You might be simply getting again to work after the vacations (full with a hangover and/or fruitcake coma), however it’s by no means too early to begin planning for the yr forward.
For journey fanatics, there by no means appear to be sufficient trip days within the yr. Fortunately, the U.S. has almost a dozen public holidays in 2026 — and in the event you time them proper, you may flip 4 days of paid day off into a visit of as much as 10 days.
Right here, I will break down this yr’s U.S. holidays and present you find out how to plan your 2026 travels to maximise your paid day off.
What days are public holidays in 2026?
In case you’re primarily based within the U.S., listed here are the general public holidays it’s a must to look ahead to this yr. However remember that not all employers observe all of those, and a few present floating holidays (which can be utilized at any time) in alternate for sure public holidays.
- New 12 months’s Day: Thursday, Jan. 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, Jan. 19
- Presidents Day: Monday, Feb. 16
- Memorial Day: Monday, Could 25
- Juneteenth: Friday, June 19
- Independence Day: Friday, July 3
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Indigenous Peoples Day (additionally noticed as Columbus Day): Monday, Oct. 12
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 26 (and a few employers grant Friday, Nov. 27 off as properly)
- Christmas: Friday, Dec. 25
With that in thoughts, here is find out how to strategically maximize your days off in 2026.
January
This yr, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 19. By taking off Friday, Jan. 16, you may achieve a four-day weekend whereas utilizing simply at some point of paid day off — excellent for hitting the slopes.
Nevertheless, residing in Colorado, I can attest that touring to and from a ski resort on the Friday and Monday of MLK Day weekend is setting your self up for visitors jams and milelong carry traces. Think about taking Tuesday, Jan. 20 off as an alternative of Friday to fill out your four-day weekend, as this may enable you keep away from the crowds.
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February
Take off Feb. 13, the Friday earlier than Presidents Day on Feb. 16, to get a four-day weekend — excellent for celebrating Valentine’s Day with somebody you like.
Or, take off Feb. 17 to twenty to plan a nine-day journey with solely 4 days of paid day off. February is the right time to beat the winter blues at one in all these unexpected warm-weather destinations.
Remember that the 2026 Winter Olympics can be held from Feb. 6 to 22 in Italy — and it isn’t too late to get tickets. You can leverage Presidents Day to plan a nine-day journey to catch some medal occasions, ski the Dolomites and/or eat your way through Italy.
Could
To kick off summer season with a four-day weekend, take off Could 22, the Friday earlier than Memorial Day on Monday, Could 25. Simply keep in mind that many different vacationers can be doing the identical, making Friday and Monday a number of the busiest days at airports all yr.
As a substitute, contemplate taking off the remainder of the week, Could 26 to 29 (solely 4 days of trip time), for 9 consecutive days away from work — plus cheaper flight choices and a calmer journey expertise. Or, you can forgo airports fully with one in all these epic road trips.
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June
Since Juneteenth falls on a Friday this yr, you may mechanically get a three-day weekend. Add a trip day on the Thursday earlier than (June 18) or the next Monday (June 22) to increase your weekend.
Dreaming of an extended journey, equivalent to a European “coolcation”? Plan your paid day off for June 15 to 18 for a nine-day vacation.
And remember that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will happen from mid-June to mid-July at venues throughout North America, together with group-stage matches all through the weekend of Juneteenth and knockout-stage video games the weekend of July 4. See the complete schedule here.
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July
This yr, Independence Day can be celebrated on Friday, July 3, making it simple to plan a protracted weekend getaway by taking off Monday, July 6. Or, request paid day off from June 29 to July 2 to get 9 consecutive days off with simply 4 days of go away.
September
Labor Day lands on Sept. 7, and it is the right time to squeeze in a single final family trip — in case your youngsters’ faculty would not begin in August.
Take off the Friday earlier than (Sept. 4) for a four-day weekend — however, as traditional, airports can be packed on as of late and ticket costs can be sky-high. You might be higher off extending your weekend to Thursday or Tuesday as an alternative.
In case you’re not constrained by a faculty schedule, take off the rest of the week (Sept. 8 to 11) to get 9 consecutive days of freedom whereas utilizing solely 4 of your valuable trip days.
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October
Monday, Oct. 12 is a public vacation for Indigenous Peoples Day. You can add on some paid day off on the Friday earlier than (Oct. 9) for a four-day weekend, or e-book an extended journey by taking off Tuesday to Friday (Oct. 13 to 16).
In case you’re a Halloween devotee like me, you are most likely bummed that the spookiest day of the yr would not get its personal vacation. (My petitions to Congress proceed to fall on deaf ears.) Nevertheless, some employers present versatile floating holidays in lieu of day off on days equivalent to Presidents Day and Veterans Day. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this yr, you can use a floating vacation or two for a protracted weekend journey to a spooky destination or theme park.
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November
Veterans Day (Nov. 11) is on a Wednesday this yr, smack-dab in the course of the week. Give your self a five-day weekend through the use of trip time on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 9 to 10) or Thursday and Friday (Nov. 12 to 13). Or, use 4 days of paid day off to take all the week off.
Then there’s Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 27. Taking off Friday for a four-day weekend is a no brainer, however you can lengthen your journey to 9 days through the use of paid day off on Nov. 24, 25, 26 and 28.
Thanksgiving is a notoriously annoying time to journey, and flight and resort costs are inclined to spike round this time. Think about booking your trip with points and miles to chop prices. Or, rating cheaper worldwide fares since there is not numerous demand for European journey throughout this month.
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December
With each Christmas and New 12 months’s Day conveniently on Fridays this yr, you may take pleasure in two consecutive lengthy weekends — or use simply 4 days of paid day off from Dec. 28 to 31 for a 10-day break from work. Even Ebenezer Scrooge could not say no to that.
That is numerous snowboarding, sledding, sleigh rides or no matter wintry activity tickles your fancy.
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Backside line
You might have a finite quantity of paid day off annually, however that does not should restrict your travels. You possibly can keep longer and discover extra by strategically reserving your day off round public holidays.
Nevertheless, flexibility is vital when redeeming factors and miles for journey, and it could be tougher to seek out nice award charges on widespread journey dates round holidays. Your finest wager is to go looking early and infrequently utilizing instruments like Seats.aero and Rooms.aero and to leap on the most effective offers while you spot them.