This guide lists every USA official holiday in 2026, the exact date, what typically closes, and simple planning ideas for each. When we say “USA official holidays 2026,” we mean federal holidays set by Congress; federal offices follow these nationwide. Many private employers and banks align with this calendar, but they aren’t required to by law, and practices can vary.
We’ll also note observed dates when a holiday lands on a weekend (Saturday holidays are usually observed on Friday; Sunday holidays on Monday) so you can plan PTO, travel, appointments, and childcare without surprises. Keep in mind that states may recognize additional holidays and schools or local services may set their own schedules. Use this as your quick reference for 2026, and double-check with your employer or school for specific closures.
2026 federal holiday calendar
| Holiday | 2026 date | Day | Federal observed day | Built-in long weekend? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New Year’s Day |
Jan 1 |
Thu |
Jan 1 |
— |
Year start; standard closures |
|
Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
Jan 19 |
Mon |
Jan 19 |
Yes |
3rd Monday in Jan |
|
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day) |
Feb 16 |
Mon |
Feb 16 |
Yes |
3rd Monday in Feb |
|
Memorial Day |
May 25 |
Mon |
May 25 |
Yes |
Last Monday in May |
|
Juneteenth National Independence Day |
Jun 19 |
Fri |
Jun 19 |
Yes |
Fixed date; Friday holiday |
|
Independence Day |
Jul 4 |
Sat |
Jul 3 (Fri) |
Yes |
Observed Friday since the 4th is Saturday |
|
Labor Day |
Sep 7 |
Mon |
Sep 7 |
Yes |
1st Monday in Sep |
|
Columbus Day |
Oct 12 |
Mon |
Oct 12 |
Yes |
2nd Monday in Oct |
|
Veterans Day |
Nov 11 |
Wed |
Nov 11 |
— |
Fixed date; mid-week |
|
Thanksgiving Day |
Nov 26 |
Thu |
Nov 26 |
Possible |
4th Thursday in Nov |
|
Christmas Day |
Dec 25 |
Fri |
Dec 25 |
Yes |
Fixed date; Friday holiday |
Deep-dive: each USA official holiday 2026
New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026
The start of the Gregorian calendar year; among the most universally observed US holidays.
Closures & operations: Federal offices and USPS closed; most banks closed; many private offices closed or on reduced hours. Public transit often runs on a holiday/Sunday schedule.
HR/payroll: Not mandated for private employers, but commonly paid. If your pay date falls on Jan 1, it typically moves to the prior business day.
Travel & prices: Surge pricing on New Year’s Eve; Jan 1 itself is usually quiet for flights.
Smart PTO: Pair Wed, Dec 31 (NYE) + Thu, Jan 1 + Fri, Jan 2 for a long rest (employer policy dependent).
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
Honors Dr. King’s leadership in the civil rights movement; designated as a day of service encouraging volunteering.
Closures & operations: Federal offices, USPS, most banks closed; many schools closed. Retail generally open with winter promotions.
HR/payroll: Private-sector paid observance is common but not guaranteed.
Travel & prices: Popular 3-day ski weekend; book mountain lodging early.
Smart PTO: Take Fri, Jan 16 for a 4-day stretch (Jan 16–19) with 1 PTO.
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day): Monday, February 16, 2026
Federally named Washington’s Birthday, widely marketed as Presidents Day honoring US presidents.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; schools typically closed; retail heavily promotional (appliances, mattresses, winter gear).
HR/payroll: Confirm cutoffs for ACH/wire since banks are shut; move urgent payroll the previous business day.
Travel & prices: Busy ski slopes and winter destinations; traffic builds Friday afternoon.
Smart PTO: Take Fri, Feb 13 to turn it into a 4-day trip (Feb 13–16).
Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
Remembrance of US military personnel who died in service; flags at half-staff until noon, then raised.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; ceremonies and parades nationwide. Pools/parks open seasonally.
HR/payroll: Payroll due dates shift if they fall on the holiday. Hourly staffing needs rise in hospitality/retail.
Travel & prices: Summer kickoff, expect peak demand for beaches, national parks, and flights the Thursday, Monday window.
Smart PTO: Take Fri, May 22 for a 4-day (May 22–25). Families: reserve campgrounds months ahead.
Juneteenth National Independence Day: Friday, June 19, 2026
Commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached Galveston, Texas, celebrations of freedom and Black culture.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; more private employers add this paid day each year. Community festivals and educational events are common.
