Executive Summary

The United States has 11 federal holidays established by 5 U.S.C. § 6103. These holidays apply to federal government employees and contractors. Private-sector employers are not required by federal law to observe them, though most do as a matter of practice and employment policy.

The US holiday system is notable for two features: the observed dates rule (Saturday holidays shift to Friday; Sunday holidays shift to Monday) and the absence of mandatory private-sector holiday requirements. States may add their own holidays for public employees, but there is no federally mandated minimum number of holidays for private workers.

In 2026, the US will have approximately 249 working days based on 11 federal holidays. Use the workday calculator for exact date ranges.

The 11 Federal Holidays

Under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, the 11 federal holidays for 2026 are:

  • January 1 — New Year's Day
  • January 19 — Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (third Monday of January)
  • February 16 — Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day (third Monday of February)
  • May 25 — Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
  • June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • July 4 (observed July 6, Monday) — Independence Day (falls on Saturday; observed Monday)
  • September 7 — Labor Day (first Monday of September)
  • October 12 — Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day (second Monday of October)
  • November 11 — Veterans Day
  • November 26 — Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
  • December 25 — Christmas Day

The Observed Dates Rule

When a federal holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. This rule ensures federal employees always receive a workday off.

In 2026, Independence Day (July 4) falls on Saturday, so it is observed on Monday, July 6. This creates a long holiday weekend from Friday, July 3 through Monday, July 6 — though the Friday is only a holiday for federal employees if their agency closes; private-sector employees need to check their employer's policy.

Unlike the Colombian Ley Emiliani (which automatically shifts holidays to Monday) or the Mexican lunes movibles (fixed to specific Mondays), the US system does not create additional bridge days — it only shifts the observance by one day when the date falls on a weekend.

State Holiday System: 50 States, Different Rules

Each of the 50 states can designate additional holidays for state and public employees. These state holidays vary significantly by region:

  • Northeast: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island observe Patriots' Day (third Monday of April). Maine also observes it.
  • Mid-Atlantic: Virginia observes Lee-Jackson Day (Friday before MLK Day); Maryland observes Maryland Day (March 25).
  • South: Several southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day and other state-specific holidays.
  • Midwest: Most Midwest states mirror the federal schedule with few additions. Illinois observes Casimir Pulaski Day (first Monday of March).
  • West: California observes César Chávez Day (March 31) and Lincoln's Birthday (February 12).

Private-sector employers in all states remain free to set their own holiday policies. Consult state-specific pages for the full holiday list: California, Texas, New York, Florida.

Working on Federal Holidays: Pay Rules

For federal employees under 5 U.S.C. § 5546: employees required to work on a federal holiday receive holiday premium pay at 1.5× their regular rate, in addition to receiving credit for the holiday. The exact calculation depends on the employee's pay schedule and union agreement.

For private-sector employees: the FLSA does not require holiday pay or premium pay for holiday work. Whether an employee is paid extra for working on a holiday is entirely determined by:

  • The employer's policy (as stated in the employee handbook)
  • A collective bargaining agreement (if applicable)
  • Individual employment contracts

Many private employers do provide holiday pay at their discretion (often 1.5× or 2× for major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas), but this is not legally required. State laws in California, New York, and a few other states impose limited holiday pay requirements for specific industries.

Working Days and Streaks in 2026

With 11 federal holidays, the United States has one of the highest working-day counts among developed economies. In 2026, there are approximately 249 working days (Monday–Friday, excluding federal holidays that fall on weekdays).

The longest consecutive working streak in 2026 — based on federal holidays only — falls between Labor Day (first Monday of September) and Columbus Day (second Monday of October), a stretch of approximately 27 working days.

Use the US workday calculator to compute the exact number of business days between any two dates. The calculator accounts for the 2026 observed dates (including the July 4 Monday shift). Holiday data is also available via the API in JSON format.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many federal holidays does the US have?

The United States has 11 federal holidays established by 5 U.S.C. § 6103: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples' Day), Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Are US employers required to give federal holidays off?

No. Federal law does not require private employers to provide any paid or unpaid holidays. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not mandate holidays. Federal holidays apply to federal government employees only. Private-sector employers decide their holiday policy, typically based on industry norms, state law, or collective bargaining agreements.

What is the observed date rule for US federal holidays?

When a federal holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. This rule ensures federal employees always receive a weekday off. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes the official observed dates each year.

Does Juneteenth apply to private-sector workers?

Juneteenth (June 19) became a federal holiday in 2021 under the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. It applies to federal employees. Private-sector employers are not required by federal law to observe it, though many have adopted it voluntarily. Some states have also designated it as a state holiday for public employees.

How does Columbus Day work in states that replaced it with Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Columbus Day is a federal holiday under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, which means federal offices close and federal employees receive the day off nationwide. However, several states — including California, Oregon, Maine, and New Mexico — have officially designated the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day for state purposes. Both the federal and state observance occur on the same date, but the naming differs.

