Planning your vacation trips, calculating the date when the bank is closed, or even wondering about your next three-day weekend depends on your knowledge of the federal holidays in 2026. There are 11 federal holidays in 2026, and we have listed all of them below, along with the dates and days of each holiday.
Whether you are an employee verifying your pay schedule, a small business owner preparing for bank closures, or someone who prefers booking flights in advance, you have all the information you need regarding federal holidays 2026.
What Is a Federal Holiday?
A federal holiday is an official holiday in the United States that is designated by the government according to federal law.
During Federal holidays USA, the federal government is closed, as well as post offices, banks, stock exchanges, and many schools.
There are 11 federal holidays per year, as well as one additional holiday for Washington D.C., every four years on the occasion of a presidential inauguration.
2026 Federal Holidays: The Full List
Here’s the complete 2026 holiday calendar, straight from the Office of Personnel Management’s schedule.
| Holiday | Date | Day |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Thursday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19 | Monday |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | February 16 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | Friday |
| Independence Day | July 4 (observed July 3) | Saturday (observed Friday) |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday |
Important Fact: There are no holidays in March, April, or August in the year 2026. If you’re taking days off work for vacation, you’ll have to use your own PTO in those months.
A Closer Look at Each Federal Holiday 2026
Here is a closer look at each Federal holiday in 2026.
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1
The year begins with this federal holiday. Because it falls on a Thursday, many people will try to make a four-day weekend by adding Friday to the mix.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19
Observed on the third Monday of January each year, MLK Day is dedicated to the memory and work of the civil rights leader, providing federal employees with a guaranteed long weekend.
Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 16
This federal holiday has another name: Washington’s Birthday, but the question of when it is Presidents Day 2026 often arises. The answer is simple: the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day 2026 – Monday, May 25
The last Monday in May always brings Memorial Day. This federal holiday honours those Americans who have died in service in the armed forces.
Juneteenth National Independence Day – Friday, June 19
Juneteenth is the latest federal holiday that was declared in 2021. It honours the day when the last African American slaves learned about their freedom in 1865. In 2026, Juneteenth falls on a Friday, which is just a great beginning to the weekend.
Independence Day – Saturday, July 4 (Observed Friday, July 3)
Fourth of July in 2026 occurs on a Saturday. As federal holidays 2026 that occur on weekends are moved to the nearest working day, federal offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, this year.
Labor Day 2026 – Monday, September 7
The first Monday in September is designated as Labor Day 2026, the celebration of American workers and the labor movement. Moreover, it marks the unofficial end of summer.
Columbus Day – Monday, October 12
Columbus Day in 2026 will occur on the second Monday of October. This day is also marked by some states and cities as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11
One thing that sets Veterans Day apart from other federal holidays is that it is always observed on November 11, no matter what the weekday is. So, in 2026, Veterans Day will fall on a Wednesday, meaning that it won’t result in a weekend.
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26
As per the definition of Thanksgiving, it is observed on the fourth Thursday of the month of November every year. It is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States and in addition, many people have Friday off after it.
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
It is the last holiday in the year 2026 and falls on a Friday, making for a great weekend ending the year.
How Do “Observed” Holiday Dates Work?
This is not always the case because sometimes these holidays fall during weekends. The following are some general guidelines that apply in such situations:
- The holiday will be observed the preceding Friday if it occurs on a Saturday.
- If the holiday occurs on a Sunday, then it will be observed the following Monday.
In 2026, this guideline will apply to Independence Day because this holiday will occur on a Saturday, and it will be observed on Friday, July 3.
Federal Holidays vs. State and Company Holidays
It should be noted that the 2026 federal holidays provide paid holidays only to federal workers. It is not necessary for private companies to give holidays or pay extra for holidays since they have no legal obligation to follow the federal calendar. However, some states provide additional holidays beyond those provided federally, so you should consider consulting your employer or the state administration regarding the holidays.
Final Thoughts
If you are trying to plan out your holiday calendar, planning out payroll for federal holidays in 2026, or even just wondering what the dates are for your next weekend off, this blog has you covered. Save this blog for future reference, anytime you want an answer to your questions regarding holidays in 2026.
Note: If you want to generate your pay stub with correct calculation, you can use the pay stub generator!
People May Ask
1) How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026.
2) When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25.
3) When is Labor Day 2026?
Labor Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7.
4) Is Good Friday a federal holiday?
No. Good Friday is not on the official list of federal holidays, even though some state and local governments observe it.
5) Which months have no federal holidays in 2026?
March, April, and August don’t have federal holidays in 2026.
