Kentucky holidays 2027
Kentucky observes 11 paid holidays for state employees in 2027: 8 federal holidays and 3 Kentucky-specific holidays, plus 1 optional or partial-staffing day. Fri, Dec 31, 2027 is also a day off — the observed date for New Year's Day 2028. 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 | Fri | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 18 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | |
| May 31 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jun 19 | Sat | Juneteenth National Independence Day Federal holiday | Fri, Jun 18 | |
| Jul 4 | Sun | Independence Day Federal holiday | Mon, Jul 5 | |
| Sep 6 | Mon | Labor Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Thu | Veterans Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 25 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Sat | Christmas Day Federal holiday | Fri, Dec 24 |
* One extra date appears in 2027 because a holiday in 2028 is observed on its last weekday of 2027: Fri, Dec 31, 2027 (New Year's Day 2028). Federal offices, banks and USPS close on that date.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 26 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | Second Thanksgiving holiday day |
| Dec 24 | Fri | Christmas Eve State holiday | Thu, Dec 23 | Christmas Day is observed on Friday, Dec 24, so the second Christmas day is expected on Thursday, Dec 23. The Governor confirms it in the 2027 holiday memo. |
| Dec 31 | Fri | New Year's Eve State holiday | Thu, Dec 30 | The next New Year's Day falls on a Saturday and is observed on Friday, Dec 31, so the second New Year day is expected on Thursday, Dec 30. The Governor confirms it in the 2027 holiday memo. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 | Fri | Good Friday State holiday | — | Half-day holiday for state employees |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Tue | Groundhog Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 10 | Wed | Ash Wednesday Religious observance | — | |
| Feb 14 | Sun | Super Bowl Sunday Observance | — | |
| Feb 14 | Sun | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 14 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Begins Observance | — | |
| Mar 17 | Wed | St. Patrick's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 21 | Sun | Palm Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Mar 28 | Sun | Easter Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 1 | Thu | April Fools' Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 15 | Thu | Tax Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 22 | Thu | Earth Day Observance | — | |
| May 5 | Wed | Cinco de Mayo Observance | — | |
| May 9 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| May 15 | Sat | Armed Forces Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 14 | Mon | Flag Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 20 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 11 | Sat | Patriot Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 12 | Sun | National Grandparents Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 17 | Fri | Constitution Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sun | Halloween Observance | — | |
| Nov 7 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Ends Observance | — | |
| Nov 29 | Mon | Cyber Monday Observance | — | |
| Dec 7 | Tue | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Observance | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sun | Kwanzaa Observance | — |
Long weekends in Kentucky, 2027
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 2027?
Kentucky observes 11 paid holidays for state employees in 2027: 8 federal holidays plus 3 Kentucky-specific holidays (Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve). One more day is an optional or partial-staffing holiday. Fri, Dec 31, 2027 is the observed day for New Year's Day 2028.
What is the next holiday in Kentucky?
The next holiday in Kentucky is New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027 (63 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.