Magic isn’t real, but this hack feels pretty damn close.
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If you’re blessed with PTO, or paid time off, then you have the flexibility to take time off from work without losing out on pay. That being said, just because you have PTO, that doesn’t mean taking a day or two for yourself is easy.
The trade-off with PTO is that you need to be selective and strategic about when you take time off. You can’t abandon colleagues with a huge workload, for example—especially if there’s a big deadline. Or you could, but you wouldn’t.
In other words, the freedom to take PTO isn’t nearly as free as it sounds.
That being said, you can optimize your days off using a 2026 PTO hack. The calendar year includes a handful of federal holidays that fall on a Friday or Monday, making a list of three-day weekends that you can strategically turn into four-day escapes using a single PTO day. It’s the perfect time to bust out your weekender bag, explore a lesser-known destination, and escape the hustle.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 PTO hack that gives you the freedom to travel more. If you plan it well, you’ll have a whopping eight four-day weekends to enjoy.
2026 PTO hack: take off these dates for four-day weekends
MLK’s Birthday
Skip out on town on a short beach vacation to the Caribbean or a quick trip to a snowy hideaway
- Holiday: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Friday, January 16, 2026
Washington’s Birthday
Get away with your boo over Valentine’s Day weekend
- Holiday: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Friday, February 13, 2026
Memorial Day
Road trip to your favorite Memorial Day spot… or invest in a little self-love staycation
- Holiday: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Friday, May 22, 2026
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Sneak away to one of the best watering holes near you—or jet-set to the Caribbean
- Holiday: Friday, June 19, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Monday, June 22, 2026
Independence Day
Take a little added time off to get to your Independence Day barbecue—and plan for traffic on this 250th anniversary
- Holiday: Friday, July 3, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Monday, July 6, 2026
Labor Day
Steal one last summer vacation—either at a lake, barbecue, or skipping the crowds in a mid-sized city
- Holiday: Monday, September 7, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Friday, September 4, 2026
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day
Plan your perfect fall escape to see foliage displays in places like Quebec and British Columbia
- Holiday: Monday, October 12, 2025
- Use PTO to take off: Friday, October 9, 2025
Christmas Day
Skip out on town after the holiday to get to your NYE destination or steal away to take a famous NYC Christmas tour
- Holiday: Friday, December 25, 2026
- Use PTO to take off: Monday, December 28, 2026
