Delhi Dry Day List 2026: Liquor shops in Delhi will be open on Holi, March 4 as the Delhi government has removed Holi from the list of 'dry days'. This allows liquor shops to operate, unlike previous years when they were closed. The Delhi government, in its order, issued in January removed Holi from the list of 'dry days,' This list notifies the days when liquor shops will remain closed in Delhi.

What does the order say?

While the order categorised Republic Day, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti as 'dry days' for January-March period, it doesn't include Holi. The closure of liquor shops during Holi varies across regions. While some states impose restrictions, others allow regulated sales through licensed outlets. Some states enforce partial or full-day closures of liquor shops during the festival. The January order stated that those holding a licence to run a liquor store won't be granted any compensation for keeping the shops closed. It also noted that the restrictions will not apply to licensed hotels and guesthouses serving liquor to their guests.

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Why is this important?

The opening of liquor shops during Holi this year is significant as the festival has mostly been a 'dry day' in Delhi. A major exception was in 2022 only, when an excise policy brought by former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government had reduced the number of 'dry days' to three. However, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led BJP government has now removed Holi from the 'dry days' list. Earlier, the party had slammed the AAP government for reducing the number of dry days.

Former Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta, had earlier said, "There were 21 dry days to mark national holidays and to pay respect to the religious sentiments of people. I can not understand why Chief Minister Kejriwal is more inclined towards the liquor mafia. Every day, Delhi witnesses a liquor sale of over Rs 50 crore, and everybody knows how and why Arvind Kejriwal is supporting the liquor mafia."

The issue is expected to spark discussion in political circles as Kejriwal and AAP leader Manish Sisodia were recently discharged of charges by a court in the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

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