April Fools' Day 2026
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About April Fools' Day 2026
April Fools' Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, April 1. It is an observance rather than a public holiday, so businesses, schools and government offices keep regular hours.
April Fools' Day, on April 1, is a day of pranks, hoaxes and practical jokes. It is an informal observance, not a federal or state holiday, so nothing closes: offices, banks, schools and mail all run on normal schedules.
History, state-by-state rules and dates →
What's closed: U.S. Post Office (USPS) — open; Banks — open; Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) — open; Federal offices — open; State and local government — open. Full what's-open guide →
April Fools' Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| 2027 | April 1, 2027 | Thursday | — |
Holidays after April Fools' Day 2026
- May 25, 2026 Memorial Day 2026 (Monday)
- Jun 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Independence Day 2026 (Friday)
- Jul 4, 2026 Independence Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Sep 7, 2026 Labor Day 2026 (Monday)
- Oct 12, 2026 Columbus Day 2026 (Monday)
Other holidays in April 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday | State holiday |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday | Religious observance |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Tax Day | Observance |
| Apr 16 | Thu | Emancipation Day | State holiday |
| Apr 20 | Mon | Patriots' Day | State holiday |
| Apr 21 | Tue | San Jacinto Day | State holiday |
| Apr 22 | Wed | Earth Day | Observance |
| Apr 24 | Fri | Genocide Remembrance Day | State holiday |
| Apr 24 | Fri | Arbor Day | State holiday |
| Apr 27 | Mon | Confederate Memorial Day | State holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- Date rule
- April 1 each year
- Also called
- All Fools' Day
- Legal status
- Informal observance; not a federal or state holiday
- Origin
- Unknown; theories include France's 1500s calendar change and the Roman festival Hilaria
- Signature tradition
- Pranks and hoaxes revealed with the shout of April Fools
Frequently asked questions
What day is April Fools' Day in 2026?
April Fools' Day 2026 is on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Is April Fools' Day a day off in 2026?
April Fools' Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so offices, schools and businesses keep normal hours unless they choose otherwise.
How many days until April Fools' Day 2026?
April Fools' Day 2026 was 214 days ago, on April 1, 2026.