Travel enthusiasts, rejoice! In 2025, you’ll have plenty of exciting opportunities to enjoy short — yet amazing — vacations across the United States. From January until December, there is many a long weekend to take advantage of!
Long weekends are basically vacation periods that are at least three days long, as they include one or more of the days preceding or following a public holiday. So don’t let a 3 day weekend (or more) go to waste! With so much time off, you have the opportunity to plan an amazing short vacation around the country.
To help you make the most out of 2025’s public holidays, we’ve created a downloadable cheat sheet with all the long weekends that are happening throughout the year so you can plan your short trips in advance.
A long weekend typically occurs when a federal holiday lands on a Friday or Monday, creating a natural 3-day break with the adjacent Saturday and Sunday. In some cases, you can extend the weekend even further by adding a strategic PTO day before or after mid-week holidays like Juneteenth or Christmas. These bonus days off are perfect for short trips, staycations, or simply recharging.
2025 Long Weekends In The USA By Month
2025 Long Weekends by Month
Plan your vacations with these strategic PTO opportunities
| Month | Holiday | Long Weekend Range | PTO Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | New Year’s Day (Wed, Jan 1) | Jan 1–5 | Yes (2–3 days) |
| January | MLK Jr. Day (Mon, Jan 20) | Jan 18–20 | No |
| February | Presidents Day (Mon, Feb 17) | Feb 15–17 | No |
| May | Memorial Day (Mon, May 26) | May 24–26 | No |
| June | Juneteenth (Thu, Jun 19) | Jun 19–22 | Yes (Jun 20) |
| July | Independence Day (Fri, Jul 4) | Jul 4–6 | No |
| September | Labor Day (Mon, Sep 1) | Aug 30–Sep 1 | No |
| October | Columbus Day (Mon, Oct 13) | Oct 11–13 | No |
| November | Veterans Day (Tue, Nov 11) | Nov 8–11 | Yes (Nov 10) |
| November | Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 28) | Nov 28–Dec 1 | Yes (Nov 29) |
| December | Christmas (Thu, Dec 25) | Dec 25–28 | Yes (Dec 26) |
Pro Tip: Combine PTO days with existing holidays for maximum vacation time!
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape with your loved one or a nature getaway to visit with your family, a long weekend vacation can be an excellent way to explore new places, rewind, and relax!
If you’re still deciding on the best vacation spots to go to, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best long weekend getaways to take in the USA. Read on the post for some travel inspiration on the best long weekend trips in the US, and start getting ready for your next travel.
🗓️ All 3-Day Weekends in 2025
A 3-day weekend is when a public holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, giving you a full extra day to travel or unwind without taking PTO. Here’s every one happening in 2025:
- January 18–20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Mon, Jan 20)
- February 15–17 — Presidents Day (Mon, Feb 17)
- May 24–26 — Memorial Day (Mon, May 26)
- July 4–6 — Independence Day (Fri, Jul 4)
- August 30–September 1 — Labor Day (Mon, Sep 1)
- October 11–13 — Columbus Day (Mon, Oct 13)
✅ Pro Tip: Want to stretch a 3-day weekend into 4? Look for Thursday holidays like Juneteenth or Christmas and take one day off!
💡 Need a 4-Day Break?
Want to turn a long weekend into a 4-day getaway? Here are the best opportunities in 2025 where adding just one PTO day gives you a full mini-vacation. Perfect for deeper travel or more rest.
📆 2025 4-Day Weekend Opportunities
Add a strategic day off around these holidays:
- January 1–5 — New Year’s Day (Wed) → Take Jan 2–3 off
- June 19–22 — Juneteenth (Thu) → Take Jun 20 off
- November 8–11 — Veterans Day (Tue) → Take Nov 10 off
- November 27–Dec 1 — Thanksgiving (Thu) → Take Nov 29 (Fri) off
- December 25–28 — Christmas Day (Thu) → Take Dec 26 (Fri) off
🏖️ Longest Break in 2025
Looking to take full advantage of the calendar? Thanksgiving week offers the longest natural break of the year — from Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, December 1. Just take Friday, Nov 29 off, and you’ve got five days of rest, travel, or family time without using much PTO!
Where to Spend Your Extra Day Off
Use your long weekends wisely with these curated U.S. getaways, handpicked for each season. Click below to explore CuddlyNest destination guides:
🌸 Spring Escapes
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – A laid-back beach town perfect for springtime strolls.
- Zion National Park, Utah – Hike through blooming canyons and dramatic red cliffs.
☀️ Summer Adventures
- Bar Harbor, Maine – Coastal charm and access to Acadia National Park.
- Santa Barbara, California – Sun, wine, and Mediterranean vibes on the West Coast.
🍂 Fall Retreats
- Salt Lake City, Utah – Affordable and scenic with stunning fall foliage.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico – Culture, cuisine, and desert views in autumn’s glow.
❄️ Winter Wonders
- Lake George, New York – Winter sports and cozy lakeside stays.
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Mountain escapes and festive holiday vibes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many long weekends are there in the USA in 2025?
There are at least nine federal holidays in 2025 that fall on or near a weekend and can create long weekends — even more if you’re strategic with your PTO!
Does every country observe the same long weekends?
Nope! Long weekends vary widely across countries based on local public holidays and observance rules. Want to compare?
How do I know if the coming weekend is a long weekend?
The easiest way to find out is to check the U.S. federal holiday calendar and see if a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday.
Where can I go over a long weekend in the US?
Whether you’re drawn to vibrant cities (like Austin, Boston, or Seattle), natural wonders (like the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoky Mountains), or relaxing coastal towns (like Santa Barbara or Cape Cod), the US has a long weekend destination for every type of traveller.
