Planning Your PTO: Maximize Your 2026 Time Off
Did you know more than half of U.S. workers don’t use all their PTO each year? 😱
That’s a whole lot of unused vacation days left sitting on the table.
If you ask us, two weeks of PTO (on average) is already too little to see the world the way you deserve — so letting any of it go to waste is tragic.
The good news? With a little strategy, you can stretch those days further by pairing them with holidays for bonus-long breaks. More time off = more time to rest, recharge, and explore.
This edition of the newsletter will walk you through how to maximize your 2026 PTO with key U.S. holidays, so you’ve always got an escape on the calendar 📆
Some are federal, some aren’t, and this isn’t the full list — but it’s enough to get you started planning now!
Winter Vacation
JANUARY THROUGH MARCH
The new year is the perfect excuse to pack your bags. January and February can be bleak, and staring at gray skies (or the inside of your cubicle) isn’t exactly a mood booster. Federal holidays are your golden ticket to trade slush puddles for ski slopes or sunshine.
📆 Holiday: New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, January 2
⚠️ Weekend Days: January 3 + 4
😭 Return to Work: Monday, January 5
📆 Holiday: Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 16, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, February 13
⚠️ Weekend Days: February 14 + 15
😭 Return to Work: Tuesday, Feb. 17
Ideas for Your Escape
→ Domestic: Cozy up slope-side in Aspen or Park City.
→ International: All-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Springtime Getaway
APRIL THROUGH JUNE
Spring is the season of fresh starts — and let’s face it, by April you’re probably ready to freshen up more than just your closet. While Easter isn’t a federal holiday, it’s a prime excuse for a quick escape. Pair it with Memorial Day and you’ve got two chances to turn “meh” weekends into “best trip ever” material.
📆 Holiday: Easter on Sunday, April 5, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, April 3 + Monday, April 6
⚠️ Weekend Days: April 4 + 5
😭 Return to Work: Tuesday, April 7
📆 Holiday: Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, May 22
⚠️ Weekend Days: May 23 + 24
😭 Return to Work: Tuesday, May 26
Ideas for Your Escape
→ Domestic: Sip your way through Sonoma’s wine country.
→ International: Opt for a wellness getaway in Costa Rica.
Quick Summer Trips
JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER
Between fireworks, parades, and that “I need a vacation from the heat” moment, July through September are begging you to pack your bags. With a little strategy, you can trade a boring BBQ weekend into something way more memorable.
📆 Holiday: Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026
👋 PTO: Monday, July 6
⚠️ Weekend Days: July 4 + 5
😭 Return to Work: Tuesday, July 7
📆 Holiday: Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, September 4
⚠️ Weekend Days: September 5 + 6
😭 Return to Work: Tuesday, September 8
Ideas for Your Escape
→ Domestic: Plan a national park adventure for a few days of hiking in nature or, if you’re on the West Coast, head to Hawaii for a quick reset.
→ International: Quick island hop to Bermuda for East Coasters.
Falling Into Holidays
OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER
Cooler temps and festive vibes make fall and winter some of the best times to plan longer breaks. And if nothing else, a getaway helps you dodge your uncle’s annual current-events rant at the holiday table. With Thanksgiving and Christmas landing on prime PTO-stretching dates, you’ve got two golden chances to swap family drama for memory-making adventures.
📆 Holiday: Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026
👋 PTO: Friday, November 27
⚠️ Weekend Days: November 28 + 29
😭 Return to Work: Monday, November 30
📆 Holidays: Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026 + New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1, 2027
👋 PTO: December 28–31
⚠️ Weekend Days: Dec 26–27 + Jan 2–3
😭 Return to Work: Monday, January 4
Ideas for Your Escape
→ Domestic: Escape the chill with a desert getaway to Arizona or a beachy reset in the Florida Keys or US Virgin Islands.
→ International: Wander Europe’s iconic Christmas markets for mulled wine, twinkling lights, and storybook vibes.
Book With An Advisor
✨ P.S. Your PTO days are too precious to waste — let’s turn them into plane tickets, not pointless meetings. Ready to map out your 2026? I’ll make sure every day off counts.
