United States (US)
The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Region: Americas
Language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 75)
Emergency: 911
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Public Holidays 2026
15 holidays in United States. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
New Year's Day
Federal holiday. Thursday. Banks, government offices, post offices, and stock markets closed. Most retail stores and restaurants remain open with reduced hours.
Mon 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Public Holiday
MLK Day
Federal holiday — third Monday of January. Honours the civil rights leader. Banks, federal offices, post offices, and most schools closed. Stock markets closed. Many employers observe; retail and restaurants usually open.
February 2026
Mon 16
Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) Public Holiday
Presidents' Day
Federal holiday — third Monday of February. Officially "Washington's Birthday" but commonly called Presidents' Day. Banks, federal offices, and most schools closed. Major retail sales (mattresses, cars, appliances).
March 2026
Tue 31
Cesar Chavez Day Optional
Cesar Chavez Day
State holiday in California, Colorado, and Texas (optional observance). Honours the farmworker labour leader. State government offices closed in California. Other states and federal government remain open.
April 2026
Mon 20
Patriots' Day Optional
Patriots' Day
State holiday — Massachusetts and Maine only (third Monday of April). Commemorates Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Boston Marathon is run on this day. Schools and state offices closed in MA/ME only.
May 2026
Mon 25
Memorial Day Public Holiday
Memorial Day
Federal holiday — last Monday of May. Honours US military personnel who died in service. Unofficial start of summer. Banks, post offices closed. Huge travel weekend. Retail sales, BBQs, parades.
June 2026
Fri 19
Juneteenth National Independence Day Public Holiday
Juneteenth
Federal holiday (since 2021). Commemorates the end of slavery in the US on June 19, 1865. Federal offices and banks closed. Friday in 2026. Increasingly observed by private employers.
July 2026
Sat 4
Independence Day Public Holiday
Fourth of July
Federal holiday — the actual date falls on Saturday in 2026, so federal workers observe on Friday, July 3. Banks closed Friday. Nationwide fireworks, BBQs, parades. Most retail open; many offices close or shorten hours on July 3.
Fri 3
Independence Day (observed) Public Holiday
Fourth of July Observed
Friday. Federal employees observe Independence Day on this day because July 4 falls on a Saturday. Banks and federal offices closed. Many private employers also observe.
September 2026
Mon 7
Labor Day Public Holiday
Labor Day
Federal holiday — first Monday of September. Honours American workers. Unofficial end of summer. Banks, federal offices, and most schools closed. Major retail sales weekend. After Labor Day, "white clothing" season traditionally ends (dated rule).
October 2026
Mon 12
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Public Holiday
Columbus Day
Federal holiday — second Monday of October. Banks and federal offices closed but many state and local governments no longer observe. Increasingly called Indigenous Peoples' Day and observed as such in many states and cities. Stock markets open; most schools open.
November 2026
Wed 11
Veterans Day Public Holiday
Veterans Day
Federal holiday — fixed November 11. Honours all US military veterans (living and deceased). Wednesday in 2026. Banks and federal offices closed. Most schools open but host ceremonies. Stock markets open.
Thu 26
Thanksgiving Day Public Holiday
Thanksgiving
Federal holiday — fourth Thursday of November. The biggest family holiday in the US. Banks, federal offices, schools, and nearly all retail closed (Walmart and some others began re-closing post-COVID). Families travel nationally — airports extremely busy. Traditional meal: roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie.
Fri 27
Day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) Optional
Black Friday
Not a federal holiday but widely observed. Many employers give the day off (de facto 4-day weekend). Banks are open. Major retail "doorbuster" sales — the unofficial start of Christmas shopping season. Increasingly overshadowed by online Cyber Monday deals.
December 2026
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Christmas
Federal holiday. Friday in 2026. Banks, federal offices, post offices, schools, and nearly all retail and restaurants closed. Family gift-giving, big meal (turkey or ham). Chinese restaurants and movie theatres famously open on Christmas Day.
Note: Some holidays in United States apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.