By Barron Hansen, Founder · Updated October 6, 2026
US Federal Holidays 2026
There are 11 US federal holidays in 2026. One falls on a Saturday: Independence Day (July 4) is observed on Friday July 3. The total business day count for 2026 is 250.
2026 Federal Holiday Schedule
| Holiday | Actual Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Thursday | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19 | Monday | January 19 |
| Presidents' Day | February 16 | Monday | February 16 |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday | May 25 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | Friday | June 19 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Saturday | July 3 (Friday) |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday | September 7 |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday | October 12 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 | Thursday | November 26 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday | December 25 |
Note: Independence Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the observed holiday is Friday, July 3.
Business Days in 2026 by Month
| Month | Business Days |
|---|---|
| January | 20 |
| February | 19 |
| March | 22 |
| April | 22 |
| May | 20 |
| June | 21 |
| July | 22 |
| August | 21 |
| September | 21 |
| October | 21 |
| November | 19 |
| December | 22 |
| Total | 250 |
About US Federal Holidays
Federal holidays are public holidays recognized by the US federal government under 5 U.S.C. § 6103. Section 6103 is, in the Office of Personnel Management's words, the law that specifies holidays for federal employees. For private employers, the Department of Labor notes that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, such as federal or other holidays. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.
Federal Reserve and FedACH counts around Saturday holidays
This calendar counts each federal holiday on the day federal employees have it. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, 5 U.S.C. 6103(b) makes the Friday before it the legal public holiday for employees whose basic workweek is Monday through Friday (the Office of Personnel Management says the same of most federal employees, for pay and leave purposes), so this calendar leaves that Friday out. The Federal Reserve Banks are open that Friday. A count on the Reserve Banks' schedule, which the same page sets out for FedACH, therefore has one more business day across one of those Fridays than this calendar shows.
Fridays this affects in 2026:
- Friday, July 3, 2026 (Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026)
Sources: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo), 5 U.S.C. 6103(b); U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Federal Holidays; Federal Reserve Financial Services, Holiday Schedules. Checked October 12, 2026. All sources
State holidays vary by state and are separate from the federal holiday schedule. If you are calculating business days for a specific state, check whether any state-specific holidays affect your count.
Calculating Business Days Around 2026 Holidays
To find the number of business days between any two dates in 2026, use the Business Day Calculator. For payment term due dates, see the Net 30 Calculator, Net 60 Calculator, or Net 90 Calculator.
For the 2027 holiday schedule, see US Federal Holidays 2027.
FAQ
How many federal holidays are there in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. One falls on a weekend: Independence Day lands on Saturday July 4 and is observed on Friday July 3. The other ten fall on weekdays already.
How many business days are in 2026?
2026 has 250 business days, calculated as 261 weekdays minus 11 federal holiday closures. Every observed date lands on a weekday, including the July 3 substitute for Independence Day.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes. Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) became a federal holiday in 2021. In 2026 it falls on a Friday.
Sources for this guide
- Federal Holidays: a Saturday holiday is observed on the preceding Friday (5 U.S.C. 6103(b)), a Sunday holiday on the following Monday (E.O. 11582, section 3(a)) (U.S. Office of Personnel Management)
- 5 U.S.C. 6103: the legal public holidays, and (b) the Friday before a Saturday holiday (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo))
- Public Law 117-17, Juneteenth National Independence Day Act (June 17, 2021) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo))
- Vacation Leave (US Department of Labor)
Checked October 6, 2026. All sources