What Is a Federal Holiday?
A federal holiday is a day designated by law (5 U.S.C. 6103) on which most federal government offices are closed and federal employees receive a paid day off. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes the official schedule each year. There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. Most private businesses, banks, and financial markets also observe these dates, though they are not legally required to.
2026 Federal Holidays Schedule
The following table lists the official 2026 federal holidays as designated by OPM.
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 19, 2026 | Monday |
| Washington’s Birthday* | February 16, 2026 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 25, 2026 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19, 2026 | Friday |
| Independence Day** | July 3, 2026 (observed) | Friday |
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 12, 2026 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26, 2026 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday |
*Widely referred to as “Presidents’ Day,” though its official designation under 5 U.S.C. 6103(a) is Washington’s Birthday.
**Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Under federal law, when a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed the preceding Friday — so federal offices will close on Friday, July 3, 2026.
How Observed Dates Work
- If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is typically observed the preceding Friday.
- If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed the following Monday.
Holiday Pay and Work Schedule Rules for Federal Employees
OPM’s holiday pay and work schedule rules (Title 5, U.S. Code) go beyond just which days are observed. A few provisions are especially relevant for federal employees:
Holiday Premium Pay
Employees who are required to work during their scheduled hours on a designated holiday generally receive holiday premium pay — regular pay plus an equal amount of premium pay for those hours, effectively doubling their hourly rate for time worked, up to 8 hours. Employees on annual premium pay for standby duty, and those with intermittent work schedules, are not eligible for this premium.
“In Lieu Of” Holidays
When a holiday falls on a full-time employee’s nonworkday, the employee is entitled to an “in lieu of” holiday on a different day — typically the preceding workday. This applies to employees on standard, flexible, and compressed work schedules alike. Part-time and intermittent employees are not entitled to an “in lieu of” holiday, though agencies may grant excused absence at their discretion if the office is closed.
Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees receive holiday pay only for hours they are otherwise scheduled to work on the holiday (up to 8 hours) — not a full 8-hour holiday credit regardless of schedule, and not an “in lieu of” day if the holiday falls on a day they weren’t scheduled to work.
For the full rules, see OPM’s official fact sheets: Federal Holidays – Work Schedules and Pay and Federal Holidays – “In Lieu Of” Determination.
2027 Federal Holidays (Preview)
Federal holiday dates are set by law well in advance — either as a fixed calendar date or a specific weekday of the month — so next year’s schedule can be calculated now, even before OPM’s official annual notice is published. Here’s a look ahead at 2027:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2027 | Friday |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 18, 2027 | Monday |
| Washington’s Birthday* | February 15, 2027 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day** | June 18, 2027 (observed) | Friday |
| Independence Day** | July 5, 2027 (observed) | Monday |
| Labor Day | September 6, 2027 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | October 11, 2027 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2027 | Thursday |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 25, 2027 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day** | December 24, 2027 (observed) | Friday |
*Washington’s Birthday is widely known as “Presidents’ Day.”
**In 2027, Juneteenth (June 19) falls on a Saturday and is observed Friday, June 18. Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Sunday and is observed Monday, July 5. Christmas Day (December 25) falls on a Saturday and is observed Friday, December 24.
Note: January 20, 2027 is not a Presidential Inauguration Day — that holiday applies only every fourth year (2025, 2029, and so on) for employees in the Washington, DC area.
Presidential Inauguration Day
Every fourth year following a presidential election, federal employees who work in the “Inauguration Day Area” are entitled to a holiday on January 20th, when a president is inaugurated (5 U.S.C. 6103(c)). This does not apply in 2026, since it is not an inauguration year, but is included here for reference.
The Inauguration Day Area includes:
- The District of Columbia
- Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland
- Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia
- The cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax, Virginia
Employees are entitled to the holiday only if they are otherwise scheduled to work in the Inauguration Day Area that day. Employees who telework outside the area, or who are in travel status away from the area, are generally not entitled to the holiday. If January 20th falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed the following Monday; if it falls on a Saturday, it is observed that Saturday with no “in lieu of” day.