HR/payroll: Friday bank closure, schedule funding a day earlier; communicate cutoffs to managers.
Travel & prices: A natural 3-day weekend that’s less crowded than Memorial/July 4; good for city breaks.
Smart PTO: Add Mon, Jun 22 (or Thu, Jun 18) for an easy 4-day getaway.
Independence Day, Saturday, July 4, 2026 (Observed Friday, July 3)
US independence in 1776; fireworks, parades, barbecues.
Closures & operations: Federal holiday observed Friday, Jul 3; most government offices, USPS, and banks close Friday.
Many employers also close Saturday/Sunday anyway.
HR/payroll: If you run weekly payrolls on Friday, plan earlier approval/funding; some markets and services run adjusted hours on Jul 3.
Travel & prices: One of the heaviest travel weeks of summer; fireworks crowding near major metros. Book flights early; consider early-morning departures.
Smart PTO: Take Thu, Jul 2 for a 4-day weekend (Jul 2–5). Road-trip? Leave before Friday noon to dodge the worst traffic.
Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026
Honors workers and the labor movement; unofficial end of summer.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; schools often start within days of this date. Retail is open with major sales; many pools close for the season.
HR/payroll: Seasonal staff taper off; update schedules and PTO balances going into Q4.
Travel & prices: High return-traffic Monday; shoulder-season deals begin the week after.
Smart PTO: Add Fri, Sep 4 to extend to 4 days (Sep 4–7).
Columbus Day: Monday, October 12, 2026
Federally, Columbus’s arrival in the Americas; many jurisdictions observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day emphasizing Native cultures and history.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; many schools closed; retail mostly open.
HR/payroll: Mid-October is benefits-enrollment season, use the long weekend for communications and deadlines.
Travel & prices: Peak fall foliage in New England and the Rockies, lodging sells out; reserve early.
Smart PTO: Take Fri, Oct 9 for 4 days (Oct 9–12).
Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Honors all US military veterans; distinct from Memorial Day. Parades, ceremonies, and school programs are common.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; many schools closed; retailers run veteran-focused discounts.
HR/payroll: Mid-week closure can disrupt mid/late-week funding cycles; plan approvals earlier.
Travel & prices: Not a huge travel spike; great time for off-peak city visits.
Smart PTO: Take Mon–Tue (Nov 9–10) and Thu–Fri (Nov 12–13) for 9 days (Nov 7–15) with 4 PTO.
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Gratitude, gatherings, and the biggest meal of the year; football and volunteer events are staples.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; most schools closed Thu–Fri. Many employers also close Fri, Nov 27 (not federally required).
HR/payroll: If your pay date is Fri the 27th and you close that day, fund/pay earlier. Some exchanges use early-close hours around this period, confirm when scheduling trades.
Travel & prices: Busiest US travel week of the year. Peak outbound Tue/Wed; peak return Sun. Book early, travel early-morning, and avoid tight layovers.
Smart PTO:
If you get Fri off: take Mon–Wed (Nov 23–25) → 9 days (Nov 21–29) with 3 PTO.
If not: take Wed 25 + Fri 27 → 5 days (Nov 25–29) with 2 PTO.
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026
Christian holiday widely observed culturally in the US; closures are among the broadest of any holiday.
Closures & operations: Federal/USPS/banks closed; many restaurants/retail closed or limited hours. Transit often runs holiday schedules.
HR/payroll: Year-end payrolls, bonuses, and benefit deductions cluster in December, set internal cutoffs early.
Travel & prices: Peak demand mid-Dec through New Year; prices surge for warm-weather and international trips.
Smart PTO:
Take Mon–Thu (Dec 21–24) → 10 days (Dec 19–27) with 4 PTO.
Bridge to New Year’s 2027 with Mon–Thu (Dec 28–31) → 9 days (Dec 25–Jan 2) with 4 PTO.
Are these holidays “official” for public and private sectors?
Public sector: Yes. These dates are the official federal holiday schedule, and federal agencies, courts, and USPS observe them nationwide, including the Friday/Monday “observed” day when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Private sector: Usually, but not guaranteed. Many companies (and some banks and nonprofits) mirror the federal list, but there’s no law that requires it. Actual policies can vary by employer, union contract, and location, and some institutions (like stock markets or schools) use their own calendars. Always check your company or campus schedule for the specific closures you can expect.
