Federal holidays 2026 · United States
US federal holidays 2026
These are the 11 holidays the federal government observes, with the official rule applied: a holiday landing on Saturday is observed the Friday before, one landing on Sunday is observed the Monday after.
11 of 11 holidays fall on a weekday · 10 possible long weekends
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | |
| Memorial Day | |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | |
| Independence DayFalls on a Saturday: observed the Friday before. (official date: 2026-07-04). | |
| Labor Day | |
| Columbus Day | |
| Veterans Day | |
| Thanksgiving Day | |
| Christmas Day |
How to use this calendar
- Check the table: date, weekday, and whether it's the observed date or the actual one.
- Spot the possible long weekends to request time off ahead of time.
- Download the .ics file and import it into your calendar app.
What you're owed for working a federal holiday
Federal holidays only guarantee paid time off for federal employees; there's no US federal law requiring private employers to give holiday pay or premium pay for working one. Whatever you get — holiday pay, a floating day, time-and-a-half — comes from your employer's policy, your contract, or a union agreement, not from a nationwide rule.
Some states and cities have their own rules on holiday pay or premium pay for specific industries (retail, hospitality). Check your state's labor department and your employee handbook before assuming a rate.
Federal holidays and observed dates
All 11 holidays in this table are set by federal law (5 U.S. Code § 6103) for federal employees and banks; most private employers follow the same calendar, but it isn't mandatory for them.
When a fixed-date holiday like Independence Day or Christmas lands on a weekend, it is officially observed on the nearest weekday — that's the date this table shows, with the real date noted alongside it.
Planning long weekends around federal holidays
Several federal holidays are already set on a Monday (MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day), which gives a 3-day weekend by default without needing extra time off.
For shift workers, checking these dates months ahead makes it easier to trade shifts with coworkers before the schedule locks in.
Frequently asked questions
- How many federal holidays are there in the US?
- 11, including Juneteenth National Independence Day, added as a federal holiday in 2021.
- Do private employers have to give holiday pay?
- No — there's no federal law requiring it. Federal holidays guarantee paid time off only for federal employees; private-sector holiday pay depends entirely on your employer's policy or contract.
- What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
- It's observed on the nearest weekday: the Friday before if it falls on Saturday, or the Monday after if it falls on Sunday. This table shows that observed date.
- Are these the same holidays my state observes?
- Most states follow the federal calendar closely, but some add or substitute state-specific holidays. Check your state government's calendar to confirm.