Return Day 2026
There are 6 days until Return Day 2026 — Thursday, November 5, 2026.
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| 29 | 30 |
About Return Day 2026
Return Day 2026 falls on Thursday, November 5. It falls on a Thursday — take Friday, November 6 off for a four-day weekend.
Return Day is a Delaware tradition held in Georgetown two days after a general election, in even-numbered years. State employees who live or work in Sussex County get a legal half-holiday after noon; elsewhere it is a normal workday, and no federal offices close.
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 — varies. Full what's-open guide →
Return Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 5, 2026 | Thursday | — |
Holidays after Return Day 2026
- Nov 11, 2026 Veterans Day 2026 (Wednesday)
- Nov 26, 2026 Thanksgiving Day 2026 (Thursday)
- Dec 25, 2026 Christmas Day 2026 (Friday)
- Jan 1, 2027 New Year's Day 2027 (Friday)
- Jan 18, 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 (Monday)
Other holidays in November 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Ends | Observance |
| Nov 3 | Tue | Election Day | State holiday |
| Nov 3 | Tue | General Election Day | State holiday |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Veterans Day | Federal holiday |
| Nov 26 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Federal holiday |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving | State holiday |
| Nov 30 | Mon | Cyber Monday | Observance |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Date rule
- Thursday after the general election (two days after Election Day), even-numbered years
- Legal status
- Delaware legal half-holiday, after 12 noon, for Sussex County state employees
- Where
- The Circle in Georgetown, Delaware, the Sussex County seat
- Roots
- Georgetown became county seat in 1791; returns formally announced there under an 1812 election law
- Signature traditions
- Town crier reads returns; rivals share carriages; party leaders bury a hatchet in Lewes sand
Frequently asked questions
What day is Return Day in 2026?
Return Day 2026 is on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Is Return Day a day off in 2026?
Return Day is a state holiday in the states that observe it, so government offices close. Private employers decide for themselves.
How many days until Return Day 2026?
There are 6 days until Return Day 2026 (November 5, 2026) as of today.