| Holiday | Date | Observed | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Same day | January 1 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Mon, Jan 19 | Same day | Third Monday in January |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day) | Mon, Feb 16 | Same day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | Same day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Fri, Jun 19 | Same day | June 19 |
| Independence Day | Sat, Jul 4 | Fri, Jul 3 | July 4 |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | Same day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Mon, Oct 12 | Same day | Second Monday in October |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Same day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Same day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Same day | December 25 |
Source: 5 U.S.C. 6103 and OPM’s federal holiday schedule.
How the observed day is set
Most federal holidays are either fixed dates (Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day) or “Monday holidays” created by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. Monday holidays can never fall on a weekend. The fixed dates can, and then the Office of Personnel Management moves the day off: Saturday → the Friday before, Sunday → the Monday after.
In 2026 that affects Independence Day.
Thanksgiving is the only Thursday holiday, which is why so many employers add the Friday after it. Mark the dates on a printable 2026 calendar.
Other observances 2026
Not federal holidays, but widely marked.
| Groundhog Day | Mon, Feb 2 |
| Valentine's Day | Sat, Feb 14 |
| Mardi Gras | Tue, Feb 17 |
| St. Patrick's Day | Tue, Mar 17 |
| Easter Sunday | Sun, Apr 5 |
| Earth Day | Wed, Apr 22 |
| Mother's Day | Sun, May 10 |
| Father's Day | Sun, Jun 21 |
| Halloween | Sat, Oct 31 |
| Election Day | Tue, Nov 3 |
| Christmas Eve | Thu, Dec 24 |
| New Year's Eve | Thu, Dec 31 |
Questions about 2026 federal holidays
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026, set by 5 U.S.C. 6103.
Which 2026 federal holidays fall on a weekend?
Independence Day falls on a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, July 3, 2026.
What happens when a federal holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday?
Under Executive Order 11582 and OPM guidance, a Saturday holiday is observed on the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday on the following Monday for most full-time federal employees.
Do private employers have to give federal holidays off?
No. Federal holidays apply to federal employees and the District of Columbia. Private employers, schools and states set their own schedules, though banks and the stock markets follow most of them.