Long weekends and PTO planner (2026)
These combinations join federal holidays and weekends with a few days of paid time off (PTO). Green cards give the most days off for the fewest vacation days.
- 9-day break4 days off
December 27 – January 4
Take off: December 29 Mon, December 30 Tue, December 31 Wed, January 2 Fri - 4-day break1 day off
January 1–4
Take off: January 2 Fri - 5-day break2 days off
November 7–11
Take off: November 9 Mon, November 10 Tue - 9-day break4 days off
November 7–15
Take off: November 9 Mon, November 10 Tue, November 12 Thu, November 13 Fri - 5-day break2 days off
November 11–15
Take off: November 12 Thu, November 13 Fri - 9-day break4 days off
November 21–29
Take off: November 23 Mon, November 24 Tue, November 25 Wed, November 27 Fri - 4-day break1 day off
November 26–29
Take off: November 27 Fri - 10-day break4 days off
December 25 – January 3
Take off: December 28 Mon, December 29 Tue, December 30 Wed, December 31 Thu
Year-at-a-glance calendar 2026
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Federal holiday Half day Suggested day off Weekend
How federal holidays work
Federal holidays are set by 5 U.S.C. 6103 and apply to federal employees; most banks, schools and many employers follow them, but private employers are not required to give the day off. Five holidays are fixed dates (New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas); the rest always fall on a Monday, except Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
Inauguration Day (January 20 after a presidential election, next in 2029) is also a holiday for federal employees in the Washington, D.C. area. To count working days between two dates with these holidays removed, use the business day calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026; 1 of them fall on a weekend and are observed on a nearby weekday.
Is July 3, 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026, so federal employees get Friday, July 3, 2026 off instead (the observed holiday).
What happens when a federal holiday falls on a weekend?
Under federal law, a holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed on the preceding Friday, and one that falls on a Sunday is observed on the following Monday. Holidays defined as a Monday or Thursday never fall on a weekend.
Are banks and the stock market closed on federal holidays?
Most banks follow the Federal Reserve schedule and close on federal holidays, but when a holiday falls on a Saturday, Federal Reserve Banks stay open the Friday before. The NYSE and Nasdaq follow their own calendar: they are open on Columbus Day and Veterans Day but closed on Good Friday.
What is the newest federal holiday?
Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) became the 11th federal holiday in 2021.