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.
At a glance
United States has 11 official public holidays (11 days off) in 2026 and 9 long weekends; the longest break is Thanksgiving (Nov 26 – 29, 4 days).
| Public holidays | 11 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 11 |
| Longest break | Thanksgiving · 4 days (Nov 26 – 29) |
| Long weekends | 9 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 19, 2026), Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) (February 16, 2026), Memorial Day (May 25, 2026), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19, 2026), Independence Day (observed) (July 3, 2026), Independence Day (July 4, 2026), Labor Day (September 7, 2026), Columbus Day (October 12, 2026), Veterans Day (November 11, 2026), Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026)
Federal holidays
11
Observed shift
Jul 3 (Fri)
Three-day weekends
7
Thanksgiving
Nov 26
United States public holiday list
Filter by holiday type
Pick a type to narrow the table below. Every date stays on this page — choose All for the full list.
Showing 12 of 12 entries.
| 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 |
2026 United States calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
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.
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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.
What is the longest holiday break in United States in 2026?
The longest break in United States is Thanksgiving (Nov 26 – 29, 4 days).
What are the official public holidays in United States in 2026?
United States has 11 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 19, 2026), Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) (February 16, 2026), Memorial Day (May 25, 2026), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19, 2026), Independence Day (observed) (July 3, 2026), Independence Day (July 4, 2026), Labor Day (September 7, 2026), Columbus Day (October 12, 2026), Veterans Day (November 11, 2026), Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026).
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.
