Long Weekends 2026 and US Holidays
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026; 11 fall on a weekday. Here is each one, the long weekend it creates and how to stretch it with PTO.
Source: 5 U.S.C. 6103. When a holiday falls on a Saturday it is observed on Friday, and a Sunday holiday on Monday. Private employers choose their own paid holidays; most give six to eight. Tick the ones you get in the planner. Last checked: October 30, 2026.
2026 federal holiday calendar
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) | Monday, February 16, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 19, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Independence Day (observed) | Friday, July 3, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Federal holiday |
| Day after Thanksgiving | Friday, November 27, 2026 | Common company holiday |
| Christmas Eve | Thursday, December 24, 2026 | Common company holiday (some employers) |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Federal holiday |
How to stretch 2026 holidays with PTO
Days off in a row around each holiday, counting weekends, for a private-sector worker who gets the common company holidays (see below).
| Holiday | No PTO | 1 day PTO | 2 days PTO | 3 days PTO | 4 days PTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day January 1, 2026 | 1 day | 4 days | 4 days | 4 days | 4 days |
| Memorial Day May 25, 2026 | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) July 3, 2026 | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days |
| Labor Day September 7, 2026 | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days |
| Thanksgiving November 26, 2026 | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days | 9 days |
| Day after Thanksgiving November 27, 2026 | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days | 9 days |
| Christmas December 25, 2026 | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 9 days |
Best value PTO days
- New Year's Day: take Friday, January 2 off for 4 days in a row, January 1–4, 2026 (1 day of PTO).
- Thanksgiving: take Monday, November 23, Tuesday, November 24, Wednesday, November 25 off for 9 days in a row, November 21–29, 2026 (3 days of PTO).
- Day after Thanksgiving: take Monday, November 23, Tuesday, November 24, Wednesday, November 25 off for 9 days in a row, November 21–29, 2026 (3 days of PTO).
- Memorial Day: take Tuesday, May 26, Wednesday, May 27, Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29 off for 9 days in a row, May 23–31, 2026 (4 days of PTO).
- Independence Day (Fourth of July): take Monday, June 29, Tuesday, June 30, Wednesday, July 1, Thursday, July 2 off for 9 days in a row, June 27 – July 5, 2026 (4 days of PTO).
- Memorial Day 2026: May 25, 2026
- Independence Day (Fourth of July) 2026: July 3, 2026
- Labor Day 2026: September 7, 2026
- Thanksgiving 2026: November 26, 2026
- Christmas 2026: December 25, 2026
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PTO planner
Enter how many PTO days you can use; each holiday shows its normal long weekend and how far your PTO stretches it.
Frequently asked questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
11 federal holidays; 11 fall on a weekday (observed dates).
What is the best long weekend of 2026?
New Year's Day: Friday, January 2 → January 1–4, 2026, 4 days (1 day).