A long weekend offers the opportunity to relax and refresh, and 2025 offers plenty of opportunities for Americans to get away from it all.
Next year, six federal holidays will fall on a Monday and the Fourth of July will fall on a Friday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Not all employees get every holiday off, but schools across the country are usually closed.
With Americans receiving the fewest vacation days worldwide, taking advantage of these built-in long weekends can provide some much-needed solace from the daily grind. “With the vacation shortage – defined as the feeling of not having enough free time – reaching an 11-year high in the US, it’s clear that working adults can benefit from smarter leisure strategies,” said Melanie Fish, head of brand publishing the Expedia Group. relationships, said in an email to USA TODAY.
“The solution? Smartly combine federal holidays with a few PTO days so you can create longer breaks throughout the year.”
Here are all the federal holidays in 2025, along with how to get the best travel deals.
Do travel hacks really exist? Here’s the truth about getting better deals and airplane seats.
What are the three-day weekends in 2025?
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Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
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Monday, February 17: Washington’s Birthday, also known as Presidents Day
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Monday May 26: Memorial Day
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Friday, July 4: July 4
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Monday, September 1: Labor Day
What are the other federal holidays in 2025?
When holidays occur on a weekend, most employers give their employees the preceding Friday or the following Monday off. The following holidays will fall on weekdays next year:
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Wednesday January 1: New Year
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Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth
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Thursday, November 27: Thanksgiving
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Thursday December 25: Christmas
How to turn federal holidays into longer vacations
Sometimes a three-day weekend isn’t enough, but you can add some of your vacation days to score an even longer trip.
“With up to 55 vacation days on the table in 2025, strategically combining office and school closures with PTO days can allow for longer vacations throughout the year while ensuring you actually use your time off,” Fish said.
By adding a day of PTO to the three-day weekends, they can be extended to longer holidays, such as the Thursday before or the Monday after the 4th of July weekend.
Plus, since Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, and Christmas fall on Thursdays, you can make these holidays the big holiday you’ve always wanted to make. Taking three days off around Thanksgiving can turn into a nine-day trip.
How to turn 16 days of PTO into 55 days of vacation
▶ For New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1)
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Request PTO for Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3
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Consecutive days off: 5 days (January 1-5)
▶ On the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (Monday January 20)
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Request PTO by Friday, January 17
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (January 17-20)
▶ For Presidents Day (Monday, February 17)
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Request PTO by Friday, February 14
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (February 14-17)
▶ For Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)
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Request PTO before Friday, May 23
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (May 23-26)
▶ For June’s National Independence Day (Thursday, June 19)
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Request PTO by Friday, June 20
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (June 19-22)
▶ For Independence Day (Friday, July 4)
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Request PTO by Monday, July 7
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (4-7 July)
▶ For Labor Day (Monday, September 1)
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Request PTO by Friday, August 29
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (August 29 – September 1)
▶ For Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 13)
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Request PTO by Friday, October 10
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (October 10-13)
▶ For Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 11)
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Request PTO by Monday, November 10
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Consecutive days off: 4 days (8-11 November)
▶ For Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 27)
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Request PTO by Monday, November 24; Tuesday November 25, Wednesday November 26 and Friday November 28 (unless you already have Friday off)
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Consecutive days off: 9 days (November 22-30)
▶ Before Christmas Day (Thursday December 25)
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Request PTO by Monday, December 22; Tuesday, December 23; Wednesday, December 24 (unless you have Christmas Eve free) and Friday, December 26
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Consecutive days off: 9 days (December 20-28)
The story continues below.
This is how you score cheap travel deals for the holidays
Vacations are notorious for having high travel prices, but there are a few ways to score cheaper deals. “Flexibility with travel dates and destinations is the key to wallet-friendly vacations during busy holiday weekends,” says Fish. “Even a small change in travel dates can lead to significant value and reduced crowds.”
Consider flying on a weekday or during the holiday itself to potentially save on airfare. According to Expedia, departing on the Thursday before Presidents Day instead of the Saturday can save travelers up to 20% on a round-trip flight from Atlanta to Austin.
Planning your trip in advance can also help you secure better deals. Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report shows that domestic travelers save up to 24% on domestic airfare if they book 28 days before departure instead of at the last minute. For international flights, booking about 60 days out saves an average of 10%.
According to HomeAway, the same goes for scoring cheap accommodations. “The golden rule when it comes to vacation rentals is to book two months in advance of major vacations to get the best selection and deals available,” says Fish. (The exception to this is the 4th of July, which is so popular that you have to book months in advance to get a good price.)
Some holidays are also more popular for travel than others. Think of Christmas compared to Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. and Presidents Day. Expedia’s Holiday Travel Outlook shows that hotel prices in January and February are on average 10% cheaper than in summer. Also, flight prices during these first two months of the year are 15% cheaper compared to the time around Christmas.
According to HomeAway, average nightly rates for vacation rentals are at their highest in October. “It’s an ideal spot during the shoulder season, when travelers can find lower fares and still enjoy warmer weather in many places,” Fish said. “If Indigenous Peoples Day is a free holiday for you, now is a good time to plan a trip.”
Contributing: Brandi D. Addison
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which Days to Take PTO to Extend Your Vacation Time to 55 Days
