Ask for These Days Off to Maximize Your Vacation Time in 2025

We’d all like to relax more and work less, whether you only have two weeks of paid vacation or don’t have the flexibility or support to actually use an unlimited policy. If you’re not counting on long trips next year, you might want to strategically plan the holidays for a series of luxurious long weekends. Here’s how to turn 12 days of vacation into maximum vacation time in 2025.

2025 federal holidays that will make for long weekends

In 2025, there will be 11 recognized federal holidays that can easily be turned into long weekends—in some cases, full weeks—with just one or two vacation days. While we noted that many Fridays can be taken off when the following Monday is a holiday, you might consider using Tuesday instead if everyone you work with is likely to leave or work less on Friday (allowing you to potentially leave early without sacrificing your vacation).

  • Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day): Departure January 2–3 for a five-day weekend. If you also have December 31st off, take Monday, December 30th for a full week off.

  • Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day): Takeoff on Friday, January 17.

  • Monday, February 17 (President’s Day): Take off on Friday, February 14.

  • Monday, May 26 (Remembrance Day): Takeoff Friday, May 23.

  • Thursday 19 June (National Independence Day 11 June): Take off on Friday 20 June.

  • Friday, July 4 (Independence Day): Takeoff Thursday, July 3.

  • Monday, September 1 (Labor Day): Departure on Friday, August 29.

  • Monday, October 13 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day): starts on Friday, October 10.

  • Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day): Takeoff Monday, November 10.

  • Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving): Holiday on Friday, November 28. If you already have a day off, request Wednesday, November 26th to get a five-day weekend.

  • Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day): Starts on Friday 26 December. If you also have December 24th off, you get a five-day weekend. Or take Dec. 22-24 and Dec. 26 off for nine days off with just four days off from vacation.

Note that you’re likely not the only person in your workplace who wants to take time off over the holidays, so be sure to request PTO as early as possible to increase your chances of getting it approved.

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