Public sector (government)
For federal employees, the 2026 U.S. federal holidays are paid days off. Most agencies are closed on the holiday itself, or on the observed day when the date falls on a weekend. Essential operations (e.g., public safety, transportation security) may still staff shifts, with holiday rules applying per agency policy.
Observed rule
If the holiday falls on Saturday → observed Friday
If the holiday falls on Sunday → observed Monday
Mail (USPS)
Post offices close and there’s no regular mail delivery on federal holidays. Self-service kiosks and online services remain available.
States and cities
Many state and local governments follow the federal list, though some rename or add holidays (for example, many observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same date the federal calendar lists as Columbus Day). State courts and agencies publish their own calendars, which can differ slightly.
What this means for you (public-sector workers)
You can plan around these closures. Court and agency deadlines that would fall on a holiday typically move to the next business day. When in doubt, check your department or court’s posted calendar for confirmation.
Private sector (most businesses)
Private employers set their own holiday calendars. Many mirror the federal list because it keeps them in sync with customers, vendors, banks, and government offices, but it isn’t automatic or required by law.
Common practice
Most companies close for the “big six”: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Juneteenth is increasingly included.
When a holiday lands on a weekend, many employers observe Friday (for Saturday) or Monday (for Sunday) but policies vary.
Industries that often stay open
Hospitals and clinics, airlines and transit, hotels, restaurants, retail, utilities, logistics, and public safety frequently operate on holidays (sometimes with reduced hours).
Pay and time off
There’s no federal requirement for paid holidays or extra “holiday pay.”
Overtime depends on hours worked (e.g., over 40 in a week), not the calendar day.
Any premium pay, comp time, or extra PTO comes from company policy or a union contract.
Some sectors follow separate calendars (e.g., banks often follow the Federal Reserve schedule; stock exchanges publish their own).
What this means for you (private-sector)
Don’t assume, check your company’s 2026 holiday memo or handbook. Many firms also give the Friday after Thanksgiving, but some don’t. If you need certainty for travel or childcare, confirm observed dates and any holiday-pay rules with HR in advance.
Banks, markets, and schools (the gray area)
Banks
Not federal agencies, but most follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule and close their branches on those dates (or the observed date). ATMs and online banking stay available, but processing pauses:
Plan payroll, bill pay, ACH, and wires at least one business day earlier.
Mobile check deposits made on a holiday usually post next business day.
Drive-thru/branch hours can differ from the app, check your bank’s notice.
Stock & bond markets
U.S. exchanges (NYSE/Nasdaq) publish their own calendars. They typically close on federal holidays and sometimes close early (often 1 p.m. ET) on certain days—most commonly the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), and occasionally around Independence Day or Christmas. The bond market often follows SIFMA recommendations, which can include additional early closes. Always confirm with the exchange or your broker.
Schools
Most K–12 districts close on major federal holidays. The Friday after Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, and teacher in-service days vary by district. Colleges and universities post academic calendars well in advance; campus services may run reduced hours on holidays.
What this means for you
Money moves: Send payroll, invoices, and wires early; expect deposits to settle next business day when a holiday intervenes.
Trading: Check your broker’s 2026 market calendar for full/early closes before placing time-sensitive orders.
Family logistics: Pull your district’s 2026 school calendar now to plan childcare and travel around long weekends and breaks.
FAQs
Are USA Official holidays 2026 automatically paid days off for private employees?
Not by law. Federal holidays in USA official holidays 2026, are mandatory for federal workers, but private employers set their own rules. Many companies pay for the “big six” (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas) and often Juneteenth—check your 2026 holiday memo or handbook.
Tip: If you’re unsure, ask HR for your company’s official 2026 holiday list and whether they offer paid time or premium pay when you work a holiday.
Do “observed” days (like Fri, July 3, 2026) count the same for pay and time off?
Usually, yes, if your employer follows the federal pattern. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, many companies observe it on Friday; when it falls on Sunday, on Monday. If your company observes it, it’s treated like the holiday for pay and PTO rules.
Tip: Put the observed date on your calendar: Independence Day 2026 is Saturday, observed Friday, July 3.
How do I use the holidays to stretch my PTO?
Bridge a holiday to the weekend with one or two PTO days.
