The United States has 11 federal holidays in 2026 — days when federal government offices, banks, post offices, and many businesses close. Several states observe additional holidays beyond the federal list.
For the live interactive calendar, see USA 2026 holidays. For long-weekend planning, see /us/long-weekends.
Quick reference: All 11 federal holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day | Thu 1 Jan |
| 19 January | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon 19 Jan (3rd Mon) |
| 16 February | Monday | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Mon 16 Feb (3rd Mon) |
| 25 May | Monday | Memorial Day | Mon 25 May (last Mon May) |
| 19 June | Friday | Juneteenth | Fri 19 Jun |
| 4 July | Saturday | Independence Day | Fri 3 Jul (observed) |
| 7 September | Monday | Labor Day | Mon 7 Sep (1st Mon) |
| 12 October | Monday | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon 12 Oct (2nd Mon) |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Wed 11 Nov |
| 26 November | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Thu 26 Nov (4th Thu) |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | Fri 25 Dec |
Total: 11 federal holidays + 2 substitute days = 13 days off in 2026.
Substitute days in 2026
When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, federal workers get a substitute day off:
- Independence Day (Sat 4 Jul) → observed Friday, 3 July 2026
- Christmas falls on Friday, no substitute needed
- New Year's, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving all fall on weekdays — no substitution
Long weekends 2026 in the USA
The federal calendar creates several 3-day weekends:
| Long weekend | Days | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 17-19 Jan | 3 | MLK Day weekend |
| 14-16 Feb | 3 | Presidents' Day weekend |
| 23-25 May | 3 | Memorial Day weekend |
| 3-5 Jul | 3 | Independence Day weekend (Friday observed) |
| 5-7 Sep | 3 | Labor Day weekend |
| 10-12 Oct | 3 | Columbus Day weekend |
| 26-29 Nov | 4 | Thanksgiving weekend (Thu-Sun + Black Friday) |
| 25-27 Dec | 3 | Christmas weekend |
For maximum-leverage cuti planning, see USA long weekends 2026.
State-specific holidays
The 11 federal holidays apply to federal workers only. Each state sets its own additional holidays:
California (+2 days)
- César Chávez Day (31 March)
- Day after Thanksgiving (27 Nov)
Texas (+2 days)
- Confederate Heroes Day (19 January, coincides with MLK)
- Texas Independence Day (2 March, not paid in most jobs)
Massachusetts & Maine (+1 day)
- Patriots' Day (Mon, 20 April 2026 — Boston Marathon Monday)
Hawaii (+2 days)
- Prince Jonah Kūhiō Day (26 March)
- King Kamehameha Day (11 June)
Louisiana (+1 day)
- Mardi Gras (Tue 17 February 2026)
Nevada (+1 day)
- Nevada Day (Fri 30 October 2026)
Vermont (+1 day)
- Town Meeting Day (Tue 3 March 2026)
For state-specific lists, see our state-aware USA calendar.
Federal holidays explained
New Year's Day — 1 January 2026
Universal civil holiday. Federal offices, banks, post offices closed. Many retailers open.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day — 19 January 2026
Honors civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., assassinated 1968. The 3rd Monday of January. Federal holiday since 1986.
Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day — 16 February 2026
Officially "Washington's Birthday" — but informally called Presidents' Day. The 3rd Monday of February. Many states honor multiple presidents (Lincoln, Reagan, etc.) on this day.
Memorial Day — 25 May 2026
Honors Americans who died in military service. The last Monday of May. Marks the unofficial start of summer. Indianapolis 500 race is held the day before.
Juneteenth — 19 June 2026
Federal holiday since 2021 (signed by President Biden). Commemorates the announcement on 19 June 1865 in Galveston, Texas, freeing the last enslaved African Americans — 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Independence Day — 4 July (observed 3 July) 2026
Commemorates the Declaration of Independence (1776). Fireworks, BBQs, parades. Because July 4 falls on Saturday in 2026, federal workers get Friday 3 July off.
Labor Day — 7 September 2026
The first Monday of September. Marks the unofficial end of summer. Established 1894. See Labour Day 2026 worldwide.
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day — 12 October 2026
The 2nd Monday of October. Federally remains "Columbus Day" but many states now observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. States observing IPD include: Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.
Veterans Day — 11 November 2026
Honors all US military veterans (alive and deceased). Always 11 November — anniversary of the WWI armistice (1918, "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month"). Falls on Wednesday in 2026.
Thanksgiving Day — 26 November 2026
The 4th Thursday of November. The most-traveled US holiday. See Thanksgiving 2026 US vs Canada.
Christmas Day — 25 December 2026
Universal. See Christmas countdown 2026.
Federal holidays that are NOT in the list
These are popularly observed but NOT federal holidays:
- Valentine's Day (14 Feb) — cultural only
- St. Patrick's Day (17 Mar) — cultural only
- Easter Sunday (5 Apr 2026) — religious, not federal
- Mother's Day (10 May 2026) — cultural only
- Father's Day (21 Jun 2026) — cultural only
- Halloween (31 Oct 2026) — cultural only
- Election Day (3 Nov 2026) — not federal, but some states give partial day off
- Christmas Eve (24 Dec 2026) — sometimes early close, not legal holiday
Banking and postal closures 2026
Federal Reserve banks and US Post Office close on all 11 federal holidays. Stock markets (NYSE, NASDAQ) follow the same calendar.
For 2026, US markets will be closed on: 1 Jan, 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 3 Apr (Good Friday — markets only), 25 May, 19 Jun, 3 Jul (early close), 7 Sep, 26 Nov (Thanksgiving — Black Friday early close), 25 Dec.
Working on federal holidays — pay rules
Federal law does not require private-sector employers to give holiday pay or extra rates. Your employment contract specifies:
- Paid holidays as part of compensation
- Holiday premium pay (often 1.5x or 2x)
- Schedule expectations on holidays
Federal employees: get all 11 days off paid. Military: get all 11 days off paid. Most state/local: similar to federal. Private sector: depends on employer.
Related references
- USA 2026 holidays calendar
- USA long weekends 2026 planner
- USA countdown to next holiday
- Thanksgiving 2026 US vs Canada
- Christmas countdown 2026
- Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Labor Day comparison
- Juneteenth holiday detail
Federal holiday dates are confirmed by 5 U.S. Code § 6103 and OPM. State holidays vary — verify with your state government website for current observances.