Delaware holidays 2026
Delaware observes 12 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays and 3 Delaware-specific holidays, plus 1 optional or partial-staffing day. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Federal holidays observed in Delaware
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jun 19 | Fri | Juneteenth National Independence 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.
Delaware state holidays
Paid days off for Delaware state employees that are not federal holidays. Post offices, federal offices and most banks stay open on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday State holiday | — | State holiday |
| Nov 3 | Tue | General Election Day State holiday | — | Even-numbered years only (not on the 2027 schedule) |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | Listed as 'Day After Thanksgiving' on the state schedule |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Delaware recognizes in law but where offices stay open with reduced staff, employees may choose the day, or the holiday depends on an annual proclamation.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5 | Thu | Return Day State holiday | — | Thursday after the general election, after 12 noon, for state employees living and/or working in Sussex County |
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 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 Delaware, 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 Delaware have in 2026?
Delaware observes 12 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays plus 3 Delaware-specific holidays (Good Friday, General Election Day, Day After Thanksgiving). One more day is an optional or partial-staffing holiday.
What is the next holiday in Delaware?
The next holiday in Delaware is General Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (3 days away).
Does Delaware observe all federal holidays?
Delaware does not give state employees a paid day off for Presidents' Day or Columbus Day. Federal offices in Delaware still close on every federal holiday.
Are banks and post offices closed on Delaware state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Delaware-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.