The United States in 2026 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence โ the semiquincentennial of the nation's founding. Independence Day (4 July 2026) is expected to be one of the most significant national celebrations in decades, falling on a Saturday.
The 11 federal holidays continue on schedule. Memorial Day is Monday 25 May. Labor Day is Monday 7 September. Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November. Christmas Day falls on a Friday โ automatic three-day festive weekend.
Public Holidays 2026
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Nationwide Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | Nationwide |
| 19 Jan 2026 | Mon | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Nationwide |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Mon | Washington's Birthday | Nationwide |
| 25 May 2026 | Mon | Memorial Day | Nationwide |
| 19 Jun 2026 | Fri | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Nationwide |
| 3 Jul 2026 | Fri | Independence Day (observed) | Nationwide |
| 7 Sept 2026 | Mon | Labor Day | Nationwide |
| 12 Oct 2026 | Mon | Columbus Day | Nationwide |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wed | Veterans Day | Nationwide |
| 26 Nov 2026 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Nationwide |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | Nationwide |
School Holidays 2026
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Alabama โ School Holidays Overview
Winter Break
17.02.2026 - 21.02.2026
Spring Break
No break
Summer Holidays
23.05.2026 - 04.08.2026
Christmas Break
22.12.2026 - 04.01.2027
Holidays by Region
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private employers required to give US federal holidays off?
No. Federal public holidays in the United States apply directly only to federal government employees. Private employers are not legally required to give employees the day off or provide extra pay. Whether a private employee gets federal holidays off depends on their employment contract.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (19 June) commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced freedom for enslaved people โ two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
What is Thanksgiving in the United States?
Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November and is one of the most important American holidays. It centres on a large family meal (traditionally featuring roast turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie) and expressions of gratitude. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October.
How long are school summer holidays in the USA?
US school summer holidays typically last 10โ13 weeks, running from late May/June to August or early September. The exact dates vary by state and district. This is longer than most European countries.
What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) honours military personnel who have died in service. Veterans Day (11 November) honours all who have served in the US military, both living and deceased. Veterans Day also coincides with Armistice Day / Remembrance Day in other countries.