Arkansas holidays 2026
Arkansas observes 10 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays and 1 Arkansas-specific holiday. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Federal holidays observed in Arkansas
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Federal holiday | — | Officially "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday" (federal name: "Martin Luther King Jr. Day"). Robert E. Lee removed in 2017 |
| Feb 16 | Mon | George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day" (federal name: "Presidents' Day"). |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jul 4 | Sat | Independence Day Federal holiday | Fri, Jul 3 | |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labor Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Veterans Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 26 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Federal holiday | — |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Arkansas state holidays
Paid days off for Arkansas state employees that are not federal holidays. Post offices, federal offices and most banks stay open on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve State holiday | — | Statutory paid holiday (A.C.A. 1-5-101) |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Mon | Groundhog Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 8 | Sun | Super Bowl Sunday Observance | — | |
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 18 | Wed | Ash Wednesday Religious observance | — | |
| Mar 8 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Begins Observance | — | |
| Mar 17 | Tue | St. Patrick's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 29 | Sun | Palm Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 1 | Wed | April Fools' Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Tax Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 22 | Wed | Earth Day Observance | — | |
| May 5 | Tue | Cinco de Mayo Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| May 16 | Sat | Armed Forces Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 14 | Sun | Flag Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 19 | Fri | Juneteenth National Independence Day Federal holiday | — | The federal date is Friday, Jun 19, 2026. Arkansas observes Juneteenth on the third Saturday in June — Saturday, Jun 20, 2026 — when state offices close. |
| Jun 21 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 11 | Fri | Patriot Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 13 | Sun | National Grandparents Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 17 | Thu | Constitution Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — | |
| Nov 1 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Ends Observance | — | |
| Nov 30 | Mon | Cyber Monday Observance | — | |
| Dec 7 | Mon | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Observance | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Kwanzaa Observance | — |
Long weekends in Arkansas, 2026
What closes
State offices, courts and driver-license offices close on the paid state holidays above; most public schools follow the state calendar. Banks and the post office follow the federal list, not the state one.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Arkansas have in 2026?
Arkansas observes 10 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays plus 1 Arkansas-specific holiday (Christmas Eve).
What is the next holiday in Arkansas?
The next holiday in Arkansas is Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (9 days away).
Does Arkansas observe all federal holidays?
Arkansas does not give state employees a paid day off for Juneteenth National Independence Day or Columbus Day. Federal offices in Arkansas still close on every federal holiday.
Are banks and post offices closed on Arkansas state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Arkansas-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.