United States Public Holidays 2026: Full List and Dates
The United States has 11 federal holidays in 2026. Federal holidays apply to federal employees and close banks, post offices and the stock market — but they’re not automatically days off in the private sector. Most states observe all 11, and many add their own.
The dates that matter most for planning are the ones that create long weekends. In 2026 there are five — and Independence Day gives you a fourth by falling on a Saturday.
US federal holidays 2026 — full calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | — |
| 19 January | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday of January |
| 16 February | Monday | Washington’s Birthday | Third Monday of February; widely called Presidents’ Day |
| 25 May | Monday | Memorial Day | Last Monday of May |
| 19 June | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day | — |
| 3 July | Friday | Independence Day (observed) | 4 July falls on a Saturday |
| 7 September | Monday | Labor Day | First Monday of September |
| 12 October | Monday | Columbus Day | Second Monday of October; called Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many states |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Veterans Day | — |
| 26 November | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday of November |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | — |
How the rules work: when a federal holiday falls on a Saturday it’s observed the preceding Friday; when it falls on a Sunday it’s observed the following Monday. That’s why Independence Day is observed on Friday 3 July in 2026.
Long weekends in 2026
- 17–19 January — MLK Jr. Day (Sat–Mon)
- 14–16 February — Washington’s Birthday (Sat–Mon)
- 23–25 May — Memorial Day (Sat–Mon)
- 3–5 July — Independence Day (Fri–Sun), a rare Friday long weekend
- 5–7 September — Labor Day (Sat–Mon)
- 10–12 October — Columbus Day (Sat–Mon)
- 26–29 November — Thanksgiving (Thu–Sun), four days with no leave needed
Juneteenth (19 June) and Veterans Day (11 November) both fall midweek in 2026, so neither creates a long weekend without a bridge day.
Independence Day and Thanksgiving: the two peaks
Domestic travel in the US concentrates into a handful of windows, and these are the two biggest. Flights and rental cars for the July 4th weekend and the Thanksgiving week are the most expensive of the year, and they sell out earliest. If you’re travelling domestically on either, book three to four months out.
Christmas and New Year
Christmas Day falls on Friday in 2026, which hands most people a three-day weekend without taking leave — and a four-day one if Boxing Day isn’t observed but the following Monday is taken. Note that 26 December is a Saturday, so there’s no automatic substitute day in most US states.
State holidays worth knowing
Beyond the federal 11, states add their own — and they’re not uniform. The ones that most often catch travellers out:
- Patriots’ Day (third Monday of April) — Massachusetts and Maine only
- Texas Independence Day (2 March) and San Jacinto Day (21 April) — Texas
- Cesar Chavez Day (31 March) — California and a few others
- Day after Thanksgiving — a holiday in around 20 states
- Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve — partial or full holidays in roughly a dozen states
If you’re planning travel around a specific state’s calendar, check that state’s official list rather than relying on the federal one.
Frequently asked questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 US federal holidays in 2026. They are New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Is 3 July 2026 a holiday?
Yes. Independence Day falls on Saturday 4 July 2026, so it is observed on Friday 3 July for federal employees.
Do banks close on federal holidays?
Yes — most banks and the stock market close on all 11 federal holidays. Retail stores, restaurants and many private employers generally stay open.
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving Day 2026 falls on Thursday 26 November, with the traditional shopping weekend following.
Our sources
Dates verified against 5 U.S.C. § 6103 and the US Office of Personnel Management federal holiday schedule. Last reviewed: 15 October 2026.