US federal holidays
The United States has 11 federal holidays, set by 5 U.S.C. 6103: five on fixed dates, five on Mondays and Thanksgiving on a Thursday. A Saturday holiday is observed the Friday before; a Sunday holiday the Monday after.
Holidays in 2026, 2027 and 2028
| Year | Federal holidays | On weekdays | Optional | Business days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States 2026 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 250 |
| United States 2027 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 249 |
| United States 2028 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 250 |
Day off for every holiday, 2026 to 2028
The table shows each year's observed day off; when it differs from the legal date, the legal date is in parentheses. Thanksgiving falls on November 26, November 25, and November 23.
| Holiday | Rule | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fixed: January 1 | (Jan 1) | ||
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Third Monday in January | |||
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Third Monday in February | |||
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | |||
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Fixed: June 19 | (Jun 19) | ||
| Independence Day | Fixed: July 4 | (Jul 4) | (Jul 4) | |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | |||
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | |||
| Veterans Day | Fixed: November 11 | (Nov 11) | ||
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November | |||
| Christmas Day | Fixed: December 25 | (Dec 25) |
How the law defines federal holidays
5 U.S.C. 6103(a) lists the holidays. Five have fixed dates (New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day); five fall on a Monday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day); Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November. Juneteenth was added in 2021 (Pub. L. 117-17).
The observed-day rule comes from 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) for Saturdays and Executive Order 11582 (1971) for Sundays. It applies to federal employees on a Monday-Friday schedule; the Federal Reserve stays open on the Friday when a holiday falls on a Saturday.
Every four years, Inauguration Day (January 20) is a holiday only for federal employees in the Washington, DC area (5 U.S.C. 6103(c)). The next one is in 2029.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the 11 US federal holidays?
- New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- What happens when a federal holiday falls on a weekend?
- For federal employees on a Monday-Friday schedule, a Saturday holiday is observed on the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday on the following Monday. The legal date stays the same; only the day off moves.
- Do private employers have to give federal holidays off?
- No. Federal holidays apply to the federal government. Private employers decide by policy or contract, and each state keeps its own holiday list.
- Is Columbus Day still a federal holiday?
- Yes. 5 U.S.C. 6103 still lists Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. Some states and cities mark Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date or do not observe it.
Last reviewed by Arielton Oberek.