With Choice Hotels, not only can you earn points and find a great deal on an everyday hotel stay, we’ve also got a few time-off hacks to help you get the most out of your stay. Follow our maximizer guide and see how you can turn one vacation day into many using your company’s holiday closure schedule. Whether you’ve banked a bunch of days, or even just a few, we’ll show you how to maximize your vacation, so your hard-earned PTO is time well spent.
And if you need a little support in submitting your vacation days (and maybe some encouragement for your boss), you can use our Time Off Toolbox to build your own personalized time-off request! Don’t accrue PTO? You can still maximize your vacation without paid time off with more helpful, budget-friendly travel tips.
January – February
Whether you seek a warm holiday spot or a snowy wonderland vacation, late-winter travel usually means fewer crowds where budget-friendly fun comes easy!
The new year is here, and that means it’s time to plan for the vacation time you’ve carried over from last year. Discover budget-friendly destinations during an extended MLK Jr. Day holiday or take a long weekend road trip during the Presidents Day holiday weekend. There’s endless fun to be had when you maximize your vacation in late winter.
Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday
When: Monday, 01/20/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
This mid-winter holiday means more opportunities for time off (and to make easing into the new year a little, well, easier). Take the preceding Friday off for a four-day weekend, or the following Tuesday for a much shorter work week. Either way, you’ll maximize your time off by turning just one vacation day into four!
Holiday: Presidents Day
When: Monday, 02/17/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Presidents Day (also known as Washington’s Birthday) kicks off the first shoulder season of the year, and that usually means you can find great deals on an extended weekend holiday. With just one vacation day on the Friday before (or Tuesday after), you can maximize your vacation, shorten your work weeks, and enjoy a little extra time off early in the year. Some state governments and private companies have opted to swap this day for Juneteenth (and some might break for both).
Looking for that extra time off in 2025? With a little smart planning, you can stretch around 20 days annual leave into over 50 days off to maximise your holidays and some well-deserved downtime. To get you on your way, we’ve put together all the public holidays across both Australia and the states and territories for an extended stay in the destination of your choice - with some suggested getaways added for good measure.
2025 public holidays in Australia
Australia has around nine public holidays around the country each year - here’s all the major national public holidays in 2025, with a breakdown of how to hack your annual leave and get the maximum number of days off for each.
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday 1 January
- Australia Day: Sunday 26 January (Monday 27 January is the public holiday in lieu)
- Good Friday: Friday 18 April Easter Sunday: Sunday 20 April
- Easter Monday: Monday 21 April
- ANZAC Day: Friday 25 April
- King’s Birthday: Monday 9 June (except for Western Australia and Queensland)
- Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December
- Boxing Day: Friday 26 December
How to maximise annual leave
New Year’s Day holiday break
March – April
Springtime is prime time for a pre-summer break from the stress of life and work—and a great time to use your hard-earned PTO.
While there aren’t any federally-recognized holidays in the early spring, there’s still good reason to use your vacation days—especially if you didn’t take a break in the winter. If you have school-aged children, Spring Break offers the perfect excuse to take a trip. The exact dates, however, vary by school district and can depend on when Easter falls. Some schools may also break separately for Easter (this year on April 20th).
May – June
Late spring into early summer is when things really start to heat up and the potential for maximizing your vacation is high.
While it’s technically still springtime, May and June mark the end of school, the beginning of Summer Break, the arrival of warmer weather, and the kick-off to the most popular stretch of vacation time in the USA. You’ll want to book early and save on the hassle of last-minute travel woes. You’ll also find two potential opportunities to maximize your vacations days! The arrival of warmer weather, and the kick-off to the most popular stretch of vacation time in the USA. You’ll want to book early and save on the hassle of last-minute travel woes. You’ll also find two potential opportunities to maximize your vacations days!
