Planning your vacations strategically in 2025 can yield extended periods of leisure, especially around Christmas and New Year’s. By carefully selecting which days to request off, you can maximize your time away from work. Several opportunities arise throughout the year, including Easter, May Day, Ascension Day, National Day, and, most significantly, the Christmas and New Year’s period. Each holiday presents a unique opportunity for an extended break, with some requiring fewer vacation days than others for a longer time off.
Easter, falling on April 17th in 2025, offers a potential ten-day holiday with just four vacation days. By taking off the days before or after the long weekend, either from April 12th to 21st or April 18th to 27th, you can significantly extend your break. A shorter five-day break is also possible by taking just one day off, either Maundy Thursday (April 17th) or Tuesday, April 22nd. This flexibility allows you to tailor your time off to your specific needs and preferences, whether it’s a longer escape or a shorter respite.
The spring holidays also offer opportunities for extended breaks. May Day, falling on a Thursday, allows for a four-day weekend with just one vacation day added. If your employer offers a ”squeeze day” off on Friday, May 2nd, then a full week’s holiday is attainable with only three vacation days. Similarly, Ascension Day, also on a Thursday, mirrors this pattern, enabling a four-day weekend with one extra vacation day taken on Friday, May 30th. National Day, celebrated on Friday, June 6th, presents a similar scenario. A four-day weekend is possible by requesting either Thursday, June 5th, or Monday, June 9th, off. These spring and early summer holidays provide excellent opportunities for shorter getaways with minimal use of vacation days.
The true highlight of 2025 for extended vacation planning lies with the Christmas and New Year’s period. The calendar’s alignment creates an exceptional opportunity for a lengthy break. By taking just six vacation days – December 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th, and January 2nd – you can enjoy a 16-day holiday, spanning from December 20th to January 4th. Adding just one more vacation day for Monday, January 5th, extends this period to 18 days, thanks to Epiphany falling on January 6th. A shorter, nine-day holiday is also possible by requesting only December 22nd and 23rd off. This flexibility allows for customization based on individual vacation allowance and desired length of break.
Throughout 2025, several public holidays provide potential for longer breaks. New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, May Day, Ascension Day, National Day, Midsummer’s Day, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve are all designated as public holidays. It’s important to note that while these days are legally non-working days, practices regarding half-days or normal working hours on certain holidays, such as Maundy Thursday, may vary between employers. You should confirm your employer’s specific holiday policies for accurate planning.
In summary, 2025 offers several advantageous periods for maximizing vacation time. The positioning of public holidays, particularly around Easter and the Christmas/New Year season, creates excellent opportunities for extended breaks with strategic use of vacation days. Whether you’re looking for a long winter escape or several shorter breaks throughout the year, careful planning and understanding of the holiday calendar can help you make the most of your time off in 2025. Remember to consult your employer’s holiday policy to ensure accurate planning and avoid any discrepancies.
