United States long weekends 2026
Every three-day weekend that U.S. federal holidays create in 2026, plus the bridge days that turn a mid-week holiday into a four- or five-day break. 8 long weekends need no leave at all; 3 more are one or two days of leave away.
All federal holidays in 2026 by weekday
| Holiday | Date | Observed | Weekday | Weekend potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1 | — | Thursday | Take Friday: 4 days |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 19 | — | Monday | Sat–Mon, 3 days |
| Presidents' Day | Feb 16 | — | Monday | Sat–Mon, 3 days |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | — | Monday | Sat–Mon, 3 days |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Jun 19 | — | Friday | Fri–Sun, 3 days |
| Independence Day | Jul 4 | Jul 3 | Friday | Fri–Sun, 3 days |
| Labor Day | Sep 7 | — | Monday | Sat–Mon, 3 days |
| Columbus Day | Oct 12 | — | Monday | Sat–Mon, 3 days |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | — | Wednesday | Take Thu+Fri or Mon+Tue: 5 days |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 26 | — | Thursday | Take Friday: 4 days |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | — | Friday | Fri–Sun, 3 days |
Long weekends by state
States add their own holidays, which can create extra long weekends. Each state page has its own planner:
Planning tips
The best value comes from holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Thursday: one day of leave buys a four-day break. A Wednesday holiday can anchor a nine-day vacation for three days of leave (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). Book early — the days around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Independence Day are the most requested leave days of the year. Remember that observed dates, not actual dates, decide when offices close.
Frequently asked questions
How many long weekends are there in the United States in 2026?
8 of the 11 federal holidays in 2026 fall on a Monday or Friday (or are observed on one), giving 8 long weekends of three days or more without taking any leave. Another 3 can be stretched into a four- or five-day break with one or two days of leave.
What is a bridge day?
A bridge day is a single day of leave taken between a holiday and a weekend — for example the Friday after a Thursday holiday — that turns a one-day holiday into a four-day break. The dates above show exactly which day to request.