A long weekend is a perfect chance to relax and recharge, and with 2025 just around the corner, there are numerous opportunities for Americans to plan a quick escape.

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, six federal holidays in the coming year fall on a Monday, and the Fourth of July is on a Friday. Not all employees have every holiday off, but schools nationwide typically observe these days.

Since Americans tend to have fewer vacation days than most countries, leveraging these long weekends can provide vital relief from the daily routine. “With vacation deprivation – the perception of insufficient time off – reaching an 11-year peak in the U.S., it’s apparent that many working adults would benefit from more effective time-off strategies,” stated Melanie Fish, head of public relations at Expedia Group brands, in an email to YSL News.

“The answer? Wisely combining federal holidays with some PTO days to create extended breaks throughout the year.”

Below are the federal holidays in 2025 and tips for finding the best travel bargains.

What are the three-day weekends in 2025?

• Monday, Jan. 20: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
• Monday, Feb. 17: Washington’s Birthday, also known as Presidents Day
• Monday, May 26: Memorial Day
• Friday, July 4: Fourth of July
• Monday, Sept. 1: Labor Day
• Monday, Oct. 13: Columbus Day, also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day

What other federal holidays are there in 2025?

When holidays fall on weekends, many employers offer the preceding Friday or the following Monday off. The holidays listed next are on weekdays next year:

• Wednesday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
• Thursday, June 19: Juneteenth
• Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving
• Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas

How to create longer vacations from federal holidays

Sometimes a three-day weekend isn’t quite enough, but by adding some vacation days, you can turn them into longer trips.

“With the potential for 55 vacation days in 2025, wisely pairing office and school breaks with PTO can lead to longer vacations throughout the year, ensuring you utilize your time off,” Fish noted.

Adding PTO to three-day weekends can transform them into mini-vacations, such as taking either the Thursday before or Monday after the Fourth of July weekend.

Moreover, since Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, and Christmas fall on Thursdays, you can turn these holidays into the grand getaway you’ve been dreaming of. For example, taking three PTO days around Thanksgiving can extend the holiday into a nine-day respite.

How to convert 16 PTO days into 55 vacation days

▶ New Year’s Day (Wednesday, Jan. 1)

• Request PTO for Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3
• Days Off Together: 5 days (Jan. 1-5)

▶ Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (Monday, Jan. 20)

• Request PTO for Friday, Jan. 17
• Days Off Together: 4 days (Jan. 17–20)

▶ Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 17)

• Request PTO for Friday, Feb. 14
• Days Off Together: 4 days (Feb. 14–17)

▶ Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)

• Request PTO for Friday, May 23
• Days Off Together: 4 days (May 23–26)

▶ Juneteenth National Independence Day (Thursday, June 19)

• Request PTO for Friday, June 20
• Days Off Together: 4 days (June 19–22)

▶ Independence Day (Friday, July 4)

• Request PTO for Monday, July 7
• Days Off Together: 4 days (July 4-7)

▶ Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1)

• Request PTO for Friday, Aug. 29
• Days Off Together: 4 days (Aug. 29–Sept. 1)

▶ Indigenous Peoples Day (Monday, Oct. 13)

• Request PTO for Friday, Oct. 10
• Days Off Together: 4 days (Oct. 10–13)

▶ Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11)

• Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 10
• Days Off Together: 4 days (Nov. 8–11)

▶ Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27)

• Request PTO for Monday, Nov. 24; Tuesday, Nov. 25; Wednesday, Nov. 26; and Friday, Nov. 28 (unless you already have that Friday off)
• Days Off Together: 9 days (Nov. 22–30)

▶ Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25)

• Request PTO for Monday, Dec. 22; Tuesday, Dec. 23; Wednesday, Dec. 24 (unless you get Christmas Eve off); and Friday, Dec. 26
• Days Off Together: 9 days (Dec. 20–28)

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How to find affordable travel deals during the holidays

Holiday travel often comes with elevated prices, but there are strategies to secure lower fares. “Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations is essential for budget-friendly trips during busy holiday periods,” noted Fish. “Even minor adjustments to travel plans can lead to significant savings and less congestion.”

Consider flying on a weekday or the holiday itself to potentially save on ticket costs. For instance, departing the Thursday before Presidents Day rather than that Saturday could save travelers about 20% on a roundtrip flight from Atlanta to Austin, according to Expedia.

Planning trips well in advance can also help you snag better deals, as highlighted in Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, where domestic travelers are shown to save significantly.

You can save up to 24% on domestic flights by booking 28 days in advance, as opposed to waiting until the last minute. For international travel, booking approximately 60 days earlier can lead to an average savings of 10%.

When it comes to finding affordable vacation rentals, Vrbo recommends that you “stick to the principle of reserving two months prior to major holidays to secure the best options and prices,” according to Fish. Exceptions include the Fourth of July, as its high demand requires earlier bookings for reasonable rates.

Some holidays see more travelers than others. For instance, Christmas is usually busier than Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or Presidents Day. According to Expedia’s Holiday Travel Outlook, hotel rates in January and February tend to be about 10% lower on average than during the summer months. Similarly, flight costs in the early months of the year are generally 15% cheaper than around Christmas.

October is typically when vacation rental prices drop most significantly, based on Vrbo’s data. “It’s an ideal time during the shoulder season, where travelers can find better rates while still enjoying pleasant weather in many areas,” Fish stated. “If you have Indigenous Peoples Day off, this is a perfect opportunity for a getaway.”