At a Glance
- 2026 will feature 11 federal holidays that close federal offices.
- January 1, 2026 is New Year’s Day, the first holiday of the year.
- Inauguration Day falls on January 20, 2025 and will next occur in 2029.
- Why it matters: Knowing the dates helps plan travel, business, and school schedules.
The U.S. federal government observes 11 specific holidays each year, closing most federal offices, banks, and schools. In 2026, these holidays span from New Year’s Day in January to Christmas Day in December, with an additional special holiday-Inauguration Day-that occurs only every four years.
The 11 Federal Holidays
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
2026 Holiday Calendar
| Holiday | Date | Observed? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, Jan. 1 | – |
| Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday | Monday, Jan. 19 | – |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | Monday, Feb. 16 | – |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | – |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Friday, June 19 | – |
| Independence Day | Friday, July 3 (Observed) | – |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sept. 7 | – |
| Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day) | Monday, Oct. 12 | – |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, Nov. 11 | – |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, Nov. 26 | – |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec. 25 | – |
The table lists each holiday’s exact date in 2026, showing the day of the week and whether it is observed on a different day when it falls on a weekend.
Inauguration Day
The Inauguration Day holiday is observed only in Washington, D.C., and only every four years. The most recent inauguration was on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, and the next will be on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2029.
Key Takeaways
- 11 federal holidays close most government offices each year.
- 2026 dates range from January 1 to December 25, with Independence Day observed on July 3.
- Inauguration Day is a unique, quadrennial holiday in D.C.
This calendar helps you plan around federal holidays, ensuring you know when offices and schools will be closed and when special observances occur.
This story first appeared on News Of Fort Worth.
