Written by Jordan Keller
Planning time off in advance can make a big difference, especially for federal workers, families scheduling school breaks, or anyone booking travel around long weekends. The official U.S. federal holiday calendar for 2026 outlines when federal offices will close â and when holidays shift because they fall on a weekend.
Key points
- There are 11 official federal holidays in 2026.
- Independence Day is observed on Friday, July 3, since July 4 falls on a Saturday.
- Federal holidays apply primarily to federal employees; private-sector observance varies.
- Observed dates matter for banks, courts, mail services, and government offices.
Here is the complete list of federal holidays in 2026, including the correct observed dates used by federal offices.
- New Yearâs Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Presidentsâ Day (Washingtonâs Birthday): Monday, February 16, 2026
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: Friday, June 19, 2026
- Independence Day (Observed): Friday, July 3, 2026
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026
- Columbus Day: Monday, October 12, 2026
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026
Why Independence Day is observed on July 3 in 2026
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, federal offices observe it on the preceding Friday. Since July 4, 2026, lands on a Saturday, the official day off becomes Friday, July 3. While celebrations and fireworks may still take place on July 4, many federal buildings, courts, and agencies will be closed the day before.
Do federal holidays apply to everyone?
Federal holidays guarantee time off for federal employees, but they do not automatically apply to private businesses, schools, or state and local governments. Many employers follow the federal calendar, but policies differ widely by industry. Hospitals, retail, transportation, and emergency services often operate on modified schedules.
What about extra holidays around Christmas?
There has been public discussion about additional holiday observances around Christmas in recent years, but for 2026, the official federal calendar remains limited to the 11 holidays listed above. Any future changes would need to be formally adopted and added to the federal schedule.
Best long weekends to plan in 2026
- January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 19)
- February: Presidentsâ Day (Monday, Feb. 16)
- May: Memorial Day (Monday, May 25)
- September: Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7)
- October: Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12)
These built-in three-day weekends make 2026 relatively travel-friendly for federal workers and families planning ahead.
For readers who want to double-check dates or confirm closures, the official source for the federal holiday calendar is the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which publishes the authoritative list of federal holidays and explains how âobservedâ days work when holidays fall on weekends.
You may also like: More US calendar and public holiday guides on Swikblog
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