Holiday: Memorial Day
When: Monday, 05/26/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Memorial Day was designated a federal holiday in 1971 but has been celebrated in one form or another since 1868. Now, the last Monday in May offers a three-day weekend in what is often referred to as the “un-official” start to summer. By taking just one vacation day, either the Friday before or the Tuesday after, you can extend your start-of-summer celebrations for more time-off fun!
Holiday: Juneteenth
When: Thursday, 06/19/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day, is the newest federal holiday. Celebrated on the 19th of June, it commemorates the ending of slavery in the USA (though some states and private companies haven’t yet adopted this day as an official closing day). This year, it falls on a Thursday. Whether your company closes on the day of, or the following Friday, you’ll only need to use one vacation day for a four-day weekend.
July – August
There’s no better time to maximize your vacation than the summertime. Give yourself a much-deserved break without breaking the (PTO) bank!
According to most travel data, Americans are most likely to take a vacation when summer is in full swing—particularly in July. With many people planning trips around school breaks and holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day, getting the most out of your trip doesn’t just mean booking early and planning ahead. You also have an opportunity to maximize your vacation time!
Holiday: Independence Day
When: Friday, 07/04/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
The Fourth of July marks the historic day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the nation. The time around it also marks one of the busiest travel times of the year. Whether you join in the celebrations in a new city, take a long-overdue road trip for some on-the-road adventure, or settle on a staycation, you can use the extra day beforehand to prepare (and party early). Or, keep the fun going a little longer with vacation day the following Monday. Either way, you can maximize your time off and turn one vacation day into four during the nation’s biggest summer bash.
September – October
Summer is ending and autumn approaches—the start of the second shoulder season offers some fantastic opportunities to maximize your vacation days!
The end of summer is arguably the best time of the year to travel—both domestically and internationally, as both hemispheres enjoy mostly mild and pleasantly warm weather. You’ll also see smaller crowds (the kids are back in school), more budget-friendly deals (most hotels see fewer travelers), and two big opportunities to maximize your vacation days! Plus, nothing can beat the breathtaking beauty of America in the fall.
Holiday: Labor Day
When: Monday, 09/01/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Established in New York City by the Central labor Union way back in 1882 to advocate for shorter work hours, Labor Day is a celebration of you: the American worker. So, what better time is there to take a well-earned vacation? Take yours on the Friday before for an extended weekend, or on the Tuesday after to shorten the following work week. However you decide to celebrate your hard work, you’ll only need one vacation day to do it right!
Holiday: Columbus Day
When: Monday, 10/13/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Columbus Day was made a national holiday in 1892 but was intended to be just a one-time celebration. It wasn’t until 1937 that it became an annual tradition. Some state governments and private companies have opted to swap this day for Juneteenth (and some might break for both). But if you do get to enjoy the holiday time off, the second Monday in October offers another opportunity to maximize your vacation with just one day of PTO on Friday or Tuesday.
November – December
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—and for a reason. From the colorful fall leaves to the white sparkle of snow, maximizing your vacation just adds to the magic of the season.
As the year closes, you’ll enjoy three opportunities to maximize your vacation time. Whether you travel to visit family on winter break, wish to experience the Thanksgiving holiday in a new town, or have your eyes set on a magical Christmas vacation in the big city, November and December is a truly popular time to travel. This season sees some of the busiest travel days of the year, so book early to ensure your vacation maximization goes off without a hitch.
Holiday: Veterans Day
When: Tuesday 11/11/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4 Days
Established as Armistice Day in 1919, what is now known as Veterans Day commemorates the WWI armistice signed on November 11, 1918, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Now, this federal holiday is often celebrated with time off (though most private companies don’t close). If you’re lucky enough to enjoy this day as a holiday, why not maximize your PTO by taking the Monday preceding for a four-day weekend!
Holiday: Thanksgiving Day
When: Thursday, 11/27/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4-5 Days
Some companies close for both Thanksgiving Day and the day after, giving employees a four-day weekend without needing to request extra time off. If you don’t get the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday, it’s the perfect opportunity to maximize your vacation days to ensure you enjoy a full four-day weekend. Or, if you do get the day after as a holiday, why not take it a step further by requesting PTO on the Wednesday before to turn one vacation day into five.
