Kentucky holidays 2026
Kentucky observes 13 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays and 4 Kentucky-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 Kentucky
| 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.
Kentucky state holidays
Paid days off for Kentucky state employees that are not federal holidays. Post offices, federal offices and most banks stay open on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2 | Fri | Day after New Year's Day State holiday | — | Second day of the New Year holiday for state employees in 2026 (Personnel Memo 25-18). |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | Second Thanksgiving holiday day |
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve State holiday | — | First day of the two-day Christmas holiday |
| Dec 31 | Thu | New Year's Eve State holiday | — | First day of the two-day New Year holiday |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday State holiday | — | Half-day holiday for state employees |
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 Kentucky, 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 Kentucky have in 2026?
Kentucky observes 13 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays plus 4 Kentucky-specific holidays (Day after New Year's Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve). One more day is an optional or partial-staffing holiday.
What is the next holiday in Kentucky?
The next holiday in Kentucky is Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (12 days away).
Does Kentucky observe all federal holidays?
Kentucky does not give state employees a paid day off for Presidents' Day or Columbus Day. Federal offices in Kentucky still close on every federal holiday.
Are banks and post offices closed on Kentucky state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Kentucky-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.