United States Federal Holidays 2026
The United States has 11 federal holidays in 2026. The headline change: Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, so for most federal employees it is observed on Friday, July 3. Every other holiday lands on a weekday, and Thanksgiving anchors a four-day break.
Federal holidays
11
Observed shift
Jul 3 (Fri)
Three-day weekends
7
Thanksgiving
Nov 26
2026 United States calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
United States public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayFederal holiday | Federal holiday |
| January 19, 2026 | Monday | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.Third Monday of January.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| February 16, 2026 | Monday | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)Third Monday of February; widely known as Presidents’ Day.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Memorial DayLast Monday of May.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| June 19, 2026 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence DayFalls on a Friday in 2026, making a three-day weekend.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| July 3, 2026 | Friday | Independence Day (observed)Independence Day (Jul 4) falls on a Saturday, so most federal employees observe the holiday on Friday, Jul 3.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
| July 4, 2026 | Saturday | Independence DayThe statutory date is July 4 (a Saturday in 2026); it is observed on Friday, July 3.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| September 7, 2026 | Monday | Labor DayFirst Monday of September.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Columbus DaySecond Monday of October; observed as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many states.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Veterans DayFixed on November 11; falls on a Wednesday in 2026.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| November 26, 2026 | Thursday | Thanksgiving DayFourth Thursday of November; the following Friday is widely taken off too.Federal holiday | Federal holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayFederal holiday | Federal holiday |
United States long weekends in 2026
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
3 daysJan 17 – 19
Presidents' Day
3 daysFeb 14 – 16
Memorial Day
3 daysMay 23 – 25
Juneteenth
3 daysJun 19 – 21
Independence Day
3 daysJul 3 – 5
Fri–Sun: the Jul 3 observed holiday plus the weekend (Jul 4 is the statutory date).
Labor Day
3 daysSep 5 – 7
Columbus Day
3 daysOct 10 – 12
Thanksgiving
4 daysNov 26 – 29
Thu–Sun: Thanksgiving Thursday plus the popular Black Friday day off and the weekend.
Christmas Day
3 daysDec 25 – 27
Why July 3 is a holiday in 2026
Independence Day is fixed by law to July 4, but in 2026 that date is a Saturday. Under federal rules, when a holiday falls on a Saturday, employees on a Monday–Friday schedule observe it on the preceding Friday. So for most federal workers the day off is Friday, July 3, 2026, while July 4 remains the statutory holiday. The result is a three-day Independence Day weekend.
How observed (in-lieu) federal holidays work
For most federal employees (a Monday–Friday schedule), a holiday on a Saturday is observed the Friday before, and a holiday on a Sunday is observed the Monday after (per 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582). Fixed-date holidays — New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas — are the ones that can shift; the “Monday” holidays never need it.
Download & subscribe
Official sources & data
- Federal Holidays — 2026Visit sourceU.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Holidays Work Schedules and PayVisit sourceU.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Frequently asked questions
How many federal holidays does the United States have in 2026?+
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026, established by 5 U.S.C. 6103. One of them, Independence Day, is observed on a different day (Friday, July 3) because July 4 is a Saturday.
Is July 3, 2026 a federal holiday?+
Yes, in effect. Because Independence Day (July 4) is a Saturday, most federal employees get Friday, July 3 off as the observed holiday. July 4 remains the statutory date.
When is Thanksgiving 2026?+
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. The following Friday is widely taken off, creating a four-day weekend for many.
Which 2026 federal holidays make three-day weekends?+
The Monday holidays — MLK Day (Jan 19), Presidents’ Day (Feb 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Labor Day (Sep 7) and Columbus Day (Oct 12) — plus Juneteenth on Friday (Jun 19) and the observed Independence Day (Jul 3) all create three-day weekends.
Do all states and employers follow these dates?+
Federal holidays apply to federal employees nationwide. States set their own holidays and may add days or rename them, and private employers decide their own paid holidays — so check your state and employer calendar.
