Let’s face it — PTO is precious. In 2026, you don’t need a two-week block to enjoy meaningful travel. With a little strategic planning and a calendar in hand, you can turn short breaks into longer getaways, giving you more time to unwind, explore, and create memories. Below is your 2026 PTO hack guide — pairing key U.S. holidays with smart PTO use so you get the most out of your vacation days without burning them all at once. 🗓️ January — Start the Year with a Longer Break MLK Jr. Day — Monday, January 19 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Friday, Jan. 16 & Tuesday, Jan. 20 ➤ Turn a 1-day holiday into a 5-day weekend Perfect for shaking off winter blues and welcoming the year with an extended break. 🪩 February — Leap Into February Fun Presidents’ Day — Monday, February 16 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Friday, Feb. 13 & Tuesday, Feb. 17 ➤ Get a 5-day weekend Spring is around the corner — perfect for a refreshing escape or a quick wellness reset. ☀️ March/April — Springtime Escapes Good Friday — Friday, April 3 Note: Not a federal holiday but widely observed. 📅 Use 1 PTO day: Thursday, April 2 ➤ Enjoy a 4-day weekend Easter Monday — Monday, April 6 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Tue, April 7 & Wed, April 8 ➤ Turn it into a 5-day stretch Spring is ideal for blooms, mild weather, and exploring new experiences. 🎖️ May — The Gateway to Summer Memorial Day — Monday, May 25 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Wed, May 27 & Thu, May 28 ➤ Make it a 9-day mini-vacation when combined with the weekend A perfect time to kick off summer energy early — think extended weekends filled with relaxation and exploration. 🍃 June — Early Summer Break Juneteenth — Friday, June 19 📅 Use 1 PTO day: Thursday, June 18 ➤ Score a 4-day weekend Great for summer adventures, early sun, and warmer weather plans without using much PTO. 📆 July — Midyear Momentum Independence Day — Saturday, July 4 Celebrated on Friday, July 3 (observed) and Sunday, July 5 📅 Use 3 PTO days: Monday–Wednesday, July 6–8 ➤ Enjoy a 9-day getaway when combining both weekends One of the best opportunities all year to unroll a big summer plan while conserving PTO. 🍂 September — End-of-Summer Reset Labor Day — Monday, September 7 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Friday, Sept. 4 & Tuesday, Sept. 8 ➤ Create a 5-day weekend A perfect way to squeeze in that last long weekend before fall routines kick in. 🍁 October — Fall Flow There are no federal holidays, but with strategically placed PTO days, you can still create longer breaks: 📅 Use 4 PTO days scattered throughout the month ➤ Enjoy two separate 4–5 day breaks to catch fall foliage or cultural events Fall is ideal for local trips, seasonal experiences, and off-peak travel. 🎃 November — Holiday Gathering Time Veterans Day — Wednesday, November 11 📅 Use 2 PTO days: Mon, Nov. 9 & Tue, Nov. 10 ➤ Enjoy a 5-day break Thanksgiving — Thursday, November 26 📅 Use 1 PTO day: Friday, Nov. 27 ➤ Get a 4-day weekend End the year with family festivities and cozy moments. 🎄 December — Finish Strong Christmas Day — Friday, December 25 📅 Use 3–4 PTO days between Christmas and New Year’s ➤ Enjoy a 10-day year-end break Holiday travel peaks here, so planning early pays off — especially if you’re dreaming of a truly relaxing winter escape. 🧠 PTO Strategy Tips for 2026 ✔ Stack cleverly: Pair holidays with PTO on either side to stretch your breaks. ✔ Book early: Travel around holidays fills fast — especially spring and winter. ✔ Mix short and long: Use just 1–2 days for frequent rejuvenation, not just big trips. ✔ Seasonal planning: Use warmer weather holidays for active adventures; cooler ones for cultural or relaxed travel. ✔ Get creative: A few PTO days can unlock multiple mini-getaways throughout the year. 🗝️ Wrap-Up 2026 offers a fantastic calendar for making your vacation balance go further. With intentional PTO stacking, you can enjoy frequent breaks, extended weekends, and a balanced life of work + travel without using all your vacation days at once. Curious what your personal 2026 PTO + holiday travel plan looks like on a calendar? I’d love to help you map it out! 🗺️✈️