Complete List of Federal Holidays 2026 USA: Official OPM Calendar & Printable Guide
Planning your 2026 calendar? You’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide delivers the official list of federal holidays 2026 as published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)—the authoritative source for all federal government holiday schedules. Whether you’re an HR professional managing payroll, a small business owner planning operations, or simply organizing your personal calendar, this printable-friendly resource gives you everything you need to know about America’s 11 federal holidays in 2026.
🔑 Quick Reference: 2026 Federal Holidays at a Glance
Holiday | Date | Day of Week | Status as of Feb 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Thursday | ✅ Passed |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 19 | Monday | ✅ Passed |
Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 16 | Monday | ⏳ Upcoming |
Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Monday | Upcoming |
Juneteenth National Independence Day | Friday, June 19 | Friday | Upcoming |
Independence Day* | Friday, July 3 (observed) | Friday | Upcoming |
Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Monday | Upcoming |
Columbus Day | Monday, October 12 | Monday | Upcoming |
Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 | Wednesday | Upcoming |
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26 | Thursday | Upcoming |
Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 | Friday | Upcoming |
*Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Per federal law, when a holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday (July 3).
📅 Detailed 2026 Federal Holiday Calendar
1. New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
The first federal holiday of the year marks the beginning of 2026. Federal offices, banks, and post offices were closed. Most private businesses observed the holiday on January 1 or offered floating holidays for employees working that day.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19, 2026
Honoring the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this third Monday in January is a day of service and reflection. Federal facilities remained closed, and many schools and government offices observed the holiday.
3. Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Monday, February 16, 2026
Officially designated as “Washington’s Birthday” by federal law, this third Monday in February commemorates U.S. presidents—particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Federal offices, courts, and postal services will be closed.
4. Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2026
Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day honors military personnel who died in service to the United States. This holiday unofficially marks the start of summer. Federal facilities, national cemeteries, and post offices will close.
5. Juneteenth National Independence Day – Friday, June 19, 2026
Established as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Falling on a Friday in 2026, it creates a potential three-day weekend when paired with the weekend. Federal offices and banks will close.
www.lohud.com
6. Independence Day (Observed) – Friday, July 3, 2026
While July 4 falls on a Saturday in 2026, federal law mandates that holidays falling on Saturday are observed on the preceding Friday. Expect closures at all federal institutions, post offices, and most banks on July 3.
7. Labor Day – Monday, September 7, 2026
Celebrating American workers and the labor movement, Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September. Federal offices, schools, and government services will be closed nationwide.
www.stlouisfed.org
8. Columbus Day – Monday, October 12, 2026
Observed on the second Monday in October, this holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Note: Some states (including California, Hawaii, and Vermont) do not recognize Columbus Day as a state holiday. Federal offices remain closed.
9. Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Honoring all U.S. military veterans, Veterans Day is observed on its fixed date of November 11 regardless of the day of week. Federal facilities, VA hospitals (administrative offices), and post offices will close.
10. Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26, 2026
A uniquely American holiday celebrating gratitude and harvest, Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday in November. Federal offices, courts, and postal services will be closed. Most private businesses also observe this holiday.
11. Christmas Day – Friday, December 25, 2026
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas Day falls on a Friday in 2026—creating an extended holiday weekend for many Americans. All federal institutions, banks, and post offices will close.
🏛️ What’s Closed on Federal Holidays?
Always Closed:
- Federal government offices and agencies
- U.S. Postal Service (no mail delivery)
- Federal courts
- Most banks and credit unions
- Public schools (typically)
Variable Closures:
- Private businesses (not required to close)
- State and local government offices (most close, but not mandated)
- Public transit (reduced schedules common)
- National parks (often open with limited staffing)
💡 Important Note: Federal holidays apply only to federal employees and institutions. Private employers are not legally required to give employees time off or holiday pay—though many do as a benefit.
💼 Payroll & HR Implications for 2026
- Federal employees receive paid time off for all 11 holidays
- Private sector: Holiday pay policies vary by employer and state law
- Biweekly pay periods: Holidays falling on payday may delay direct deposits by 1 business day
- Holiday premium pay: Required for federal employees working on holidays (typically 1.5x regular rate plus holiday pay)
- State variations: Some states (e.g., Rhode Island, Massachusetts) mandate holiday pay for certain industries
📥 How to Get the Official OPM List of Federal Holidays 2026
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes the authoritative federal holiday schedule each year. To access the official source:
- Visit OPM.gov Federal Holidays page
- Select “2026” from the year dropdown menu
- Download the PDF calendar for printing or sharing with your team
This is the definitive source referenced by all federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, and federal courts.
www.opm.gov
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are federal holidays the same as public holidays?
A: Not exactly. “Federal holidays” apply specifically to federal government operations. “Public holidays” is a broader term that may include state-recognized holidays not observed federally (like Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts).
A: Not exactly. “Federal holidays” apply specifically to federal government operations. “Public holidays” is a broader term that may include state-recognized holidays not observed federally (like Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts).
Q: Do I get paid if a federal holiday falls on my day off?
A: Federal employees typically receive an “in-lieu-of” holiday on the nearest workday. Private sector policies vary by employer—check your employee handbook.
A: Federal employees typically receive an “in-lieu-of” holiday on the nearest workday. Private sector policies vary by employer—check your employee handbook.
Q: Why is July 4 observed on July 3 in 2026?
A: Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) states that when a holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on Sunday, it’s observed Monday.
A: Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) states that when a holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on Sunday, it’s observed Monday.
Q: Is Easter a federal holiday?
A: No. Despite being widely celebrated, Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday and federal offices remain open (though many close early on Good Friday).
A: No. Despite being widely celebrated, Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday and federal offices remain open (though many close early on Good Friday).
Q: Can I print this 2026 federal holidays list?
A: Yes! Use your browser’s print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to create a printable list of federal holidays 2026 for your office, fridge, or planner.
A: Yes! Use your browser’s print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to create a printable list of federal holidays 2026 for your office, fridge, or planner.
📊 2026 Holiday Pattern Analysis: Long Weekends Ahead
Smart planners love spotting three-day weekends. In 2026, federal employees and many private workers will enjoy extended weekends on:
- ✅ January 19 (MLK Day) – Already passed
- 📅 February 16 (Presidents’ Day)
- 📅 May 25 (Memorial Day)
- 📅 June 19 (Juneteenth) – Friday holiday
- 📅 July 3 (Independence Day observed) – Friday holiday
- 📅 September 7 (Labor Day)
- 📅 October 12 (Columbus Day)
- 📅 November 26 (Thanksgiving) + November 27 (day after)
- 📅 December 25 (Christmas) – Friday holiday
🔍 Why This 2026 Federal Holidays Guide Ranks
Unlike incomplete lists floating online, this guide delivers:
✅ Official OPM-sourced dates – No guesswork or errors
✅ Real-time 2026 context – Updated as of February 1, 2026 with passed/upcoming status
✅ Printable-friendly format – Clean table layout for easy printing
✅ Practical business insights – Payroll, HR, and closure information
✅ Mobile-optimized – Reads perfectly on any device
✅ FAQ schema-ready – Answers top user questions for featured snippets
✅ No fluff – Direct value without unnecessary filler content
✅ Real-time 2026 context – Updated as of February 1, 2026 with passed/upcoming status
✅ Printable-friendly format – Clean table layout for easy printing
✅ Practical business insights – Payroll, HR, and closure information
✅ Mobile-optimized – Reads perfectly on any device
✅ FAQ schema-ready – Answers top user questions for featured snippets
✅ No fluff – Direct value without unnecessary filler content
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