Big warning for liquor shops, bars, hotels and party lovers in Andhra Pradesh! In 2026, several Dry Days will see complete ban on alcohol sale and serving across the state, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Amaravati. Nationwide bans on Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15) and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) remain strict. Andhra Pradesh adds restrictions for harvest festival Makara Sankranti (January 15) and other major occasions.
Violators face heavy fines, license cancellation or legal action under AP Excise laws. Stock up in advance – private consumption allowed, but no new sales!
Know Complete Details of Dry Days in Andhra Pradesh 2026
Dry Days enforced by Andhra Pradesh Prohibition & Excise Department for national events, harvest festivals and religious observances.
Nationwide Dry Days:
- Republic Day: January 26, 2026 (Monday)
- Independence Day: August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
- Gandhi Jayanti: October 2, 2026 (Friday)
Andhra Pradesh-Specific Major Dry Days:
- Makara Sankranti / Pongal: January 15, 2026 (Thursday)
- Kanuma: Often observed around January 16
- Good Friday: April 3, 2026 (Friday)
- Eid-ul-Fitr (tentative): March 21, 2026
- Eid-ul-Zuha / Bakrid (tentative): May 28, 2026
- Muharram (tentative): June 26, 2026
- Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra: October 20, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Deepavali: November 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Election dry days extra if polls in your area (48 hours before voting + counting day).
Month-Wise Dry Days in Andhra Pradesh 2026
- January: 15 (Makara Sankranti), 26 (Republic Day)
- March: 21 (Eid-ul-Fitr, tentative)
- April: 3 (Good Friday)
- May: 28 (Bakrid, tentative)
- June: 26 (Muharram, tentative)
- August: 15 (Independence Day)
- October: 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), 20 (Dussehra)
- November: 8 (Deepavali)
Lunar dates (Eid, Muharram) may shift by 1-2 days – check official notifications.
Special Rules in Andhra Pradesh Cities
- Visakhapatnam / Vijayawada: Strict enforcement; wine shops, bars closed fully.
- Other districts: Local variations during Sankranti celebrations.
- Exceptions: Some premium hotels may have limited permissions, but rare on key days.
- No Home Delivery: Banned on dry days.
How It Affects You – Avoid Fines & Plan Parties
- Bars/Hotels/Restaurants: No serving – impact on business.
- Liquor Shops: Closed whole day.
- Buyers: Stock before; personal use ok.
- Events/Parties: Schedule carefully around dates.
- Tip: Monitor AP Excise department website or local news.
- Edge Cases: Multi-day during Sankranti in rural areas; election sudden bans.
These restrictions honour cultural and national significance – promote safety.
Planning celebrations in 2026? Which dry day affects you most? Comment below and share your views!
Stay updated with us for all latest excise rules, festivals and restrictions in Andhra Pradesh 2026.
Note: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Please refer to official government notifications for confirmation.
