Is there anything better than having national holidays just before or after the weekend? We’d wager that there isn’t a single person that doesn’t know how to appreciate such a beneficial alignment of the stars, no matter where you come from and what you prefer to celebrate. Some of the long weekends 2019 had in store for us are already behind, but with almost seven months to go, there’s more than a fair share left to enjoy.
While the most unfortunate thing that can happen is to have an event fall on a weekend day, some countries such as Australia still like to compensate their hard-working people with an additional day off following the weekend (see Boxing Day). Without expanding on details at this moment, take a look at some of the long weekends 2020 and the current year are promising us. After that, you’ll find them sorted by country if that’s what you prefer.
Long Weekends 2019
Some are already behind us but do not let that discourage you, as 2019 still has a myriad of long weekends to relish in. Listed here, you’ll find all necessary information if you’re from Canada, the US or Australia. For a collection of the European Union institutional holidays, refer to the last heading below.
Long Weekends in January
Tuesday, January 1, 2019: New Year’s Day (ALL)
The most ubiquitous celebration of all, on New Year’s Day we like to greet the new calendar year. Some consider it to be an important milestone and make wishes, or New Year resolutions as they’re called.
Monday, January 21, 2019: Martin Luter King Jr Day (US)
It took some time before all the states have accepted celebrating Martin Luter King Jr Day, but labor unions persevered in promoting a holiday dedicated to the nonviolent activist and central figure of the Civil Rights Movement.
Monday, January 28, 2019: Australia Day (AUSTRALIA)
While technically falling on a Saturday this year, Australia has provided its people with an additional Monday off in lieu of that Saturday. Each January 26, Australia celebrates the arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Sydney Cove.
Long Weekends in February
Monday, February 18, 2019: Washington’s Birthday (US)
Always observed on the third Monday of February, Washington’s Birthday is the time of celebration of not just George Washington, but also of all other presidents that came after.
Long Weekends in March
There are no long weekends in March.
Long Weekends in April
Friday, April 19, 2019: Good Friday (AUSTRALIA) (CANADA)
On this solemn day, we remember the crucifixion and suffering of Jesus Christ on Golgotha. Christians from all over the world remember one of the saddest days in their religion.
Monday, April 22, 2019: Easter Monday (AUSTRALIA) (CANADA)
Some countries celebrate the day after Easter Sunday. Also known as Bright Monday, processions are often different on this day and sometimes take place outdoors.
Thursday, April 25, 2019: Anzac Day (AUSTRALIA)
Initially dedicated to Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (therefore, Anzac) who fought at Gallipoli in First World War, it is now a remembrance day for all those who Australians and New Zealanders who engaged in conflicts around the world.
Long Weekends in May
Monday, May 20, 2019: Victoria Day (CANADA)
Victoria’s Day is always observed during the penultimate Monday of May. Celebration of the Queen, as it’s called, takes place all over Canada as they commemorate Queen Victoria’s birthday.
Monday, May 27, 2019: Memorial Day (US)
Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is an equivalent of Anzac Day in Australia. Americans remember all those who’ve fallen while serving their country. It used to be referred to as Decoration Day.
Long Weekends in June
Monday, June 10, 2019: Queen’s Birthday (AUSTRALIA)
As is the practice among the countries of the Commonwealth, Queen or King’s Official Birthday marks the celebration of the current monarch. It usually doesn’t happen on the exact date of the birthday, it’s rather arbitrary.
Long Weekends in July
Monday, July 1, 2019: Canada Day (CANADA)
British North America Act, or Constitution Act as it’s a more contemporarily applicable name, is the celebration of the union of Nova Scotia, Province of Canda and New Brunswick into a single entity within British Empire called Canada. It was renamed to Constitution Act in 1982.
Thursday, July 4, 2019: Independence Day (US)
On the 4th of July, it was announced by the Continental Congress that 13 colonies will no longer abide by the British Crown. Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence of 1776 by throwing large parades, having unmatched barbecues and fireworks.
Long Weekends in August
Monday, August 5, 2019: Bank Holiday (AUSTRALIA)
Unless you’re working in a bank or some other financial institution, you won’t be able to enjoy this Monday off. However, with so many others to take advantage off, you won’t even feel it.
Long Weekends in September
Monday, September 2, 2019: Labor Day (US) (CANADA)
Americans and Canadians celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September, honoring the workers and remembering the labor movement. In most of the countries, this celebration takes place on May 1 and it’s called International Workers’ Day.
