Production calendar: how we work and relax in 2026

The government approved the production calendar for 2026, and on September 24, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a corresponding decree. About how many days Russians will rest for the New Year in 2026, how many four-day and six-day working weeks there will be, as well as when it is more profitable to go on vacation — in the Izvestia article.

How will we rest in 2026 for the New Year and in winter

On New Year's Eve, Russians will not go to work — winter holidays will begin on the last day of 2025, December 31, which falls on Wednesday. The New Year's weekend will last for 12 days — until January 11th. Working days will start on Monday, January 12.

The next Russian holidays are expected at the end of the third month of winter. On Defender of the Fatherland Day in 2026, we will rest for three days. The weekend will start on Saturday, the 21st, and last until Monday, February 23rd. They will be followed by a shortened work week.

How to relax in March and May 2026

In March 2026, Russians traditionally celebrate International Women's Day. Next year, March 8 falls on a Sunday, and we will rest for three days, just like on a men's holiday. The weekend will last from Saturday, March 7 to Monday, March 9. This will be followed by a four-day work week.

There are six public holidays in the production calendar for May. The first weekend is from May 1 to May 3 (Friday — Sunday), preceded by a shortened working week. The second weekend falls on May 9-11 (Saturday — Monday), and the four—day working week begins after the holidays.

When are we resting in the summer and autumn of 2026

There will be three public holidays in summer, preceded by a shorter working week. In honor of Russia Day, the weekend will begin on Friday, June 12 and last through Sunday, June 14.

In the fall of 2026, Russians will have one day off — on Wednesday, November 4.

Which days have been shortened in 2026

In the coming year, four working days will be shortened for those who work on 5/2.

Russians will work an hour less:

— April 30 (Thursday) — before the Spring and Labor Day (May 1);

— May 8 (Friday) — before Victory Day (May 9);

— June 11 (Thursday) — before Russia Day (June 12);

— November 3 (Tuesday) — before National Unity Day (November 4).

How many working days and holidays are there in 2026

In the coming year, Russians will work only 247 days out of 365 days, and 118 days off. In 2025, the number of working days and days off was the same.

January is traditionally the leader in terms of the number of days off in 2026 (17 days), and July will have to work the most — 23 days.

Calendar of weekends and working days in 2026:

January: out of 31 days — 15 working days, 17 weekends and holidays;

February: out of 28 days — 19 working days, 9 weekends and holidays;

March: out of 31 days — 21 working days, 10 days off and holidays;

April: out of 30 days — 22 working days, 8 days off;

May: out of 31 days — 19 working days, 12 weekends and holidays;

June: out of 30 days — 21 working days, 9 weekends and holidays;

July: out of 31 days — 23 working days, 8 days off;

August: out of 31 days — 21 working days, 10 days off;

September: out of 30 days — 22 working days, 8 days off;

October: out of 31 days — 22 working days, 9 days off;

November: out of 30 days — 20 working days, 10 days off and holidays;

December: out of 31 days — 22 working days, 9 days off and holidays.

When is it profitable to take a vacation in 2026

It is always more profitable to take a vacation in months where there are many working days. In 2026, the most "profitable" month is July. It has 23 working days. It is also advantageous to rest in April, September, October and December, with 22 working days each during these months. The least vacation pay will be received in January, where there are only 15 working days.

In addition, to get more money, you should invest in holidays and weekends — Saturday and Sunday.

To roughly understand the number of vacation days, you need to divide the salary by the average number of days per month and multiply the resulting figure by the number of vacation days.