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The 11 Best Days to Take Off in the US in 2026

Here’s how you can get the most out of your holiday time in the United States this year.

Portrait of Konstantin
By Konstantin Bikos

Published 1-Jan-2026

Three hikers hiking up a steep rock face under a rock arch illuminated by morning or evening sunlight, with blue sky in the background.
Create some extra free time this year to go on an adventure—like these hikers in Arches National Park in Utah.
©iStockphoto.com/RichVintage

Get Nine Days off for the Price of Four

2026 offers numerous chances to optimize your vacation or personal time off days by combining them with national holidays—see our suggestions below.

However, there’s one holiday deal we really like the look of, and that’s Veterans Day on November 11. In 2026, it falls on a Wednesday, so you can create a 5-day break by taking off either the Monday and Tuesday before or the Thursday and Friday after.

Or, you can take all of those days off and enjoy nine full free days for the price of four!

Print US calendar 2026 with holidays

The 11 Best Days to Take Off

  1. January 2: New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday. Take off the Friday after to create a 4-day weekend.
  2. January 16 or 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on a Monday. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  3. February 13 or 17: Presidents’ Day falls on a Monday. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  4. May 22 or 26: Memorial Day falls on a Monday. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  5. June 18 or 22: Juneteenth falls on a Friday. Take off the Thursday before or the Monday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
    Please note: Juneteenth is a federal holiday; in many states, it is also a state holiday. In some states, however, only federal employees get the day off.
  6. July 2 or 6: Independence Day itself falls on a Saturday, but the public holiday happens on a Friday. Take off the Thursday before or the Monday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  7. September 4 or 8: Labor Day falls on a Monday. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  8. October 9 or 13: Columbus Day falls on a Monday. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
  9. November 9–10 or November 12–13: Veterans Day falls on a Wednesday. Take off the Monday and Tuesday before or the Thursday and Friday after to create a 5-day break. Or take off all four for a 9-day break.
  10. November 27: Thanksgiving Day falls on a Thursday. Take off the Friday after to create a 4-day weekend.
  11. December 24 or 28: Christmas Day falls on a Friday. Take off the Thursday before or the Monday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
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