US Federal Holidays 2026-2027: The Complete List
The U.S. has 11 federal holidays in both 2026 and 2027. Whether you're planning travel, managing a remote team, or just want to know when banks close, this complete list has every date, the in-lieu rules for weekend holidays, and the best long weekends.
Federal Holidays vs State Holidays
Federal holidays are mandatory days off only for federal employees, but most businesses, banks, schools, and stock markets follow them. States may add their own holidays — this guide covers the 11 nationwide federal holidays.
US Federal Holidays 2026: The Complete List
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1 | Thursday | — |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 19 | Monday | 3rd Monday of January |
| Presidents' Day | Feb 16 | Monday | 3rd Monday of February |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday | Last Monday of May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Jun 19 | Friday | — |
| Independence Day | Jul 4 | Saturday | ⚠️ Falls on Saturday |
| Labor Day | Sep 7 | Monday | 1st Monday of September |
| Columbus Day | Oct 12 | Monday | 2nd Monday of October |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | Wednesday | — |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 26 | Thursday | 4th Thursday of November |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Friday | — |
Note: Independence Day 2026 (July 4) falls on a Saturday. Federal employees receive Friday, July 3 as the in-lieu day off. Most private employers follow the same practice, making July 3-5 a long weekend.
US Federal Holidays 2027: The Complete List
| Holiday | 2027 Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1 | Friday | — |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 18 | Monday | 3rd Monday of January |
| Presidents' Day | Feb 15 | Monday | 3rd Monday of February |
| Memorial Day | May 31 | Monday | Last Monday of May |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Jun 18 | Friday | ⚠️ Jun 19 (Sat) → observed Jun 18 |
| Independence Day | Jul 5 | Monday | ⚠️ Jul 4 (Sun) → observed Jul 5 |
| Labor Day | Sep 6 | Monday | 1st Monday of September |
| Columbus Day | Oct 11 | Monday | 2nd Monday of October |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | Thursday | — |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 25 | Thursday | 4th Thursday of November |
| Christmas Day | Dec 24 | Friday | ⚠️ Dec 25 (Sat) → observed Dec 24 |
2027 special note: Three holidays need in-lieu adjustments (Juneteenth, Independence Day, Christmas). July 4 falls on a Sunday, so it is observed Monday July 5 — creating a guaranteed 3-day long weekend.
The In-Lieu Rule: When a Holiday Falls on a Weekend
U.S. federal holidays follow a fixed rule: if the holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is the day off; if it falls on Sunday, the following Monday is the day off. This is why the "observed" date often differs from the calendar date — and why it's easy to miss a day off when planning travel.
Best Long Weekends in 2026-2027
| Year | Long Weekend | How |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jan 16-19 (3 days) | MLK Day (Monday) |
| 2026 | May 23-25 (3 days) | Memorial Day (Monday) |
| 2026 | Jul 3-5 (3 days) | Independence Day in-lieu (Friday) + weekend |
| 2026 | Nov 26-29 (4 days) | Thanksgiving (Thu) + 1 day off (Fri) |
| 2026 | Dec 25-27 (3 days) | Christmas (Friday) |
| 2027 | Jul 3-5 (3 days) | Independence Day in-lieu (Monday) |
| 2027 | Nov 25-28 (4 days) | Thanksgiving (Thu) + 1 day off (Fri) |
| 2027 | Dec 24-26 (3 days) | Christmas in-lieu (Friday) |
Best trick: Take 1 day off (Friday) during Thanksgiving week and you get a 4-day weekend; add the following Monday for a 5-day break.
Sync US Holidays to Your Calendar
Stop checking dates every year. Open PubHoliday, select United States, and subscribe to the ICS calendar link — your Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook updates automatically, every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal holidays does the US have?
11. Both 2026 and 2027 have 11 federal holidays.
Are federal holidays mandatory days off?
Mandatory for federal employees; not legally required for private businesses, but most follow them. Banks, stock markets, and post offices typically close.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
Saturday → Friday off; Sunday → Monday off. Federal employees always get the in-lieu day, and most businesses follow.
What are the US federal holidays in 2026?
The 11 federal holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (1/1), MLK Day (1/19), Presidents' Day (2/16), Memorial Day (5/25), Juneteenth (6/19), Independence Day (7/4, observed 7/3), Labor Day (9/7), Columbus Day (10/12), Veterans Day (11/11), Thanksgiving (11/26), Christmas (12/25).
What are the US federal holidays in 2027?
The 11 federal holidays in 2027: New Year's Day (1/1), MLK Day (1/18), Presidents' Day (2/15), Memorial Day (5/31), Juneteenth (observed 6/18), Independence Day (observed 7/5), Labor Day (9/6), Columbus Day (10/11), Veterans Day (11/11), Thanksgiving (11/25), Christmas (observed 12/24).
How do I sync US holidays to my calendar?
Use PubHoliday, pick United States, and subscribe to the ICS calendar link to auto-sync to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook.