Texas holidays 2026
Texas observes 11 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays and 2 Texas-specific holidays, plus 7 optional or partial-staffing days. Texas does not move a holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday to a weekday, so a weekend holiday brings no day off for state employees. In 2026 that means no weekday off for Independence Day and Day After Christmas. Federal offices still use the federal observed dates.
Federal holidays observed in Texas
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day" (federal name: "Martin Luther King Jr. Day"). Confederate Heroes Day, Jan 19, is a separate partial-staffing holiday and is skipped when the two coincide |
| Feb 16 | Mon | Presidents' Day Federal holiday | — | |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jun 19 | Fri | Emancipation Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "Emancipation Day" (federal name: "Juneteenth National Independence Day"). Emancipation Day — a partial-staffing state holiday under Tex. Gov’t Code § 662.003(b) since 1980. Agencies stay open with minimal staff; most employees have the day off. Anyone required to work earns compensatory time (§ 662.007). |
| Jul 4 | Sat | Independence Day Federal holiday | No day off | No weekend substitution — when July 4 falls on a Saturday/Sunday state employees get no alternate day |
| 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.
Texas state holidays
Paid days off for Texas 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 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | All agencies closed |
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve State holiday | — | 'Christmas Eve Day' — all agencies closed |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Day After Christmas State holiday | No day off | Falls on a weekend; Texas does not move it to a weekday. 'Day after Christmas' — all agencies closed |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days Texas 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 2 | Mon | Texas Independence Day State holiday | — | Partial-staffing holiday: agencies stay open with a skeleton crew; employees may take the day |
| Mar 31 | Tue | César Chávez Day State holiday | — | Optional holiday under Tex. Gov't Code 662.003(b) |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday State holiday | — | Optional holiday — employees may take it in lieu of another partial-staffing holiday |
| Apr 21 | Tue | San Jacinto Day State holiday | — | Partial-staffing holiday: agencies stay open with a skeleton crew; employees may take the day |
| Aug 27 | Thu | Lyndon Baines Johnson Day State holiday | — | Partial-staffing holiday: agencies stay open with a skeleton crew; employees may take the day |
| Sep 12 | Sat | Rosh Hashanah Religious observance | — | Optional holiday (two days) under Tex. Gov't Code 662.003(b); employees may take it in lieu of another holiday |
| Sep 21 | Mon | Yom Kippur Religious observance | — | Optional holiday under Tex. Gov't Code 662.003(b) |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19 | Mon | Confederate Heroes Day Observance | — | Partial-staffing state holiday; not observed in years when it coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day (e.g. 2026) |
| 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 12 | Mon | Columbus Day Federal holiday | — | Federal holiday — federal offices, banks and post offices close. State offices stay open. |
| 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 Texas, 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 Texas have in 2026?
Texas observes 11 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 9 federal holidays plus 2 Texas-specific holidays (Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve). Another 7 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in Texas?
The next holiday in Texas is Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (9 days away).
Does Texas observe all federal holidays?
Texas does not give state employees a paid day off for Columbus Day. Federal offices in Texas still close on every federal holiday.
Are banks and post offices closed on Texas state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Texas-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.