Holiday: Christmas Day
When: Thursday, 12/25/25
Vacation: 1 Day
Maximized: 4-5 Days
Since Christmas Day falls on a Thursday this year, some might be afforded a unique opportunity to maximize PTO days by taking just one day off. Just like the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a full four-day weekend. And if your company does close for both days, you can use that one vacation day on the Friday after and enjoy five days off for holiday fun!
More to Explore
A great way to recover from the festive season. Image from: Tourism Australia
- Public Holiday: Wednesday 1 January
- Suggested Leave: Take 2 days off (Thursday 2 January and Friday 3 January)
- Break Period: 30 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
- Total Days Off: 7 days (with 2 days of annual leave)
New Year’s Day falls in the middle of the week, so make the most of this by booking leave for the two days after New Year's. This turns the one-day public holiday into a seven-day break if you include the previous weekend (28-29 December 2024) and the weekend after New Year’s Day (4-5 January 2025). A great way to recover from the festive season - or kick start the year with a quick getaway.
Australia Day long weekend
Get ready for an extended BBQ and an extra dip in the ocean. Image from: Tourism Australia
- Public Holiday: Monday 27 January (in lieu of Sunday 26 January)
- Suggested Leave: Monday 27 January (in lieu of Sunday 26 January)
- Break Period: 25 January to 2 February
- Total Days Off: 9 days (with 4 days of annual leave)
Get ready for an extended BBQ and an extra dip in the ocean. Australia Day in 2025 falls on a Sunday, meaning you’ll have Monday off as the public holiday. By booking the remaining four days of that week off, you can extend this into a nine-day break. Perfect for a summer holiday while the weather is still warm.
Easter break
In 2025 the Easter Bunny gives us one of the best opportunities for a long break.
- Public Holiday: Friday 18 April (Good Friday) and Monday 21 April (Easter Monday)
- Suggested Leave: Take 3 days off (Tuesday 22 April to Thursday 24 April)
- Break Period: 18 - 27 April
- Total Days Off: 10 days (with 3 days of annual leave)
In 2025 the Easter Bunny gives us one of the best opportunities for a long break. By taking just four days off after Easter Monday, you’ll get a irresistable 10 day holiday, from Good Friday (18 April) to Sunday 27 April. This extended break is ideal for discovering a new destination in Australia or enjoying that getaway you’ve been longing for.
ANZAC Day
- Public Holiday: Friday 25 April
- Suggested Leave: No additional leave required
- Break Period: 25 - 27 April
- Total Days Off: 3 days (no annual leave required)
ANZAC Day falls on a Friday in 2025, giving you a simple three day weekend without the need for additional leave. This can be a short recharge period. Perfect for a local getaway.
King’s Birthday
- Public Holiday: Monday 9 June (for most states and territories)
- Suggested Leave: Take 4 days off (Tuesday 10 June to Friday 13 June)
- Break Period: 7 - 15 June
- Total Days Off: 9 days (with 4 days of annual leave)
With the King’s Birthday holiday landing on a Monday, you can easily turn this into a nine day winter escape by taking the remaining week off. Plan a mid-year break to escape the winter chill or embrace it with a trip to the snowfields, this is a prime time for a getaway.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2025
Christmas and New Year’s holidays are always prime time for a long break.
- Public Holiday: Thursday 25 December (Christmas) and Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
- Suggested Leave: Take 3 days off (Monday 29 December to Wednesday 31 December)
- Break Period: 25 December 2025 to 4 January 4 2026
- Total Days Off: 11 days (with 3 days of annual leave)
Christmas and New Year’s holidays are always prime time for a long break. In 2025, Christmas falls on a Thursday, which means you can take advantage of Boxing Day (Friday 26 December) and book just three additional days (29-31 December) to enjoy an 11-day break. This is perfect for a longer holiday to see family, enjoy a beachside retreat, or celebrate the New Year in style.
