US Federal Holidays 2026
The 11 federal holidays observed by US federal employees and most banks — actual date, observed date for weekend holidays, and the rule used to compute each.
- Thursday, Jan 1, 2026New Year's Day
- Monday, Jan 19, 2026Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.3rd Monday of January
- Monday, Feb 16, 2026Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day)3rd Monday of February
- Monday, May 25, 2026Memorial DayLast Monday of May
- Friday, Jun 19, 2026Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Saturday, Jul 4, 2026Independence DayObserved: Friday, Jul 3, 2026
- Monday, Sep 7, 2026Labor Day1st Monday of September
- Monday, Oct 12, 2026Columbus Day2nd Monday of October (also Indigenous Peoples' Day)
- Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day4th Thursday of November
- Friday, Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day
Other years
What is a US federal holiday?
A federal holiday is a day designated by Congress on which the federal government closes. Federal offices and agencies do not operate, most banks close, and federal employees receive a paid day off. There are 11 federal holidays in total. They apply to the federal government — private employers are not required to give them off, and any holiday pay or leave for private-sector workers is a matter of company policy.
Fixed-date holidays can land on a weekend, so federal law sets an "observed" day. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed the preceding Friday; when it falls on a Sunday, it is observed the following Monday. That is why the date a holiday falls on and the date it is observed sometimes differ — the lists for each year below show both.
The newest federal holiday is Juneteenth National Independence Day, added in 2021. For the exact dates in a given year, see the per-year pages rather than assuming a fixed calendar, since observed days shift with the day of the week.
Federal holidays FAQ
- How many federal holidays are there?
- There are 11 federal holidays designated by Congress: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
- Are private employers required to give federal holidays off?
- No. Federal holidays apply to federal government offices and employees. Private employers are not legally required to close or to give paid time off on these days — holiday leave for private-sector workers is set by company policy or employment agreements.
- What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
- When a fixed-date federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed by federal offices on the preceding Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday (5 U.S.C. § 6103).
- What is the newest federal holiday?
- Juneteenth National Independence Day, marking June 19, is the most recent addition. It became the 11th federal holiday in 2021.
- Do federal holidays affect banks and the stock market?
- Most banks follow the federal holiday calendar and close on these days, and the Federal Reserve is closed, so electronic transfers may be delayed. Stock exchanges keep a separate but largely overlapping schedule. Private businesses set their own hours.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Rules
When a fixed-date holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed the previous Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is observed the following Monday (5 U.S.C. § 6103).