US Federal Holidays

There are 11 US federal holidays each year. The tables below list the date of each one in 2026 and 2027, the weekday it is observed when it falls on a weekend, and how many working days and hours each year has.

United States
Canada
United Kingdom
All countries

Federal Holidays 2027

HolidayDateDay off (observed)
New Year’s DayFriday, January 1, 2027Friday, January 1
Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.Monday, January 18, 2027Monday, January 18
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)Monday, February 15, 2027Monday, February 15
Memorial DayMonday, May 31, 2027Monday, May 31
Juneteenth National Independence DaySaturday, June 19, 2027Friday, June 18
Independence DaySunday, July 4, 2027Monday, July 5
Labor DayMonday, September 6, 2027Monday, September 6
Columbus DayMonday, October 11, 2027Monday, October 11
Veterans DayThursday, November 11, 2027Thursday, November 11
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 25, 2027Thursday, November 25
Christmas DaySaturday, December 25, 2027Friday, December 24

New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, December 31, 2027. That means most federal employees have 12 weekday holidays inside calendar year 2027.

Federal Holidays 2026

HolidayDateDay off (observed)
New Year’s DayThursday, January 1, 2026Thursday, January 1
Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.Monday, January 19, 2026Monday, January 19
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)Monday, February 16, 2026Monday, February 16
Memorial DayMonday, May 25, 2026Monday, May 25
Juneteenth National Independence DayFriday, June 19, 2026Friday, June 19
Independence DaySaturday, July 4, 2026Friday, July 3
Labor DayMonday, September 7, 2026Monday, September 7
Columbus DayMonday, October 12, 2026Monday, October 12
Veterans DayWednesday, November 11, 2026Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 26, 2026Thursday, November 26
Christmas DayFriday, December 25, 2026Friday, December 25

When a Holiday Falls on a Weekend

For most federal employees who work Monday to Friday, a holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed on the Friday before, and a holiday that falls on a Sunday is observed on the Monday after. That is why Christmas 2027 (a Saturday) is a day off on Friday, December 24, and Independence Day 2027 (a Sunday) is a day off on Monday, July 5.

Working Days and Hours in 2026 and 2027

Both years have 261 weekdays (Monday to Friday). At 8 hours a day that is 2,088 hours before holidays. Taking out the federal holidays that fall on weekdays gives:

YearWeekdaysWeekday federal holidaysWorking daysWorking hours (8 a day)
2026261112502,000
202726112 (includes Dec 31, 2027)2491,992

Your own total depends on your schedule and which holidays your employer gives. To total actual hours worked, use the Timesheet in the Work Hours Calculator.

Do Private Employers Follow Federal Holidays?

Federal holidays are days off for federal employees, and banks, post offices and many government offices close on them. Private employers decide which holidays they give and whether holiday time is paid, so check your employer’s policy or your contract.

If you work on a holiday and are paid a premium, the Overtime Calculator works out pay at time and a half, double time or a custom rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many federal holidays are there?

There are 11 federal holidays a year in the US, set by federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103).

Which federal holidays are always on a Monday?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day are always on a Monday. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. The other five (New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Day) are on fixed dates, so their weekday changes each year.

Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday in 2027?

Christmas Day 2027 falls on a Saturday, so most federal employees get Friday, December 24, 2027 off as the observed holiday.

Is December 31, 2027 a holiday?

Yes, for most federal employees. New Year’s Day 2028 is a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, December 31, 2027.

Sources