Maximize your PTO

2025 federal holidays that make long weekends

There are 11 recognized federal holidays in 2025 that can easily be converted into long weekends—in some cases, full weeks—with just one or two days of PTO. While I’ve noted a lot of Fridays to take PTO (when the following Monday is a holiday), you may consider taking Tuesday instead if there are better travel deals

• Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year's Day): Take off Jan. 2–3 for a five-day weekend. If you also have Dec. 31 off, take Monday, Dec. 30 for a full week of vacation.

• Monday, Jan. 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day): Take off Friday, Jan. 17

• Monday, Feb. 17 (President's Day): Take off Friday, Feb. 14

• Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): Take off Friday, May 23

• Thursday, June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day): Take off Friday, June 20

• Friday, July 4 (Independence Day): Take off Thursday, July 3

• Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day): Take off Friday, Aug. 29

• Monday, Oct. 13 (Indigenous People's Day): Take off Friday, Oct. 10

• Tuesday, Nov. 11 (Veteran's Day): Take off Monday, Nov. 10

• Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day): Take off Friday, Nov. 28. If you already have this day off, request Wednesday, Nov. 26 to get a five day weekend.

• Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Take off Friday, Dec. 26. If you have Dec. 24 off as well, you get a five-day weekend. Or take off Dec. 22–24 and Dec. 26 to get a nine-day vacation with only four days of PTO.