In the US, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are the only federal holidays at the end of the year, and there is no Boxing Day. In 2026 they fall on a Friday and a Friday, exactly a week apart, so only a few workdays sit in between.
Book off: Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
Every option, from 1 to 8 days of PTO
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Thu 24 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 2 | 5 | Wed 23 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Wed 23 and Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 3 | 6 | Tue 22 Dec – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Tue 22, Wed 23 and Thu 24 Dec 2026 |
| 4 | 10 | Fri 25 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 5 | 11 | Thu 24 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 6 | 12 | Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 7 | 13 | Tue 22 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
| 8 | 16 | Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026 |
United States, Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027.
If you can take more time, book 8 days off (Mon 21, Tue 22, Wed 23, Thu 24, Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 16 days off in a row (Sat 19 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027).
Getting the days approved
- Ask early. The week between Christmas and New Year is the most requested week of the year. Many teams approve it first come, first served, or on a rota.
- Check your PTO year. If your PTO resets on 1 January, any days you have left in December 2026 are the ones to use here, especially if your employer does not let you carry them over.
- Know your state's rules. There is no federal law that requires paid vacation or paid holidays (US Department of Labor). Some states, such as California, treat earned vacation as wages, so it cannot be forfeited (California Labor Commissioner).
Federal employees
Federal holidays follow the OPM calendar: when a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the Friday before, and on a Sunday, the Monday after. In 2026 both holidays fall on a Friday, so nothing moves.
Christmas 2027: a look ahead
Christmas Day and New Year's Day 2028 both fall on a Saturday, so the federal holidays are observed on Friday 24 December 2027 and on the Friday a week later:
| Days of leave | Days off in a row | Dates | Book off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Thu 23 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Thu 23 Dec 2027 |
| 2 | 5 | Wed 22 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Wed 22 and Thu 23 Dec 2027 |
| 3 | 6 | Tue 21 Dec – Sun 26 Dec 2027 | Tue 21, Wed 22 and Thu 23 Dec 2027 |
| 4 | 10 | Fri 24 Dec 2027 – Sun 2 Jan 2028 | Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027 |
| 5 | 11 | Thu 23 Dec 2027 – Sun 2 Jan 2028 | Thu 23, Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027 |
| 6 | 12 | Wed 22 Dec 2027 – Sun 2 Jan 2028 | Wed 22, Thu 23, Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027 |
| 7 | 13 | Tue 21 Dec 2027 – Sun 2 Jan 2028 | Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23, Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027 |
| 8 | 16 | Sat 18 Dec 2027 – Sun 2 Jan 2028 | Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22, Thu 23, Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027 |
United States, Christmas 2027 and New Year 2028.
Frequently asked questions
How much PTO do I need for Christmas 2026?
The best value is to book 4 days off (Mon 28, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 Dec 2026) and get 10 days off in a row.
Is the day after Christmas a federal holiday?
No. 26 December is a normal workday in the US. In 2026 it is a Saturday anyway.
Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday?
No. It is a normal working day unless your employer gives it off. In some years the President gives federal employees the day off by executive order, but that is not known in advance.
How we work it out. Every date and number here comes from our holiday data, checked against official government sources (see About). Always confirm days off with your employer.