Workers in the state of Washington can look forward to several official state holidays in 2026. These holidays reflect the state’s commitment to honoring important historical and cultural milestones while providing valuable opportunities for rest, recreation, and time with family.
Beyond offering a break from the regular work routine, Washington’s public holidays promote work life balance, cultural appreciation, and reflection on the events and individuals that have shaped both state and national history.
It’s important for employees to stay informed about any official updates or policy changes, as holiday observances can occasionally vary by year or employer.
Washington Official Holidays – 2026
-
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1
-
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19
-
Presidents Day – Monday, February 16
-
Memorial Day – Monday, May 25
-
Juneteenth – Friday, June 19
-
Independence Day – Saturday, July 4 (observed Friday, July 3)
-
Labor Day – Monday, September 7
-
Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11
-
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26
-
Native American Heritage Day – Friday, November 27
-
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
Holiday Policies in the Public and Private Sectors
Public Sector
Public sector employees in Washington State typically observe all official state holidays listed above. These are paid holidays as defined by state law, meaning government offices, public schools, and most state agencies are closed.
Commonly observed holidays include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Day, and Christmas Day.
Public employees benefit from consistent, legally recognized holiday time off designed to ensure fair and uniform leave policies across state departments.
Private Sector
In contrast, private employers in Washington are not legally required to provide paid leave on state or federal holidays. Each business can decide which holidays to recognize and how to compensate employees working on those days.
Some companies offer paid holidays, while others provide holiday pay premiums (such as 1.5x hourly rates) or allow employees to take floating holidays at their discretion.
This flexibility enables private sector employers to adapt their leave policies to best fit their operational needs, workplace culture, and employee preferences.
Willingness to Comply and Internal Policy
Private employers who choose to provide holiday pay or time off must adhere to their established policies and employment agreements. Transparency in company handbooks or contracts helps ensure that workers clearly understand which holidays are recognized and how they will be compensated.
Salary Based and Non Exempt Employees
While paid holiday leave is not mandated by Washington State law, many private employers include it as part of a competitive compensation package especially for salaried or full time non exempt workers. Paid time off on state holidays is often used to attract and retain employees, reflecting the employer’s commitment to a healthy work life balance.
Summary
In Washington State, holiday observance and benefits differ between the public and private sectors:
-
Public employees are generally guaranteed paid time off for all official state holidays.
-
Private employees receive holiday benefits based on their employer’s internal policies.
This distinction highlights the flexibility of Washington’s employment environment, where both sectors can tailor their approach to reflect operational needs and employee satisfaction.
As 2026 approaches, workers across the state can look forward to a series of meaningful holidays each one an opportunity to rest, reflect, and celebrate Washington’s rich cultural and historical legacy.