Public Holidays in United States 2026 – Federal Holiday Dates
Public holidays in the United States are primarily discussed as federal holidays, but federal, state, local and private-sector holiday policies are not always the same. The 2026 federal schedule contains 11 holiday dates for most federal employees. States and the District of Columbia may recognize additional holidays, while private employers and school systems can follow their own calendars and policies.
Next Public Holiday in United States
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Columbus Day | Officially Scheduled |
Public Holidays in United States 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Officially Scheduled |
| January 19, 2026 | Monday | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Officially Scheduled |
| February 16, 2026 | Monday | Washington’s Birthday | Officially Scheduled |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Memorial Day | Officially Scheduled |
| June 19, 2026 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Officially Scheduled |
| July 3, 2026 | Friday | Independence Day | Officially Scheduled – Observed |
| September 7, 2026 | Monday | Labor Day | Officially Scheduled |
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Columbus Day | Officially Scheduled |
| November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Officially Scheduled |
| November 26, 2026 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Officially Scheduled |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Officially Scheduled |
The main schedule above follows the U.S. Office of Personnel Management federal holiday calendar. OPM publishes the dates applicable to federal employees and explains how holidays are observed when they fall on weekends.
Federal Holidays vs State and Local Holidays in the United States
Federal holidays and state holidays should not be treated as one nationwide category. Federal law establishes holidays for federal employees, while states and the District of Columbia may recognize additional holidays of their own.
USAGov notes that state and local holiday calendars can include occasions such as Emancipation Day or Indigenous Peoples Day. A holiday recognized by one state or city does not automatically become a nationwide federal holiday.
This distinction is especially important when checking whether schools, courts, state offices or local government services will be open. Their schedules may differ from the federal calendar.
How Observed Federal Holidays Work in the United States
For most federal employees working a Monday-to-Friday schedule, a federal holiday that falls on Saturday is generally observed on the preceding Friday. A holiday that falls on Sunday is generally observed on the following Monday.
This rule affects Independence Day in 2026. July 4 falls on a Saturday, so OPM lists Friday, July 3, 2026 as the Independence Day holiday for most federal employees.
Employees with alternative schedules can be subject to more specific “in lieu of” holiday rules. OPM provides separate guidance for federal employees whose regular nonworkdays do not follow the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Washington’s Birthday or Presidents Day?
The official federal holiday on the third Monday in February is Washington’s Birthday. “Presidents Day” is widely used by states, businesses and the public, but it is not the statutory federal name used by OPM.
For consistency with the official federal schedule, the VisaBoards database uses Washington’s Birthday for the 2026 holiday.
Long Weekends in the United States in 2026
For someone following a standard Saturday-Sunday weekend and the federal holiday calendar, eight federal holidays create three-day weekends in 2026 without taking an additional day of leave:
- January 17–19: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- February 14–16: Washington’s Birthday
- May 23–25: Memorial Day
- June 19–21: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- July 3–5: Independence Day observed
- September 5–7: Labor Day
- October 10–12: Columbus Day
- December 25–27: Christmas Day
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26. The following Friday is not itself a federal holiday, although individual employers may choose to close or provide time off.
Are Government Offices Closed on Federal Holidays?
Most federal employees are entitled to paid holiday time off on designated federal holidays, although essential services and some federal workplaces continue operating. Federal employees required to work during designated holiday hours may qualify for holiday premium pay under applicable federal rules.
The Office of Personnel Management holiday pay guidance explains federal employee holiday schedules, paid time off, in-lieu-of holidays and premium pay.
State, county and municipal government offices follow their own applicable holiday calendars, so a federal holiday does not by itself determine every government office closure in the country.
Do Private Companies Have to Close on Federal Holidays?
No. Federal holidays do not generally require private businesses in the United States to close or give employees the day off.
The U.S. Department of Labor states that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked because of a federal or other holiday. Holiday leave and holiday pay are generally matters of agreement between an employer and employee, subject to other applicable employment laws and contracts.
This means shops, restaurants, offices and other private businesses may remain open even when federal offices are observing a holiday.
Are Banks Closed on Federal Holidays in the United States?
Banking schedules should not be assumed to match the federal employee holiday calendar exactly. The Federal Reserve System publishes its own official holiday schedule, and individual financial institutions may set their own branch operating hours.
A useful example occurs on Independence Day in 2026. The Federal Reserve holiday schedule notes that July 4 falls on Saturday. Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open on the preceding Friday, July 3, while the Board of Governors is closed.
Customers should therefore check their own bank’s schedule when a transaction or branch visit falls near a federal holiday.
Are Schools Closed on Federal Holidays?
There is no single nationwide school holiday calendar that automatically closes every U.S. school on every federal holiday. Education in the United States is primarily a state and local responsibility, so school calendars are generally established by states, school districts and individual institutions.
The U.S. Department of Education explains that education is primarily a state and local responsibility. Families and students should therefore check the calendar issued by their school or district rather than relying only on the federal holiday schedule.
Why Is Inauguration Day Not in the 2026 Holiday Table?
USAGov includes Inauguration Day in its general list of federal holidays because it applies on January 20 every four years following a presidential election and covers eligible federal employees in the Washington, D.C. area.
There is no Inauguration Day in 2026. The official OPM 2026 schedule therefore contains the 11 federal holidays shown in the VisaBoards holiday table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in the United States?
The next holiday changes during the year. Use the “Next Public Holiday in United States” section near the top of this page for the current holiday, date and countdown.
How many federal holiday dates are there in the United States in 2026?
OPM’s 2026 schedule contains 11 federal holiday dates. Inauguration Day is not included because 2026 is not an inauguration year.
Are U.S. federal holidays the same in every state?
The federal holiday schedule is nationwide for covered federal employees, but states and local governments can recognize additional holidays or use different names and observance rules.
What happens when a federal holiday falls on a weekend?
For most Monday-to-Friday federal employees, a Saturday holiday is generally observed on the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday on the following Monday. Different rules can apply to alternative work schedules.
Is Presidents Day an official federal holiday?
The official federal name is Washington’s Birthday. Presidents Day is a commonly used name adopted by various states, businesses and organizations.
Do private employers have to give workers federal holidays off?
No general federal rule requires private employers to give employees time off for federal holidays. Holiday leave and holiday pay generally depend on employer policy, contracts and applicable state law.
Is holiday pay mandatory for private employees?
The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require private employers to pay employees for time not worked on a holiday. Employers may still provide paid holidays as an employment benefit.
Are state holidays included in the main United States holiday table?
No. The main VisaBoards schedule focuses on the federal holiday calendar. State and local holidays are kept separate so a regional holiday is not presented as a nationwide holiday.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in United States
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Federal Holidays: verifies the official 2026 federal holiday dates, holiday names and weekend observance rule.
- USAGov – American Holidays: explains federal holidays and the distinction between federal, state, local and other observances.
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Holidays, Work Schedules and Pay: explains paid holiday time, in-lieu-of holidays and federal employee holiday premium pay.
- U.S. Department of Labor – Holiday Pay: explains federal rules concerning holiday leave and holiday pay for private-sector workers.
- Federal Reserve Board – Holidays Observed: provides the Federal Reserve System holiday calendar and banking-operation exceptions.
- U.S. Department of Education – Federal Role in Education: explains why school policies and calendars are primarily determined at state and local levels.
For broader information about visas, jobs, institutions, scholarships and travel, visit the VisaBoards United States country guide.
