Public holidays in United States (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: The United States has 11 federal legal public holidays, set by 5 U.S.C. § 6103 for federal employees. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, federal employees on a Monday to Friday week observe the Friday before. Rules for private employers and shops were not found at national level.

RuleWhat applies
National public holidaysPublic holidaysFederal law lists 11 legal public holidays: New Year's Day (1 January), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (19 June), Independence Day (4 July), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (11 November), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (25 December). In 2026 the OPM dates are 1 Jan, 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 25 May, 19 Jun, 3 Jul (observed), 7 Sep, 12 Oct, 11 Nov, 26 Nov and 25 Dec. [1]
Number of national public holidaysPublic holidaysThe list in 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a) has 11 holidays. Inauguration Day (20 January every fourth year) is added only for certain employees in the Washington area; the next is in 2029. [1]
Shop opening on public holidaysPublic holidays⚠ Not yet verified
Holiday falling on a weekendPublic holidaysFor federal employees on a Monday to Friday week, a holiday on a Saturday is observed on the Friday before (5 U.S.C. § 6103(b)(1)). OPM says a holiday on a Sunday is usually observed on the Monday. In 2026, 4 July is a Saturday and Independence Day is observed on Friday 3 July. [2]
Working on a public holidayPublic holidaysFederal employees who are required to work on a federal holiday receive their basic pay plus holiday premium pay equal to basic pay, that is 200% for each hour of holiday work (5 U.S.C. 5546(b); 5 CFR 550.131(a)). This applies to employees covered by title 5 of the U.S. Code. The source does not cover private employers. [3]

Notes

  • These are the legal public holidays for federal employees. Federal law sets no public holidays for private employers, and each state sets its own state holidays.
  • No national rule on shop opening on these days was found. Opening is a matter for states and localities.
  • This rule is set by federal law for federal employees. Private employers are not covered by this source.

Sources

  1. U.S. Government Publishing Office (U.S. Code): 5 U.S.C. § 6103 - Holidays (U.S.C. Title 5, 2023 edition) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal Holidays (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Holidays, Work Schedules, and Pay (OPM fact sheet) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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