Federal holidays 2026
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. 1 of them falls on a weekend and is observed on a weekday: Independence Day (observed Friday, July 3). Federal offices, the U.S. Postal Service and most banks close on the observed date; the stock market follows its own calendar.
| Holiday | Date | Day of week | Observed (federal) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Thursday, January 1 | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19, 2026 | Monday | Monday, January 19 | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) | February 16, 2026 | Monday | Monday, February 16 | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | May 25, 2026 | Monday | Monday, May 25 | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19, 2026 | Friday | Friday, June 19 | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4, 2026 | Saturday | Friday, July 3 | July 4 |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | Monday | Monday, September 7 | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | October 12, 2026 | Monday | Monday, October 12 | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Wednesday, November 11 | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26, 2026 | Thursday | Thursday, November 26 | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday | Friday, December 25 | December 25 |
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.
Long weekends from federal holidays in 2026
How the observed dates work
Under 5 U.S.C. § 6103(b), when a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is treated as the holiday for most federal employees; when it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is. Six holidays — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving — always fall on a weekday by design, so only the five fixed-date holidays (New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day) ever need an observed date. Employees who work a non-standard schedule follow OPM's "in lieu of" rules instead.
Who gets federal holidays off?
Federal holidays are paid days off for federal civiilan employees, and federal courts, agencies, post offices and the Federal Reserve close. State and local governments choose their own lists — most match the federal list closely, but several skip Columbus Day or Presidents' Day and many add state days; see the state-by-state pages. Private employers are under no federal obligation to close or pay extra, though most observe at least the six "major" holidays.
What's open on federal holidays
Post offices are closed and there is no regular mail delivery, most banks close (they follow the Federal Reserve schedule, which matches the federal list). The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq close on nine of the eleven — they stay open on Veterans Day and Columbus Day. Federal offices close; most state offices close on the days their state also recognizes. Retailers and restaurants usually open, often with holiday hours. For holiday-by-holiday detials see what's open on U.S. holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in the United States in 2026 (12 in years with Inauguration Day, which only applies to federal employees in the Washington, D.C. area). The first is New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026 and the last is Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2026.
Which 2026 federal holidays fall on a weekend?
Independence Day (Saturday, July 4, observed Friday, July 3).
Which federal holidays in 2026 create a long weekend?
8 holidays land on a Monday or Friday in 2026: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Mon, Jan 19), Presidents' Day (Mon, Feb 16), Memorial Day (Mon, May 25), Labor Day (Mon, Sep 7), Columbus Day (Mon, Oct 12), Juneteenth National Independence Day (Fri, Jun 19), Independence Day (Fri, Jul 3), Christmas Day (Fri, Dec 25). See the long weekends section for bridge-day ideas.
Are federal holidays the same as state holidays?
No. Federal holidays apply to federal employees and federal offices; each state sets its own list for state employees and courts. Most states adopt most federal holidays, but some skip Columbus Day or Presidents' Day and many add their own days. Check the state pages for the exact list.
Do private employers have to give federal holidays off?
No federal law requires private employers to close or to pay premium wages on federal holidays. Many do close on the six major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas), but it is a matter of company policy or a union contract.
Other years
Federal holidays 2027. Dates for later years are on each holiday's own page and in the U.S. holiday calendar feed.