As the year draws to a close, it is time to start thinking ahead. With a bit of planning, it is possible to enjoy long weekends with just a single day of leave.
The year begins with New Year’s Day on 1 January, which falls on a Thursday. Taking Friday off turns this into a four-day weekend, offering an appealing start to the new year.
The next opportunity comes on 6 April with Easter Monday, creating a three-day weekend. The same applies to 1 May, which is already a public holiday and in 2026 falls on a Friday, creating a three-day weekend.
And that’s only the beginning because May would not be May without several days off. While Europe Day on 9 May falls on a Saturday, Ascension Day on 14 May offers another chance for a longer break. By adding the Friday, workers can once again enjoy a four-day weekend.
The month concludes with Whit Monday on 25 May, which, as the name suggests, falls on a Monday.
National Day on 23 June will fall on a Tuesday next year, making it possible to shorten the working week by taking a bridge day, or take Monday, 22 June off for a long weekend.
After that, patience is required. 15 August falls on a Saturday, while 1 November is a Sunday. The wait continues until Christmas Day on 25 December, which in 2026 falls on a Friday, there are no further public holidays or bridge days during the working week. And around Christmas next year, unlike this year, more days of leave will be needed to allow the year to come to a cosy close.