Long Weekends in October
Monday, October 7, 2019: Labor Day (AUSTRALIA)
Just like the US and Canada, Australians celebrate their Labor Day on a date different than most other countries, but unlike North America, they chose October for this purpose.
Monday, October 14, 2019: Columbus Day (US)
Not just in the US, Columbus Day is celebrated all over the Americas as the day the New World was discovered. In today’s social climate, there is a much-heated debate over whether such a day should be celebrated, given all the atrocities that followed in the footsteps of Europeans.
Monday, October 14, 2019: Thanksgiving Day (CANADA)
Second Monday in October honors good harvest and all the plenty of the year behind us. Most commonly associated with the US, Canada also observes this holiday and has done so since 1879.
Long Weekends in November
Monday, November 11, 2019: Veterans Day (US)
Veterans Day is similar in nature to the celebration of Memorial Day, the main difference being that the former honors all of the veterans, while the latter commemorates the fallen ones only.
Monday, November 11, 2019: Remembrance Day (CANADA)
Countries of the Commonwealth remember those fallen in World War One on this day, often symbolized by wearing Poppy flowers on garments and adorning monuments with it. It was formerly celebrated as Armistice Day but has developed since.
Thursday, November 28, 2019: Thanksgiving Day (US)
The most famous of all the Thanksgiving Day celebrations, the US version celebrates the harvest and shows thankfulness for the blessings of nature.
Long Weekends in December
Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Christmas Day (ALL)
The day that almost the whole world celebrates, regardless of their religious persuasions, Christmas has crossed all borders and bridged all the differences. As you probably already know, it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, but it has since evolved into the most beautiful days when families get together.
Thursday, December 26, 2019: Boxing Day (AUSTRALIA) (CANADA)
Boxing Day was a Bank Holiday celebrated in Britain, and it’s always the day after Christmas. In Australia, when such a celebration takes place on a weekend day, it’s postponed to a working day.
Read more: Photos of Lovely Quebec
Long Weekends 2020
Some of the long weekends 2020 will include all the same celebrations, only a couple of them might fall on a different date. We’ve provided you with this list so that you can potentially make some plans for the next year. As you know, this will reduce the prices significantly and allow you to make plans ahead of time.
Long Weekends in January
Wednesday, January 1, 2020: New Year’s Day (ALL)
Monday, January 20, 2020: Martin Luter King Jr’s Birthday (US)
Monday, January 27, 2020: Australia Day (AUSTRALIA)
Long Weekends in February
Monday, February 17, 2020: Washington’s Birthday (US)
Long Weekends in March
There are no long weekends in March.
Long Weekends in April
Friday, April 10, 2020: Good Friday (AUSTRALIA) (CANADA)
Monday, April 13, 2020: Easter Monday (AUSTRALIA)
Long Weekends in May
Monday, May 18, 2020: Victoria Day (CANADA)
Monday, May 25, 2020: Memorial Day (US)
Long Weekends in June
Monday, June 8, 2020: Queen’s Birthday (AUSTRALIA)
Long Weekends in July
Wednesday, July 1, 2020: Canada Day (CANADA)
Friday, July 3, 2020: Independence Day (US)
Long Weekends in August
Monday, August 3, 2020: Bank Holiday (AUSTRALIA)
Long Weekends in September
Monday, September 7, 2020: Labor Day (US) (CANADA)
Long Weekends in October
Monday, October 5, 2020: Labor Day (AUSTRALIA)
Monday, October 12, 2020: Columbus Day (US)
Monday, October 12, 2020: Thanksgiving Day (CANADA)
Long Weekends in November
Wednesday, November 11, 2020: Veterans Day (US)
Wednesday, November 11, 2020: Remembrance Day (CANADA) (AUSTRALIA)
Thursday, November 26, 2020: Thanksgiving Day (US)
Long Weekends in December
Friday, December 25, 2020: Christmas Day (ALL)
Monday, December 28, 2020: Boxing Day (AUSTRALIA)
Read more: Towns in Spain with Beaches
Long Weekends Canada
For those Canadians hoping for a three-day weekend, there are plenty of options scattered throughout the year to choose from. As you’re perfectly aware of if you’re Canadian, there is quite a number of holidays that are tied to specific cities or regions, which we plan on omitting from this list. So, if you’re from the city of Quebec and plan on spending its National Holiday there, you’ll already be keenly aware of it taking place on June 24, which happens to be a Monday and a great extension of a great weekend.
