2026 Federal Holidays Guide
2026 is a standard year with 365 days, starting on a Thursday. For workers in the US, this specific layout offers some unique opportunities for "Long Weekends".
The 2026 Holiday Schedule
Here are the official dates for US Federal Holidays in 2026. Note that because July 4th falls on a Saturday, the federal observance is shifted.
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1 | Thursday |
| MLK Day | Jan 19 | Monday |
| Washington's Birthday | Feb 16 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday |
| Juneteenth | Jun 19 | Friday |
| Independence Day * | July 3 | Friday (Observed) |
| Labor Day | Sep 7 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | Oct 12 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving | Nov 26 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Friday |
* Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4th, so it is observed on Friday, July 3rd.
How to maximize annual leave in 2026?
The "New Year" Bridge
Strategy: Take Friday, Jan 2 off.
Result: By using just 1 vacation day, you create a 4-day weekend (Jan 1-4) to start the year.
The "Independence" Three-Day
Since the holiday is observed on Friday, July 3rd, you effectively get a standard 3-day weekend without using any vacation days. Perfect for mid-summer travel.
The Christmas Stretch
Christmas falls on a Friday. This naturally creates a 3-day weekend. However, New Year's Day 2027 will also be a Friday. Taking the week off between Dec 25 and Jan 1 requires only 4 vacation days (Dec 28-31) but gives you 10 consecutive days off (Dec 25 - Jan 3).
Planning Ahead
Use our Holiday Optimizer Tool to visualize these gaps. Booking flights for these peak dates (especially the July 3rd weekend) 6-9 months in advance is highly recommended.