Kwanzaa 2026
There are 57 days until Kwanzaa 2026 — Saturday, December 26, 2026.
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| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
About Kwanzaa 2026
Kwanzaa 2026 falls on Saturday, December 26. It is an observance rather than a public holiday, so businesses, schools and government offices keep regular hours.
Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural observance from December 26 to January 1 celebrating African American heritage and seven guiding principles. It is not a public holiday: no offices, banks or schools close because of it.
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 →
Kwanzaa in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 26, 2026 | Saturday | — |
| 2027 | December 26, 2027 | Sunday | — |
Holidays after Kwanzaa 2026
- Jan 1, 2027 New Year's Day 2027 (Friday)
- Jan 18, 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 (Monday)
- Feb 15, 2027 Presidents' Day 2027 (Monday)
- May 31, 2027 Memorial Day 2027 (Monday)
- Jun 19, 2027 Juneteenth National Independence Day 2027 (Saturday)
Other holidays in December 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Tue | Rosa Parks Day | State holiday |
| Dec 7 | Mon | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance |
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve | State holiday |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal holiday |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Day After Christmas | State holiday |
| Dec 31 | Thu | New Year's Eve | State holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Saturday, December 26, 2026
- Dates
- December 26 through January 1, seven days
- Legal status
- Observance; not a federal or state holiday
- Created
- 1966 in Los Angeles by Maulana Karenga
- Name
- From Swahili matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits
- Principles
- Nguzo Saba: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, Imani
Frequently asked questions
What day is Kwanzaa in 2026?
Kwanzaa 2026 is on Saturday, December 26, 2026.
Is Kwanzaa a day off in 2026?
Kwanzaa is an observance, not a public holiday, so offices, schools and businesses keep normal hours unless they choose otherwise.
How many days until Kwanzaa 2026?
There are 57 days until Kwanzaa 2026 (December 26, 2026) as of today.