How many working days does the US have in 2026?

The United States has approximately 249 working days in 2026, based on 11 federal holidays. Days vary slightly depending on which holidays fall on weekdays vs. weekends and their observed dates. Use the workday calculator for exact counts between any two dates.

What is Washington's Birthday? Is it the same as Presidents' Day?

Washington's Birthday is the official name of the federal holiday under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, observed on the third Monday of February. 'Presidents' Day' is a popular informal name used commercially and by some states. The federal government does not use the name Presidents' Day officially. It is a fixed Monday holiday — it does not fall on February 22 (Washington's actual birthday) but on the third Monday of February.

Does the US have more or fewer federal holidays than other countries?

With 11 federal holidays, the US has fewer mandatory public holidays than most other developed countries. Colombia observes 18 national holidays; Spain observes 12-14 depending on the autonomous community; Germany observes 9-13 depending on the state. However, US private-sector workers typically negotiate paid time off (PTO) that may include additional holidays beyond the federal minimum.

Are federal holidays paid for all federal employees?

Yes. Federal employees covered by 5 U.S.C. § 6103 receive 11 paid holidays per year. Employees required to work on a federal holiday receive holiday premium pay (typically 1.5× regular rate) plus the regular holiday pay, under 5 U.S.C. § 5546. The OPM publishes detailed rules for holiday pay for different employee categories.

Does California have more holidays than other states?

California has the 11 federal holidays plus 2 additional state holidays for public employees: César Chávez Day (March 31) under California Government Code § 6700 and Lincoln's Birthday (February 12). This gives California state employees 13 observed holidays. Private-sector employees in California are not entitled to any of these days by law, though employer policies vary.

How do US holidays affect tax deadlines?

When a tax filing or payment deadline falls on a federal holiday, the IRS automatically extends the deadline to the next business day. This rule applies to all IRS deadlines. For state tax deadlines, the extension depends on state-level rules that may or may not mirror the federal holiday. Consult the IRS tax calendar for current-year deadline adjustments.

What is Juneteenth and when did it become a federal holiday?

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation following the end of the Civil War — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act (Pub. L. 117-17), signed in June 2021, made it the 11th federal holiday. It is observed on June 19, or the nearest Friday/Monday if it falls on a weekend.

Are state and local government employees required to take federal holidays off?

State and local government employees follow state law, not federal law. Many states mirror the federal holiday schedule for their employees, but they are not required to do so. Some states observe different holidays (e.g., Texas has state holidays on Confederate Heroes Day and Texas Independence Day, which are not federal holidays).

How does holiday pay work for part-time federal employees?

Part-time federal employees receive holiday pay on a prorated basis, depending on their regularly scheduled hours. An employee who regularly works 20 hours per week would receive 4 hours of holiday pay for a 40-hour-week holiday. The OPM details the calculation in the Federal Employees' Leave Act guidelines.

Can the President declare extra federal holidays?

Yes. The President can issue an Executive Order granting federal employees an extra day off on a case-by-case basis, typically when a holiday falls on Thursday and the President grants the adjacent Friday as an extra holiday (a 'bridge day'). This has occurred for Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve in some years. These are typically announced 1-2 weeks in advance.

What is Labor Day in the US?

Labor Day in the United States is observed on the first Monday of September, honoring the labor movement and workers' contributions to the country. It is a federal holiday under 5 U.S.C. § 6103. Unlike International Workers' Day (May 1) observed in most other countries, the US observes it in September. Labor Day weekend is traditionally the unofficial end of summer and a major retail sales period.

Is Thanksgiving a uniquely American holiday?

Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November is a distinctly American federal holiday, distinct from Canadian Thanksgiving (second Monday in October). The US holiday commemorates the 1621 harvest feast shared between Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. It is the only major US holiday defined by a specific weekday in a specific month (fourth Thursday of November), rather than a fixed calendar date.

How can I export US federal holidays to my calendar app?

US federal holidays are available for download in ICS format (compatible with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook) from Calendarios Nacionales. You can also access them via the REST API at /us/api/ in JSON format, with name, date, and legal basis for each holiday. Both 5 U.S.C. § 6103 federal holidays and state-specific holidays are available.

Do US banks close on all federal holidays?

Most US banks close on the 11 federal holidays because banks regulated by the Federal Reserve follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, which matches the 5 U.S.C. § 6103 list. This means ACH transactions, wire transfers, and check clearing do not process on these days. The Federal Reserve's holiday schedule also affects settlement dates for securities transactions.

What is the longest working streak in the US in 2026?

The longest consecutive working streak in 2026 (based on federal holidays only) typically falls between Labor Day (first Monday of September) and Columbus Day (second Monday of October), a stretch of about 27-30 working days. Use the workday calculator at /us/2026/calculadora/ to verify the exact streak and find the longest uninterrupted working period for any date range.