Most US federal holidays are fixed to a Monday, which is good news for anyone who wants long weekends and less good news for anyone who wants one long trip. With a few days of PTO in the right places, 2027 still gives you far more time off than the same days used at random.
Your 2027 at a glance
This is where the planner puts 10 days of PTO across the year, using the 11 federal holidays.
United States)One page for each break, in date order. Hover or tap a page for the days to book.
All 10 breaks in words
Fri 1 Jan – Mon 4 Jan 2027
New Year's Day
Book 1 day off: Mon 4 Jan 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 1 Jan 2027 to Mon 4 Jan 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 15 Jan – Mon 18 Jan 2027
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 15 Jan 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 15 Jan 2027 to Mon 18 Jan 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 12 Feb – Mon 15 Feb 2027
Presidents Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 12 Feb 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 12 Feb 2027 to Mon 15 Feb 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 28 May – Mon 31 May 2027
Memorial Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 28 May 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 28 May 2027 to Mon 31 May 2027.
4× your leave
Thu 17 Jun – Sun 20 Jun 2027
Juneteenth
Book 1 day off: Thu 17 Jun 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Thu 17 Jun 2027 to Sun 20 Jun 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 2 Jul – Mon 5 Jul 2027
Independence Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 2 Jul 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 2 Jul 2027 to Mon 5 Jul 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 3 Sep – Mon 6 Sep 2027
Labor Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 3 Sep 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 3 Sep 2027 to Mon 6 Sep 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 8 Oct – Mon 11 Oct 2027
Columbus Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 8 Oct 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 8 Oct 2027 to Mon 11 Oct 2027.
4× your leave
Thu 11 Nov – Sun 14 Nov 2027
Veterans Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 12 Nov 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Thu 11 Nov 2027 to Sun 14 Nov 2027.
4× your leave
Thu 25 Nov – Sun 28 Nov 2027
Thanksgiving Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 26 Nov 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Thu 25 Nov 2027 to Sun 28 Nov 2027.
4× your leave
The best single days to request
Fri 1 Jan – Mon 4 Jan 2027
New Year's Day
Book 1 day off: Mon 4 Jan 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 1 Jan 2027 to Mon 4 Jan 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 15 Jan – Mon 18 Jan 2027
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 15 Jan 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 15 Jan 2027 to Mon 18 Jan 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 12 Feb – Mon 15 Feb 2027
Presidents Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 12 Feb 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 12 Feb 2027 to Mon 15 Feb 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 28 May – Mon 31 May 2027
Memorial Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 28 May 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 28 May 2027 to Mon 31 May 2027.
4× your leave
Thu 17 Jun – Sun 20 Jun 2027
Juneteenth
Book 1 day off: Thu 17 Jun 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Thu 17 Jun 2027 to Sun 20 Jun 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 2 Jul – Mon 5 Jul 2027
Independence Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 2 Jul 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 2 Jul 2027 to Mon 5 Jul 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 3 Sep – Mon 6 Sep 2027
Labor Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 3 Sep 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 3 Sep 2027 to Mon 6 Sep 2027.
4× your leave
Fri 8 Oct – Mon 11 Oct 2027
Columbus Day
Book 1 day off: Fri 8 Oct 2027.
You get 4 days off in a row, from Fri 8 Oct 2027 to Mon 11 Oct 2027.
4× your leave
United States, 2027: the best-value day or days for each holiday. Hover or tap a day for the details.
Because most federal holidays are Mondays, the best single day is nearly always the Friday before. Juneteenth is the exception in 2027: it is observed on a Friday, so the Thursday is the day to book.
Thanksgiving 2027
Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November. Many employers already give the Friday after it off. If yours does not, it is the most requested PTO day of the autumn, so ask early. For a full week:
Book off: Mon 22, Tue 23, Wed 24 and Fri 26 Nov 2027.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
The 4th of July week
With the holiday observed on Monday 5 July, a few days of PTO on the rest of that week give you a summer break:
Book off: Tue 6, Wed 7, Thu 8 and Fri 9 Jul 2027.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
What US law says about PTO
There is no federal requirement to give paid vacation. The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations or holidays; these are a matter of agreement between you and your employer (US Department of Labor).
- Federal holidays apply to federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management publishes them, including the rule that a holiday on a Sunday is observed on the Monday and one on a Saturday on the Friday before (OPM federal holidays). Private employers choose which ones they give.
- "Use it or lose it" depends on your state. In California, for example, earned vacation counts as wages, so it cannot be taken away when you leave (California Labor Commissioner). Other states let employers set forfeiture rules.
- Unlimited PTO still needs approval, so the days below are also the ones to request first.
Christmas 2027
Christmas Day 2027 is a Saturday, so the federal holiday is observed on Friday 24 December 2027, and New Year's Day 2028, also a Saturday, is observed on the Friday a week later. That leaves only a few workdays in between:
Book off: Mon 27, Tue 28, Wed 29 and Thu 30 Dec 2027.
Bank holidayBook offWeekend
For this Christmas, see our Christmas 2026 guide for the US.
Frequently asked questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2027?
There are 11 federal holidays, from New Year's Day to Christmas Day. In 2027, four of them fall on a weekend and are observed on a weekday instead: Juneteenth (observed Friday 18 June 2027), Independence Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day 2028, which is observed on the Friday before.
Does my employer have to give me federal holidays off?
No. Private employers decide which holidays they give and whether they are paid. Many give fewer than 11, which is why the planner lets you start from the federal list and adjust.
What is the best time to take PTO in 2027?
The Friday before each Monday holiday is the most efficient single day. For a longer trip, Thanksgiving week and the week between Christmas and New Year 2028 give the most days off for the PTO you spend.
Plan your own 2027
Open the US plannerBest days to take off in 2027 (US)
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.