This official 2026 federal holidays calendar for US public offices outlines all government-recognized federal holidays and when they are observed. Knowing these dates helps public offices, federal employees, contractors, and the general public plan operations, travel, and important deadlines around office closures and reduced services.
In 2026 there are 11 official federal holidays. On these days, most federal agencies are closed, many banks follow the same schedule, and courts and financial markets generally observe the same holiday framework.
Full List of 2026 US Federal Holidays for Public Offices
Here is the complete list of US federal holidays for calendar year 2026, including day of week and basic observance notes:
- New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. – Monday, January 19, 2026
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) – Monday, February 16, 2026
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2026
- Juneteenth National Independence Day – Friday, June 19, 2026
- Independence Day – Saturday, July 4, 2026 (observed Friday, July 3, 2026, for most federal employees)
- 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
These dates form the standard holiday schedule for federal public offices, and many state and local government agencies model their calendars on this same list.
Calendar View of 2026 Federal Holidays for US Public Offices
The following calendar-style recap shows when each official federal holiday falls, making it easier to identify long weekends and midweek closures.
January–June 2026
January 2026 Thu 1 – New Year’s Day Mon 19 – Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. February 2026 Mon 16 – Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) May 2026 Mon 25 – Memorial Day June 2026 Fri 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
July–December 2026
July 2026 Sat 4 – Independence Day (official date) Fri 3 – Independence Day observed for most federal employees September 2026 Mon 7 – Labor Day October 2026 Mon 12 – Columbus Day November 2026 Wed 11 – Veterans Day Thu 26 – Thanksgiving Day December 2026 Fri 25 – Christmas Day
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, public offices typically observe it on the preceding Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, observance usually shifts to the following Monday. Independence Day in 2026 is a good example of a Saturday holiday observed on Friday.
How 2026 Federal Holidays Affect US Public Offices
On the official federal holidays listed in this calendar, most US public offices and related services operate differently than on regular business days.
- Federal agencies: Generally closed to the public, with limited or no in-person services.
- Banks and financial systems: Many follow the same holiday schedule, affecting payments, transfers, and processing times.
- Courts: Federal courts and many state courts do not hold regular sessions on federal holidays.
- Mail and shipping: Regular US mail delivery is typically suspended on federal holidays.
- Hotlines and support lines: Government phone lines often switch to reduced or automated service during holiday closures.
Citizens, businesses, and organizations that rely on government services should avoid scheduling critical filings, applications, or in-person visits on these dates or on the immediate surrounding days when offices may be more crowded.
Planning Tips Using the Official 2026 Federal Holidays Calendar
You can use this official 2026 federal holidays calendar for US public offices as a practical planning tool throughout the year.
- For citizens: Schedule passport renewals, Social Security appointments, and other government visits on non-holiday weekdays to avoid delays.
- For businesses: Time key transactions, contract deadlines, and filings to avoid holiday-related processing gaps.
- For employees: Coordinate vacation requests around long weekends like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.
- For project managers: Build project timelines that avoid major milestones or launches on or near federal holidays.
Adding these 11 dates to your 2026 planner or digital calendar helps you see at a glance when public offices will be closed or operating differently, allowing smoother planning and fewer surprises.
Creating Your Own 2026 Federal Holiday Calendar for Public Offices
To make this information even more useful, you can turn the official dates into custom calendar tools for your team or organization:
- Design a one-page annual calendar that highlights all 11 federal holidays in bold or color.
- Add each holiday as an all-day event in shared calendars (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.) marked as “Office Closed.”
- Print monthly calendars for staff rooms or reception areas with federal holidays clearly labeled.
- Include short notes next to each date, such as “no mail,” “banks closed,” or “reduced phone support.”
With a clear, customized calendar built on the official 2026 federal holiday schedule, public offices and the people who use them can plan the year with confidence and clarity.
