Federal Holidays 2026 Complete List Official Guidelines

Jul 13, 2026

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Provides an official 2026 schedule of U.S. federal holidays, including observed dates and legal designations under federal law. Explains rules for when holidays fall on weekends, including “in lieu of” observation for pay and leave, and includes special clarifications such as Inauguration Day and the legally designated name “Washington’s Birthday” for federal purposes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time3 min

Federal Holidays ØÖØÜ: Complete List & Official Guidelines Federal holidays in the United States are established by federal law (Û U.S.C., § Ü×ÖÙ), which specifies public holidays for Federal employees. Most Federal employees follow a Monday through Friday work schedule; when a holiday falls on a nonworkday (Saturday or Sunday), it is typically observed on the preceding Friday (for Saturday holidays) or the following Monday (for Sunday holidays) for pay and leave purposes. ØÖØÜ Federal Holidays Schedule Below is the full list of ØÖØÜ federal holidays, including their observed dates and official [designations as per U.S. law](designations as per U.S. law). | Observed Date | Official Holiday Name | | --- | --- | | Thursday, January ×, ØÖØÜ | New Year's Day | | Monday, January ×ß, ØÖØÜ | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | | Monday, February ×Ü, ØÖØÜ | Washington's Birthday | | Monday, May ØÛ, ØÖØÜ | Memorial Day | | Friday, June ×ß, ØÖØÜ | Juneteenth National Independence Day | | Friday, July Ù, ØÖØÜ | Independence Day (Observed) | | Monday, September Ý, ØÖØÜ | Labor Day | | Monday, October ×Ø, ØÖØÜ | Columbus Day | | Wednesday, November ××, ØÖØÜ | Veterans Day | | Thursday, November ØÜ, ØÖØÜ | Thanksgiving Day | | Friday, December ØÛ, ØÖØÜ | Christmas Day | Important Notes & Legal Designations ×. Inauguration Day (Special Note) Section Ü×ÖÙ(c) of title Û of the United States Code designates "Inauguration Day" as a federal holiday. Federal employees in the Washington, DC, area are entitled to a holiday on January ØÖth for each fourth year after ×ßÜÛ (the date a President is inaugurated) . This does not apply to ØÖØÜ, as it is not an inauguration year. Ø. Washington's Birthday Clarification Section Ü×ÖÙ(a) of title Û of the United States Code officially designates this holiday as"Washington's Birthday." While state and local governments, private businesses, and other institutions may use alternative names (such as "Presidents' Day"), federal policy requires referring to holidays by their legally designated names. Ù. Holiday Observation Rules for Nonworkdays As specified in Û U.S.C. Ü×ÖÙ(b) and Section Ù(a) of Executive Order ××ÛÞØ (February ××,×ßÝ×): • If a holiday falls on a Saturday, most Federal employees will observe the holiday on the preceding Friday for pay and leave purposes. • If a holiday falls on a Sunday, most Federal employees will observe the holiday on the following Monday for pay and leave purposes. For additional details, refer to the OPM Fact Sheet: Federal Holidays- "In Lieu Of" Determination. OPM Official Statement "Federal law (Û U.S.C., § Ü×ÖÙ) establishes [these] public holidays for Federal employees. Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a nonworkday--Saturday or Sunday--the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday) ."—U.S. Office of

Jul 13, 2026

Upload by Himbo