2026 has barely started and it’s already turning out to be a GREAT year, especially for those who enjoy planning vacations around holidays!
2026 is about to be your Roman Empire because the year is stacked with perfectly placed holidays that magically turn into four three-day weekends, plus a few extra fun dates!
Make sure you get that calendar and mark these dates down so you can know when to take your PTO days to maximize your time off without having to use all of your paid time off! (You can thank me later.)
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Holiday lineup that makes 2026 a certified PTO saver: Valentine’s Day
Falls on Saturday, February 14, 2026 which means you better ask your partner to start making reservations NOW before your fave restaurant gets booked! Juneteenth
Falls on Friday, June 19, 2026, creating a June 19–21 long weekend for those who work at a business that celebrates Juneteenth. Fourth of July
July 4 lands on a Saturday, but the federal holiday is observed on Friday, July 3, 2026, giving us July 3–5. Halloween
Falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026 which means kids won’t have to worry about school the next day! Weekend costumes = elite behavior!! Christmas Day
Hits on Friday, December 25, 2026, serving up a cozy December 25–27 weekend. Matching pajamas are basically mandatory. New Year’s Day 2027
While technically next year, Friday, January 1, 2027, extends the fun into a January 1–3 weekend. The holiday hangover gets a recovery day. Bless.
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And because 2026 is extra, here are some honorable mentions:
• Galentine’s Day: Friday, February 13, 2026
• Cinco de Mayo: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Did somebody say Taco Tuesday?!)
• Friday the 13th: February, March, and November
Meet The El Paso Girls Who Took Over the 2026 “I Voted” Sticker Contest
Three talented El Paso students swept the 2025 Sticker Design Contest, taking first, second, and third place with designs that set a new bar for creativity.
Gallery Credit: Iris Lopez
LOOK: An Inside Look at La Nube Children’s Museum
Gallery Credit: Iris Lopez