataka, Telangana, And Other States?

In Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and other states alcohol sale on Diwali is dependent on the excise rules and local government orders. The festival does not automatically mean that it is a country wide dry day. Each city will follow different rules and regulations and are expected to operate within them. It is advisable to keep an eye on any and all state related excise information released. 

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Author's Note

The information presented in this article has been sourced from Restaurant India, CNBC-TV18, News18, Hindustan Times, and News24, with additional references from the Delhi Excise Department. These sources provide details on Diwali 2026 dry days, state-wise liquor shop closures, alcohol sale restrictions, and applicable exemptions.

Summing Up

Maharashtra does not observe a dry day on Diwali, however New Delhi does. With each state operating under its own rules and regulations, you will find a different answer to this question with each state possibly giving a different answer. The important thing is that you should check local news sources beforehand in order to be better prepared.