Dry Day December : All Liquor Shops will Remain Closed for 2 Days in December, Know why the Government Closed Liquor Shops for Two Days.
Dry Day December : Half of December has already gone by, and Christmas will be celebrated later this month. Soon after that, the New Year will begin. However, the excitement of Christmas and New Year celebrations may be affected due to the possibility of a dry day. In such a situation, people preparing for the festivities should know whether liquor shops will remain open or closed.
Festive Cheer in December, but Fear of a Dry Day
With half of December over, all eyes are now on Christmas and the welcome of New Year 2026. As every year, people are busy preparing for 25 December (Christmas) and 31 December–1 January (New Year celebrations). However, the impact of a potential dry day could slightly spoil the celebratory mood.
Will Liquor Shops Be Closed on Christmas and New Year?
So far, no state government or excise department has officially declared a dry day on Christmas (25 December) or New Year (31 December / 1 January). However, the administration sometimes takes sudden decisions, especially on religious or sensitive occasions. Therefore, the situation regarding a dry day is not yet completely clear.
Preparations Across Many States Including Uttar Pradesh
In states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Karnataka, and across the country, people are gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year with enthusiasm. Advance bookings have already started in hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Still, one common question remains in everyone’s mind — will liquor shops be open or not?
Last Year’s Decision: Shops Stayed Open Longer
Last year, the Uttar Pradesh Excise Department took a special decision regarding liquor shops on Christmas and New Year.
- Normally, liquor shops in UP remain open until 10 PM.
- However, on 25 December and 31 December, shops were allowed to stay open until 11 PM.
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This meant an extension of one extra hour.
No Official Order Issued This Year Yet
As of now, no official order has been issued by the excise department for the end of 2025.
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Both liquor consumers and shop owners are waiting to see whether shops will be allowed to stay open late this year as well.
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Such decisions depend on state governments and are usually taken considering law and order and security arrangements during festivals.
Why Are Liquor Shops Closed on Dry Days?
In India, a dry day refers to a day when the sale of alcohol is legally prohibited.
- Dry days are usually observed on national holidays like Gandhi Jayanti, Independence Day, and Republic Day.
- Apart from these, state governments may also declare dry days during elections, religious events, or VIP visits.
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The main objective of a dry day is to maintain social harmony and law and order.
Dry Days Vary from State to State
Each state has its own dry day calendar.
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For example, Maharashtra does not usually observe a dry day on 25 December.
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In Gujarat, restrictions may apply in certain areas due to stricter alcohol laws.
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In Delhi, 31 December and 1 January are generally not dry days, but the situation can change if an official order is issued.
How to Check if Liquor Shops Are Open in Your City
If you want to know whether liquor shops will be open in your area, you can:
- Check the state excise department’s website
- Follow reports on local news channels
- Contact nearby liquor shops directly
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Keep an eye on official government notifications
Advice for Safe and Responsible Celebrations
The government and police departments always appeal to citizens to:
- Celebrate responsibly
- Do not drink and drive
- Avoid creating disturbances in public places
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Respect family values and social decorum