It’s easy to get lost in the spirit of L.A.’s holiday season, but as we blaze through Christmas and NYE celebrations, many of us are starting to stare down 2024.
Now’s a great time to look ahead at the next batch of federal and state holidays observed in California. Whether you need to reserve flights for upcoming travel, or simply want to enjoy an extravagant at-home celebration, it’s worth planning your days off around the existing public holiday calendar so as to maximize your time.
Paid time off and holiday observations vary between workplaces and states. The United States observes 11 federal holidays, which, thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, have granted us a decent amount of three day weekends. We’ve outlined each one of them below (plus California’s César Chávez Day), along with some ideas for how to maximize your off days or PTO. Be sure to check your workplace’s observed holidays before putting in requests.
1. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024: New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day falls on a Monday this year, meaning we have a three day weekend to kick off 2024.
- Take Dec. 29 and Jan. 2 for 5 days off
- Take Jan. 2-5 for 9 days off
2. Monday, Jan. 15, 2024: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
MLK Day happens on the third Monday in January, bringing us another three day weekend to kick off the new year.
- Take Jan. 12 and 16 for 5 days off
- Take off Jan. 16-19 for 9 days off
3. Monday, Feb. 19, 2024: Presidents’ Day
Presidents’ Day (Washington’s birthday) takes place on the third Monday in February, meaning we have a three day weekend.
- Take Feb. 16 and 20 for 5 days off
- Take Feb. 20-23 for 9 days off
4. Monday, Apr. 1, 2024: César Chávez Day
Many workplaces in California observe César Chávez Day. This year the holiday falls on Sunday, Mar. 31, so it would be observed the following Monday, Apr. 1.
- Take Mar. 29 and Apr. 2 for 5 days off
- Take Apr. 2-5 for 9 days off
5. Monday, May 27, 2024: Memorial Day
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, creating a three day weekend.
- Take May 24 and 28 for 5 days off
- Take May 28-31 for 9 days off
6. Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, became a federal holiday in 2021. It is not a paid holiday for California state workers, but some workplaces may observe it. This year it falls on a Wednesday, but you can get creative with your PTO.
- Take June 17-18 for 5 days off
- Take June 20-21 for 5 days off
- Take June 17-18, 20-21 for 9 days off
7. Thursday, July 4, 2024: Independence Day
The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year. Here are some ways to use your PTO:
- Take July 5 for 4 days off
- Take July 3 and 5 for 5 days off
- Take July 1-3 and 5 for 9 days off
8. Monday, Sept. 2, 2024: Labor Day
Labor Day takes place on the first Monday in September, giving us another three day weekend.
- Take Aug. 30 and Sept. 3 for 5 days off
- Take Sept. 3-6 for 9 days off
9. Monday, Oct. 14, 2024: Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous People’s Day, also known as Columbus Day, falls on the second Monday in October. Some workplaces observe it for a three day weekend.
- Take Oct. 11 and 15 for 5 days off
- Take Oct. 15-18 for 9 days off
10. Monday, Nov. 11, 2024: Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s Day takes place on a Monday this year, giving us a three day weekend.
- Take Nov. 8 and 12 for 5 days off
- Take Nov. 12-15 for 9 days off
11. Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29, 2024: Thanksgiving holidays
Thanksgiving is a federal public holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. Many workplaces also grant the day after Thanksgiving as a day off, and some states observe it as a civic holiday called Native American Heritage Day.
- Take Nov. 27 and Dec. 2 for 6 days off
- Take Nov. 25-27 for 9 days off
12. Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024: Christmas Day
Christmas Day 2024 and New Year’s Day 2025 both land on Wednesdays, meaning you can enjoy decent stretches of vacation time if you get creative with your days off. Here are a few possible combinations.
- Take Dec. 23-24, 26-27, 30-31 for 12 days off
- Take Dec. 26-27, 30-31, Jan. 2-3 for 12 days off
- Take Dec. 26-27, 30-31 for 8 days off
- Take Dec. 26-27 and Jan. 2-3 for two successive 5 day weekends