West Virginia holidays 2026
West Virginia observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 10 federal holidays and 4 West Virginia-specific holidays, plus 2 optional or partial-staffing days. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Federal holidays observed in West 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 | Presidents' Day Federal holiday | — | |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial 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 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.
West Virginia state holidays
Paid days off for West 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12 | Tue | Primary Election Day State holiday | — | Second Tuesday in May of even-numbered years — 'any day on which a Primary election is held throughout the State' |
| Jun 20 | Sat | West Virginia Day State holiday | Fri, Jun 19 | June 20 statehood anniversary; official paid holiday (observed Friday June 19 in 2026) |
| Nov 3 | Tue | General Election Day State holiday | — | Any day on which a general election is held throughout the state |
| Nov 27 | Fri | Day After Thanksgiving State holiday | — | 'Day After Thanksgiving' (fourth Friday in November) |
Optional and partial-staffing holidays
Days West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | Thu | Christmas Eve State holiday | — | Half day (up to 4 hours) when Christmas Day falls Tuesday-Friday |
| Dec 31 | Thu | New Year's Eve State holiday | — | Half day (up to 4 hours) when New Year's Day falls Tuesday-Friday |
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 19 | Fri | Juneteenth National Independence Day Federal holiday | — | Juneteenth is not a West Virginia statutory holiday. In 2026, however, West Virginia Day (June 20, Saturday) is observed on Friday, June 19 — so state offices close on that date regardless. |
| 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 West 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 West Virginia have in 2026?
West Virginia observes 14 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 10 federal holidays plus 4 West Virginia-specific holidays (Primary Election Day, West Virginia Day, General Election Day, Day After Thanksgiving). Another 2 days are optional or partial-staffing holidays.
What is the next holiday in West Virginia?
The next holiday in West Virginia is General Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (3 days away).
Does West Virginia observe all federal holidays?
West Virginia does not give state employees a paid day off for Juneteenth National Independence Day. Federal offices in West Virginia still close on every federal holiday.
Are banks and post offices closed on West Virginia state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on West Virginia-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.