State public holidays - and some top holiday ideas
Each state and territory also observe their own set of public holidays, which means you wrap some extra leave around the dates and long weekends. We’ve also added some suggested activities to go with your time out.
NSW
- Bank Holiday - Monday 4 August 2025 (this only applies if you work at a bank or other financial institution!)
- Labour Day - Monday 6 October 2025
Getaway ideas
Take some time out to recharge on an unforgettable Murray River road trip, where iconic waterways and riverside towns are matched with outstanding food and wine, rich history and incredible cultural heritage.
Victoria
Take a peek into an underwater wonderland at Sea Life Melbourne and explore the mesmerising world beneath the waves. Image from: Visit Victoria
- Labour Day - Monday 10 March
- Friday before AFL Grand Final - Friday 26 September
- Melbourne Cup Day - Tuesday 4 November
Getaway ideas
You don’t have to travel far to have fun. Enjoy a memorable stay in the heart of Melbourne and discover underwater adventures, incredible museums and cultural wonders - these leading indoor activities with kids are perfect all year round.
Queensland
- Labour Day - Monday 5 May
- Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) People's Day - Wednesday 13 August 2025 (Brisbane only)
Getaway ideas
Enjoy a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure away from the busy tourist hotspots on the stunning Sunshine Coast with an escape to Bokarina. This is the perfect place to enjoy pristine beaches, gorgeous scenery and great dining.
South Australia
For a relaxing getaway surrounded by glittering waterways and nature, Barmera is a scenic drive from Adelaide. Image from: South Australia Tourism Commission
- Adelaide Cup Day - Monday 10 March
- King's Birthday / Volunteers' Day - Monday 12 June (celebrated together in South Australia)
- Labour Day - Monday 6 October
Getaway ideas
Adelaide is not only a vibrant and exciting city - it’s also close to charming villages, awe-inspiring sights and thrilling adventures. Find out about some of the best short breaks from South Australia’s capital city.
Western Australia
- Labour Day - Monday 3 March
- Western Australia Day - Monday 2 June
- King's Birthday - Monday 29 September (date can vary in different regions within WA)
Getaway ideas
Explore some of Australia’s most majestic and dramatic scenery. Western Australia is rich with incredible wilderness experiences, from the historic national parks around Perth to the coastal hikes, horse trails and mountain tracks.
Tasmania
For a relaxing getaway surrounded by glittering waterways and nature, Barmera is a scenic drive from Adelaide. Image from: South Australia Tourism Commission
- Eight Hours Day - Monday 10 March
- Recreation Day - Monday 3 November (Northern Tasmania only)
- King Island Show - Tuesday 4 March (King Island only)
- Royal Hobart Regatta - Monday 10 February (Hobart area only)
- Launceston Cup Day - Wednesday 26 February (Launceston area only)
- King's Birthday - Monday 9 June
Getaway ideas
Explore some of Australia’s best vineyards - and best scenery - on a tour of some must-visit Tamar Valley wineries. Since the mid-1800s this fertile and breathtaking region has been producing award-winning vino.
ACT
- Canberra Day - Monday 10 March
- Reconciliation Day - Monday 2 June
- Labour Day - Monday 6 October
Getaway ideas
Canberra is packed with cultural experiences, historical attractions and innovative dining around the tranquil waters of Lake Burley Griffin. Find out more about some of the capital city’s best attractions.
Northern Territory
- May Day - Monday 10 March
- Picnic Day - Monday 2 June
- Alice Springs Show Day - Monday 6 October
- Tennant Creek Show Day - Monday 10 March
- Katherine Show Day - Monday 2 June
- Darwin Show Day - Monday 6 October
Getaway ideas
Darwin never ceases to surprise. From giant crocs in the CBD, to exotic markets and fire-breathing sunsets, get ready for plenty of surprises as you explore the gateway to the Top End.