Calendar & Information of All U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026

In the United States, federal holidays are recognized by Congress and designated in Title V of the U.S. Code, Section 6103 — Holidays. This gives Congress the authority to create holidays for federal institutions. Did you know which four federal holidays were first established in 1880?

These were New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Over the years, additional federal holidays were created to remember or celebrate significant moments in the nation’s history and cultural developments.

In this article, Trip.com will walk you through the details for all the federal holidays in 2026. This includes the exact date and day of the week for each holiday, as well as suggestions to help you plan a long weekend. Lastly, we’ll also show you some of the fun things you can do during these important breaks! Before we start, let’s take a quick look at the list of 2026 federal holidays.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – A Quick Guide

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Holidays are essential breaks to maintain a work-life balance—and in 2026, there are 11 Federal holidays to look forward to in the upcoming year!

Below is the 2026 schedule of official U.S. federal holidays, as released by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

(Federal Holidays, opm.gov)

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026– New Year’s Day

January 01 2026, Thursday

If a holiday falls on a weekend, it might be observed the day before or the day after. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it’s observed on the Friday before. If it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is recognized as the holiday for compensation and leave purposes.

This extended break is the perfect chance to travel farther—time for an overseas vacation! Some of the most famous New Year celebrations in the world take place in Sydney (Australia), Edinburgh (Scotland), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). If you’d rather stay closer to home, you can join the renowned New Year celebrations in New York, too.

Source: Andreas Dress/ unsplash

Sydney is known for its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks event, which features two impressive fireworks shows.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 19, 2026

This goal came to fruition in 1983, when the King’s birthday was officially recognized as a national holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. However, due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, this holiday is moved to the third Monday of January every year. Enacted in 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was an Act of Congress that shifted several federal holidays to a Monday to create three-day weekends for federal employees. This act has also affected the date of several other holidays, which we will elaborate on later.

Since the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. falls on a Monday in 2026 (January 19), employees can create a 4-day long weekend by taking Friday, January 16, 2026, or Tuesday, January 20, 2026, off. Spend this holiday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta to learn more about this influential civil rights leader. If you’d rather explore from home, Trip.com also offers a virtual tour of the Martin Luther King Memorial.

Source: Unseen Histories / Unsplash

The Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. is a day to commemorate one of the most important leaders of the civil rights movements in the 1950s and 1960s

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Washington’s Birthday

Monday, February 16, 2026

Although the holiday’s official name is Washington’s Birthday, it’s more popularly known as President’s Day to honor other great American presidents such as Abraham Lincoln. Because of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Washington’s Birthday is observed on the third Monday of February each year.

With Washington’s Birthday falling on Monday, February 16, 2026, you can turn it into a 4-day break by taking Friday, February 13, 2026, or Tuesday, February 17, 2026, off. Take this opportunity to visit the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, home to the colossal sculptures of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Source: Steve O/ Unsplash

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota is home to the colossal sculpture of four great American presidents.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Memorial Day

Monday, May 25, 2026

As this holiday unofficially kicks off summer, many people celebrate with a classic barbecue gathering. Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year. In 2026, Memorial Day falls on May 25 (Monday), and employees can extend the long weekend by taking a day off on Friday, May 22, 2026, or Tuesday, May 26, 2026, to enjoy a 4-day break.

Source: Justin Casey/ Unsplash

Memorial Day is the day the nation pauses to honor U.S. soldiers who died while serving in the military.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Juneteenth National Independence Day

June 19 2026, Friday

Texas led the way, becoming the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980. In 2021, President Biden signed the bill that made Juneteenth the 11th federal holiday. In 2026, Juneteenth lands on Friday, June 19. Employees can turn it into a five-day long weekend by taking Thursday, June 18 and Monday, June 22 off, creating a break that runs from Thursday through Monday.

Source: Tasha Jolley/ Unsplash

Juneteenth National Independence Day is a nationwide celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Independence Day

Saturday, July 04, 2026

With Independence Day 2026 falling on a Saturday, employees can look forward to a long weekend, with the federal holiday observed on Friday, July 3, 2026. By taking Thursday, July 2, 2026, off, they can turn it into a 4-day break. Alternatively, employees can take July 6–8, 2026 (Monday to Wednesday), off to enjoy an extended 5-day holiday stretch from July 3 to July 8.

Source: Stephanie McCabe/ unsplash

Independence Day commemorates the 1776 Declaration of Independence, which established the United States of America.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Labor Day

Monday, September 07, 2026

Employees can extend the long weekend by taking a day off on Friday, September 4, 2026, or Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to enjoy a 4-day break. On this holiday, many people celebrate with barbecue parties, firework displays, and lively parades. One of the most iconic Labor Day events is the vibrant West Indian Day Parade Carnival held in Brooklyn! The holiday also marks the unofficial end of summer, making it a perfect time to enjoy family activities before the new school year begins.

Source: Paul Hermann/ unsplash

Plan one last barbecue bash on Labor Day before summer ends!

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Columbus Day

Monday, October 12, 2026

Thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday of October each year. In 2026, Columbus Day lands on Monday, October 12, and employees can turn the long weekend into a 4-day break by taking Friday, October 9, 2026, or Tuesday, October 13, 2026, off. One of the most popular events during this holiday is the Columbus Day Weekend Festival held at Federal Hill in Providence, Rhode Island.

Source: Blaz Erzetic / Unsplash

Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.5

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Veterans Day

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Show your support by attending a Veterans Day event near you or by donating to veteran-focused charities. Even a simple “thank you” to a veteran you know can mean a lot! Veterans Day is observed on November 11 each year. In 2026, it falls on a Wednesday, and employees can make it an extended long weekend by taking Monday, November 9, 2026, or Friday, November 13, 2026, off.

Source: Jessica Radanavong/ unsplash

Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.

U.S. Federal Holidays 2026 – Thanksgiving Day

Nov 26, 2026, Thursday

Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to gather with family and, of course, savor a delicious Thanksgiving feast! Visit Trip.com for more inspiring ideas on how to celebrate this holiday. Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November each year. In 2026, it falls on November 26 (Thursday), and employees can extend the holiday by taking Friday, November 27, 2026, off to enjoy a 4-day long weekend.

Source: krakenimages/ unsplash

The tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to the early 17th century, when the Pilgrims gathered for a feast to celebrate their first harvest on this land.

U.S. Federal Holidays in 2026 – Christmas Day

Dec 25, 2026, Friday

In recent years, more and more people have embraced this festive occasion as a secular holiday. Christmas Day falls on December 25, 2026 (Friday). Many employees choose to take Monday, December 28, 2026, off to create a 4-day long holiday, or combine it with additional days off for an extended festive break.

Source: Ibrahim Boran/ unsplash

Make your Christmas holiday magical with a visit to New York’s iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

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