MLK Day (Mon, Jan 19): Take Fri, Jan 16 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Presidents Day (Mon, Feb 16): Take Fri, Feb 13 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Memorial Day (Mon, May 25): Take Fri, May 22 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Juneteenth (Fri, Jun 19): Add Mon, Jun 22 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Independence Day observed (Fri, Jul 3): Take Thu, Jul 2 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Labor Day (Mon, Sep 7): Take Fri, Sep 4 → 4 days with 1 PTO.
Veterans Day (Wed, Nov 11): Take Mon–Tue and Thu–Fri → 9 days with 4 PTO.
Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 26):
If you get Fri off, take Mon–Wed → 9 days with 3 PTO.
If not, take Wed + Fri → 5 days with 2 PTO.
Christmas (Fri, Dec 25): Take Mon–Thu (Dec 21–24) → 10 days with 4 PTO, or bridge Dec 28–31 to reach New Year.
Does overtime change if I work on a holiday?
Under federal law, overtime is based on hours worked (e.g., over 40 in a week), not the holiday itself. Holiday premiums (time-and-a-half, double time) are company policy or union contract decisions.
Tip: If you’re non-exempt, check both your handbook and state law. Some CBAs add premium pay or comp time for holiday shifts.
If I’m salaried (exempt), does a holiday reduce my PTO balance?
If the company closes for the holiday and you perform no work, you’re typically paid without using PTO. If you take extra days around the holiday, those extra days usually do come from PTO.
Tip: Avoid “just checking in” on closed days, some employers treat that as “worked” and can affect how the day is coded.
What if I’m part-time or my regular day off lands on the holiday?
Policies vary. Some employers pro-rate holiday pay for part-time staff; others offer a floating holiday if your regular day off is the holiday.
Action: Ask HR: “If my schedule skips Monday and the holiday is Monday, do I receive pro-rated pay or a floating day?”
Can my employer swap a federal holiday for a floating holiday?
Yes. Private employers can set different holiday mixes (e.g., add a floating day, swap Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or give Black Friday). Get the 2026 list in writing.
Do banks and mail closures affect my paycheck?
They can. USPS and many banks close on federal/observed days, which may delay payroll funding, direct deposits, and reimbursements.
Plan: Submit timecards early on holiday weeks. If payday falls on a holiday, expect payment the prior business day or the next, per your payroll provider’s schedule.
When should I request popular holiday PTO to improve my chances?
As early as your system allows, often 60–90 days ahead for Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week.
Tip: Know the tie-breaker (seniority, lottery, first-come). Offer coverage swaps to help managers approve your request.
Can I combine sick leave and PTO around holidays?
You shouldn’t plan sick time in advance. If you become ill near a holiday, normal sick-leave rules apply. Some employers restrict switching a pre-approved PTO day to sick leave after the fact.
Tip: Read the section in your handbook on “consecutive PTO + sick leave around holidays.”
I work in healthcare/retail/hospitality. How does PTO work when we stay open?
Holiday closures may not apply, but you may have holiday premium pay, comp time, or priority access to future PTO, all policy/contract based.
Ask your manager:
Do we pay a holiday premium or give a comp day?
How do shift bids work for holidays?
Are there blackout dates for PTO?
I’m remote in another state. Which holiday list applies to me?
Usually, your assigned work location or company-wide list. Some companies align holidays to your local state; others use HQ.
Action: Confirm with HR now so you know which USA official holidays 2026 dates your team will observe.
What happens if a holiday falls during my approved PTO week?
You’re typically not charged PTO for the holiday itself if the company is closed that day. The rest of the days still deduct from your PTO balance.
Do schools follow the same holiday schedule (for childcare planning)?
Mostly for the big days, yes, but districts add in-service days, breaks, and sometimes the Friday after Thanksgiving. Pull your district calendar now and match it to your PTO plan.
Any quick ways to avoid travel and childcare headaches?
Book peak holiday trips 6–12 weeks ahead.
Fly early morning or red-eye on heavy days (Tue/Wed before Thanksgiving, Sun after).
Line up backup childcare for mid-week holidays like Veterans Day (Wed, Nov 11, 2026).
Set bill pay and transfers to one business day earlier in holiday weeks.
Conclusion
Use USA official holidays 2026 as your base plan: note the exact dates, the observed Friday/Monday rules, and which services usually close (federal offices, USPS, many banks). Then layer on your own details, your employer’s holiday list, school calendar, and any travel or childcare plans. Put popular PTO requests in early, bridge holidays to weekends for longer breaks, and move payroll/bill payments up when a closure is coming. A few simple steps now will save you stress (and money) later.