We can’t believe it either, but we’re almost about to say goodbye to 2025, and a warm welcome to 2026. Instead of (over)thinking about the passing of time, or if you actually stuck to those resolutions, let’s look at the bright side! Below you’ll find the complete list of public holidays, long weekends, and a coupe of ideas to maximize your time off. Plan your next city hop, nature escape, trip to Europe, or whatever else makes your heart happy.
Long weekends in 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan 17 – 19 (Saturday – Monday)
- Presidents’ Day: Feb 14 – 16 (Saturday – Monday)
- Memorial Day: May 23 – 25 (Saturday – Monday)
- Juneteenth: June 19 – 21 (Friday – Sunday)
- Independence Day: July 3 – 5 (Friday – Sunday) Observed
- Labor Day: Sept 5 – 7 (Saturday – Monday)
- Native American Day: Sept 25 – 27 (Friday – Sunday) Judicial/Court employees only
- Thanksgiving: Nov 26 – 29 (Thursday – Sunday) For those with Friday off
- Christmas: Dec 25 – 27 (Friday – Sunday)
How to maximize your PTO
- Take Jan. 2 for 4 days off
- Take Jan. 15 and 16 for 5 days off
- Take Jan. 15-16 and Jan. 20-23 for 9 days off
- Take Feb. 12 and 13 for 5 days off
- Take Feb. 17-20 for 9 days off
- Take Mar. 30 for 4 days off
- Take May 21 and 22 for 5 days off
- Take May 26-29 for 9 days off
- Take June 18 for 4 days off
- Take June 18 and 22 for 5 days off
- Take July 2 for 4 days off
- Take July 2 and 6 for 5 days off
- Take Aug. 28 and Sept. 8 for 5 days off
- Take Sept. 8-11 for 9 days off
- Take Oct. 9 and 13 for 5 days off
- Take Oct. 13-16 for 9 days off
- Take Nov. 9-10 for 5 days off
- Take Nov. 12-13 for 5 days off
- Take Nov. 9-10 and 12-13 for 9 days off
- Take Nov. 23-25 for 9 days off
- Take Dec. 21-24 for 9 days off
- Take Dec. 28-31 for 10 days off
Full list of 2026 public holidays
- Thursday, Jan 1 – New Year’s Day
- Monday, Jan 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Thursday, Feb 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday (CA Courts & Some Schools)
- Monday, Feb 16 – Presidents’ Day
- Tuesday, Mar 31 – Cesar Chavez Day (CA State Holiday)
- Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19 – Juneteenth
- Friday, July 3 – Independence Day (Observed)
- Monday, Sept 7 – Labor Day
- Friday, Sept 25 – Native American Day (CA Courts & Judicial)
- Monday, Oct 12 – Columbus / Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Federal Only)
- Wednesday, Nov 11 – Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov 26 – Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, Nov 27 – Day After Thanksgiving (CA State Holiday)
- Friday, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
Good to know
- Independence Day (July 4): Because July 4th falls on a Saturday in 2026, the observed holiday (closed offices/banks) will be Friday, July 3rd.
- Cesar Chavez Day (March 31): This California-specific state holiday will have state offices, courts, and many schools closed. Federal offices (like the Post Office) remain open.
- Native American Day (Sept 25): It’s a holiday for the Judicial Branch (courts) and some schools, but not all businesses observe it.
- Columbus Day (Oct 12): This is a federal holiday but not a California State holiday. Banks and the Post Office will be closed, but California state offices and schools are typically open.
- Day After Thanksgiving (Nov 27): While not a federal holiday, California state employees and most schools get this day off, creating a guaranteed 4-day weekend.