Otherwise, your options are for such a broad country really are limitless. Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you might also want to cross borders for the upcoming long weekends. As you know, one of the closest cities you can visit in the US is the once abandoned city of Detroit. While it’s not the hottest tourist destination, you can explore the apocalypse-like environment of decrepit parts of the city, or take notice of what gentrification has done to improve the situation there. Another interesting opportunity and also far less intimidating is the island nation of Greenland. While these options mostly cater to those in the eastern part of the country, others are no less interesting and equally relaxing, much like all the long weekends Canada has in store.
- Tuesday, January 1, 2019: New Year’s Day
- Friday, April 19, 2019: Good Friday
- Monday, April 22, 2019: Easter Monday
- Monday, May 20, 2019: Victoria Day
- Monday, July 1, 2019: Canada Day
- Monday, September 2, 2019: Labor Day
- Monday, October 14, 2019: Thanksgiving Day
- Monday, November 11, 2019: Remembrance Day
- Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Christmas Day
- Thursday, December 26, 2019: Boxing Day
Long Weekends Australia
Whether it’s Labor Day or Good Friday, citizens of Australia will celebrate the whole weekend long plus one day, multiple times this year.
Unless you’re a bank employee, you’ll be able to make plans for any of the holidays mentioned below with the exception of Bank Holiday. Three-day weekends might seem like a good time to spend an additional day with your family or do nothing around the house and just relaxed. While you may be tempted to do so, keep in mind that there are some interesting travel destinations in your proximity that you could visit instead. With just a little bit of planning, you could spend the entire weekend in Bangkok, Thailand, rock climbing, partying, or simply visiting landmarks. Other countries of Southeast Asia can also be potentially interesting destinations.
- Tuesday, January 1, 2019: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 28, 2019: Australia Day
- Friday, April 19, 2019: Good Friday
- Monday, April 22, 2019: Easter Monday
- Thursday, April 25, 2019: Anzac Day
- Monday, June 10, 2019: Queen’s Birthday
- Monday, August 5, 2019: Bank Holiday
- Monday, October 7, 2019: Labor Day
- Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Christmas Day
- Thursday, December 26, 2019: Boxing Day
Long Weekends US
Regardless of whether you’re carefully observing all of these holidays or not, it seems unwise to miss out on all the discoveries you can make during the prolonged weekends.
With so many destinations inside the US, it’s really hard to pick out some places over the others. If you’re down in Texas, you could fly into the largest city of the continent – Mexico City. If that seems overenthusiastic and you’d just like to stay in the US, but travel to a different place nonetheless, there are still plenty of options for you. If you’re a fan of antebellum architecture or simply enjoy the amicable hospitality of South Carolina, Beaufort can be your next destination. If you’re west, check out some of the exquisite destinations you still haven’t managed to cover such as LA, or maybe finally hit up that Oregon you always wanted to see.
- Tuesday, January 1, 2019: New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 21, 2019: Martin Luter King Jr’s Birthday
- Monday, February 18, 2019: Washington’s Birthday
- Monday, May 27, 2019: Memorial Day
- Thursday, July 4, 2019: Independence Day
- Monday, September 2, 2019: Labor Day
- Monday, October 14, 2019: Columbus Day
- Monday, November 11, 2019: Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 28, 2019: Thanksgiving Day
- Wednesday, December 25, 2019: Christmas Day
Long Weekends Europe
It’s overly broad to talk about long weekends in Europe as the European Union doesn’t really regulate each of the member states’ holidays.
There are some, however, that apply to the institutions of the Union and these might create a window of opportunity to move around the old continent and see some new places. Since it’s summertime soon, you might be more interested in which European city you’ll find the best beaches or lowest prices, as you might not want to spend a lot on this extended weekend.
- Tuesday, January 1, 2019: New Year’s Day
- Wednesday, January 2, 2019: Day after New Year’s Day
- Friday, April 19, 2019: Good Friday
- Wednesday, May 1, 2019: Labor Day
- Thursday, May 9, 2019: Europe Day
- Friday, November 1, 2019: All Saints’ Day
- December 25 to December 29, 2019: Christmas Days
