Virginia holidays 2026
Virginia observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays and 3 Virginia-specific holidays. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Federal holidays observed in Virginia
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Feb 16 | Mon | George Washington Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "George Washington Day" (federal name: "Presidents' Day"). |
| 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 | — | |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Columbus Day & Yorktown Victory Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "Columbus Day & Yorktown Victory Day" (federal name: "Columbus Day"). |
| 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.
Virginia state holidays
Paid days off for Virginia 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 3 | Tue | Election Day State holiday | — | State holiday every year since 2020 (replaced Lee-Jackson Day) |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | 'Day After Thanksgiving'; Virginia also grants 4 hours on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving |
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve State holiday | — | 8 hours additional holiday time on Dec 24 per the 2026 pay & holiday calendar |
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 Virginia, 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 Virginia have in 2026?
Virginia observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays plus 3 Virginia-specific holidays (Election Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve).
What is the next holiday in Virginia?
The next holiday in Virginia is Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (3 days away).
Does Virginia observe all federal holidays?
Virginia observes all 11 federal holidays as paid holidays for state employees, in addition to its own state days.
Are banks and post offices closed on Virginia state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Virginia-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.