It’s easy to get lost in the spirit of L.A.’s holiday season, but as we hurtle toward Christmas and NYE celebrations, many of us are starting to stare down 2026.
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 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 observed by most employers. 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.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026: New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday this year, meaning we will miss a long weekend. Still, you can work your way around to get a mini vacation:
- Take Jan. 2 for 4 days off
L.A. celebrates NYE with a huge celebration at Grand Park, fireworks shows, and plenty of parties. Read our guide to NYE in L.A. here.
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
MLK Day happens on the third Monday in January, bringing us a three-day weekend to kick off the new year.
- Take Jan. 15 and 16 for 5 days off
- Take Jan. 15-16 and Jan. 20-23 for 9 days off
In Los Angeles, this holiday is celebrated with the Kingdom Day Parade, the world’s largest and longest-running life celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more in our guide to events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, Feb. 16, 2026: Presidents’ Day
Presidents’ Day (AKA, Washington’s birthday) takes place on the third Monday in February, meaning we have another three-day weekend.
- Take Feb. 12 and 13 for 5 days off
- Take Feb. 17-20 for 9 days off
Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026: César Chávez Day
Many workplaces in California observe César Chávez Day. This year, the holiday falls on Tuesday, Mar. 31. If your workplace observes César Chávez Day, consider trying the following.
- Take Mar. 30 for 4 days off
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes honors this holiday with a day of workshops, music, dance, and education.
Monday, May 25, 2026: Memorial Day
Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, creating yet another three-day weekend.
- Take May 21 and 22 for 5 days off
- Take May 26-29 for 9 days off
L.A. Fleet Week takes place over Memorial Day weekend, offering ship tours and festivities.
Friday, June 19, 2026: 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 Friday, so it would be a 3-day weekend, but you can always add a few days of PTO.
- Take June 18 for 4 days off
- Take June 18 and 22 for 5 days off
Juneteenth is celebrated with festivals and events in Long Beach, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Compton, and many more neighborhoods. Check our full guide to Juneteenth for details.
Friday, July 3, 2026: Independence Day (observed)
The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year, so its official observance will be Friday, July 3, so as to give us a three-day weekend!
- Take July 2 for 4 days off
- Take July 2 and 6 for 5 days off
L.A. celebrates the Fourth of July with a giant parade in Santa Monica and fireworks shows all over the city. Read our guide to Independence Day in L.A. here.
Monday, Sept. 7, 2026: Labor Day
Labor Day takes place on the first Monday in September, giving us another well-deserved three-day weekend.
- Take Aug. 28 and Sept. 8 for 5 days off
- Take Sept. 8-11 for 9 days off
Monday, Oct. 12, 2026: Columbus Day
Columbus Day, which many people and workplaces recognize as Indigenous Peoples Day, falls on the second Monday in October. Some workplaces observe it for a three-day weekend.
- Take Oct. 9 and 13 for 5 days off
- Take Oct. 13-16 for 9 days off
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026: Veterans Day
Veterans Day takes place on a Wednesday, which means you can create your own five-day weekend or take the whole week off for a good run of PTO.
- Take Nov. 9-10 for 5 days off
- Take Nov. 12-13 for 5 days off
- Take Nov. 9-10 and 12-13 for 9 days off
L.A. honors Veterans Day with an annual celebration at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills and a large San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade.
Thursday-Friday, Nov. 26-27, 2026: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a federal public holiday on the fourth Thursday in November (Nov. 26, 2026). Many workplaces also grant the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2026) as a day off for a 4-day weekend, and some states observe it as a civic holiday called Native American Heritage Day.
- Take Nov. 23-25 for 9 days off
Many Angelenos like to kick off Thanksgiving at the annual Turkey Trot before enjoying an at-home celebration. Read our Thanksgiving guide for more.
Friday, Dec. 25, 2026: Christmas Day
Christmas Day 2026 and New Year’s Day 2027 both land on Fridays, giving us two consecutive 3-day weekends. But you can also enjoy decent stretches of vacation time if you get creative with your days off. Here are a few possible combinations.
- Take Dec. 21-24 for 9 days off
- Take Dec. 28-31 for 10 days off
- Take Dec. 24 and 31 for 2 consecutive 4 day weekends over Christmas and New Year’s
Read our full Christmas and holiday guide for ideas about how to make the most of this time of year in L.A.