US Long Weekends 2026
In 2026 the United States has nine federal long weekends. Eight Monday or Friday holidays each make a three-day weekend, and Thanksgiving anchors a four-day break. The headline quirk: Independence Day falls on Saturday July 4, so it is observed on Friday July 3 — a three-day weekend either way.
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
How the July 4 weekend works in 2026
Independence Day is fixed to July 4, but in 2026 that is a Saturday. Under federal rules a Saturday holiday is observed the Friday before, so most federal employees get Friday July 3 off — producing a Fri–Sun long weekend while July 4 remains the statutory date.
Note that federal holidays bind federal employees; states and private employers set their own paid days. See the US federal holidays 2026 page for every date, observed-day rules and the full-year calendar.
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 long weekends does the US have in 2026?+
Nine federal long weekends: eight three-day weekends (MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, observed Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Christmas) plus the four-day Thanksgiving break.
When is the July 4 long weekend in 2026?+
July 3–5, 2026 (Fri–Sun). July 4 falls on a Saturday, so the observed federal holiday is Friday, July 3.
Which 2026 US holidays make a three-day weekend?+
MLK Day (Jan 19), Presidents’ Day (Feb 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Labor Day (Sep 7) and Columbus Day (Oct 12) all fall on Mondays; Juneteenth (Jun 19), observed Independence Day (Jul 3) and Christmas Day (Dec 25) fall on Fridays.
How long is the Thanksgiving break in 2026?+
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. With the popular day off on Friday Nov 27, it becomes a four-day weekend through Sunday, Nov 29.
Where can I download the US 2026 holiday calendar?+
Our US 2026 federal holidays page and the holiday calendar downloads hub offer ICS and CSV files based on the OPM federal holiday schedule.