A GUIDE TO HOLIDAY WEEKENDS IN 2026: WHERE TO GO
There are several long holiday weekends scattered throughout the American calendar, and yet it is so easy for them to fly by. There is nothing worse than reaching Tuesday and realising the entire weekend slipped by without doing anything memorable.
With that in mind, the team at layah has put together a simple guide to making the most of the federal holidays throughout the year. If you have ever found yourself wondering where to go when a long weekend appears, this is a good place to start.
MEMORIAL DAY (MAY 25) IN ST. BARTHS
By late May, St. Barths (or Saint Barthelemy) is well into “shoulder season.” The weather is warm on this French-speaking Caribbean island, the sea incredibly clear, and yet the island is gentle and unhurried before the summer rush arrives.
Mornings begin with quiet swims in calm water, followed by long lunches that stretch comfortably into the afternoon. It is the sort of place where a long weekend feels like it could go on forever.
Our Favourite Stays:
- Cheval Blanc St. Barths
- Gyp Sea St. Barths
- Rosewood Le Guanahani
FOURTH OF JULY (JULY 4) IN NEW ENGLAND
The seaside is the perfect setting for the Fourth of July, and Martha’s Vineyard is the best place to feel New England charm.
The environment is absolutely picture-perfect, with hydrangeas decorating garden fences, bicycles gliding down the lane, and the harbour filled with boats returning in time for evening fireworks.
Close by, The Hamptons offers a different but equally timeless coastal atmosphere. Days revolve around the beach, sailing, and long outdoor dinners as the sun slips into the Atlantic. By nightfall, fireworks flicker across the shoreline, a fitting close to a day spent entirely outdoors.
Our Favourite Stays:
- Harbor View Hotel, Martha’s Vineyard
- Montauk Yacht Club, The Hamptons
LABOR DAY (SEPTEMBER 7) IN ANGUILLA
Anguilla, a Caribbean island close to St. Barth’s, is the perfect place to say goodbye to summer. If you’re looking for a relaxing holiday mixed with a bit of adventure, this is the place for you. In Anguilla, you’ll find over 30 beaches, cliff jumping, fresh lobster lunches, and a calm, peaceful atmosphere.
It is a peaceful way to mark the final long weekend of the season before autumn begins to settle in.
Our Favourite Stays:
- Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
THANKSGIVING (NOVEMBER 26) AT AMANGIRI, SOUTHERN UTAH
For a completely different setting, Thanksgiving in the desert offers something unexpected and restorative. Amangiri in Southern Utah blends quietly into its surroundings, where wide skies and sculpted, red rock formations stretch for miles.
Days are often spent walking through canyons. By evening, families gather for a slow meal as the air cools and the stars begin to appear. The stillness of the landscape lends the holiday a thoughtful, grounded quality.
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE (DECEMBER 25TH – DECEMBER 31ST) IN PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs offers clear skies and bright desert sun for the holiday season. The town’s mid-century architecture, along with the palm trees and mountain silhouettes, gives this destination a distinctive sense of nostalgia.
Days might involve lounging beside the pool, wandering through boutique shops, or driving out into the open desert where the scenery stretches endlessly. As the year draws to a close, evenings feel celebratory but relaxed, an easy transition into the new year.
Our Favourite Stays:
- The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage
- Parker Palm Springs
CHOOSING THE MOMENT
Whether it is the early summer calm, the festive energy of the coast in July, or the drama of the desert in November, these federal holidays offer an opportunity to step away and experience something new and exciting.
Let layah guide you and take away the unnecessary stress of planning the details. Contact us today for a consultation.
Leave a Reply