The Holiday Collection
The short answer: The 2026 holidays include 11 federal holidays plus dozens of family, religious and cultural dates that shape your calendar and your budget.
Our picks for 2026 holidays
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Sinking Funds Tracker
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Below you'll find every federal holiday with its observed date, the big seasonal dates month by month, the long weekends worth planning around, and a simple way to set aside money for each one so nothing sneaks up on you.
Plan the whole year's spending in the Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99), and save for each holiday ahead of time with the Sinking Funds Tracker ($4.99).
Federal holidays 2026
These dates come from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's federal holiday schedule. The holidays themselves are set by law in 5 U.S. Code section 6103. For a closer look at the first holiday of the year, including what's open, see New Year's Day.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Day | Long weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Thursday | Four days if you take Friday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19 | Monday | Yes |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | February 16 | Monday | Yes |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday | Yes |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Friday | Yes |
| Independence Day (observed) | July 3 | Friday | Yes |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday | Yes |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday | Yes |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday | No |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 | Thursday | Four days if you take Friday |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday | Yes |
July 4, 2026 lands on a Saturday, so the federal day off moves to Friday, July 3. This year's Fourth of July is also the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, so expect bigger celebrations and busier travel.
2026 holidays and key dates by month
Winter
- January 1: New Year's Day (Thursday).
- January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- February 2: Groundhog Day (Monday).
- February 14: Valentine's Day (Saturday).
- February 16: Presidents' Day.
- February 17: Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year.
- February 18: Ash Wednesday.
Spring
- March 8: Daylight saving time begins.
- March 17: St. Patrick's Day (Tuesday).
- April 1 to 9: Passover, beginning at sunset on April 1.
- April 3: Good Friday.
- April 5: Easter Sunday.
- May 10: Mother's Day.
- May 25: Memorial Day.
Summer
- June 19: Juneteenth (Friday).
- June 21: Father's Day.
- July 3: Independence Day observed.
- July 4: Independence Day (Saturday).
- September 7: Labor Day.
Fall
- September 11 to 13: Rosh Hashanah, beginning at sunset on September 11.
- September 13: Grandparents Day.
- September 20 to 21: Yom Kippur, beginning at sunset on September 20.
- October 12: Columbus Day.
- October 31: Halloween (Saturday).
- November 1: Daylight saving time ends.
- November 3: Election Day.
- November 11: Veterans Day.
- November 26: Thanksgiving.
- November 27: Black Friday.
Holiday season
- December 4 to 12: Hanukkah, beginning at sunset on December 4.
- December 24: Christmas Eve (Thursday).
- December 25: Christmas Day (Friday).
- December 26 to January 1: Kwanzaa.
- December 31: New Year's Eve (Thursday).
For the dates that are still ahead, see when Black Friday is, when Christmas is and what Kwanzaa is. If you're already planning next year, the 2027 holiday calendar and the 2026 printable calendar are good companions.
How to budget for the 2026 holidays
Holidays are predictable expenses, so they belong in your budget before they arrive. Here's a simple way to plan for them.
- List the holidays you spend on. Include gifts, travel, food, decorations and school or work events.
- Estimate each cost. Use last year's bank statements as a starting point.
- Count the months until each date. Divide the cost by that number.
- Set up a sinking fund for each. Move that amount into savings every payday.
- Track as you spend. Compare actual costs with your plan and adjust next year. For more on this topic, see our holidays hub.
| Holiday or season | Common costs | Example monthly set-aside |
|---|---|---|
| Valentine's Day | Cards, dinner, small gifts | $10 to $20 |
| Easter and spring break | Baskets, meals, travel | $15 to $50 |
| Summer holidays | Cookouts, trips, fireworks | $25 to $75 |
| Back to school and fall | Supplies, Halloween costumes | $20 to $40 |
| Thanksgiving | Groceries, hosting, travel | $20 to $50 |
| Christmas and Hanukkah | Gifts, food, decor, travel | $50 to $150 |
These are example amounts, not averages. Your numbers will depend on family size and traditions. Our holiday budget guide and the sinking funds guide walk through the math in more detail.
Long weekends and time off in 2026
Most of 2026's federal holidays fall on a Monday or Friday, which gives you eight built-in three-day weekends. If you have vacation days, pairing one with a Thursday holiday turns New Year's or Thanksgiving into a four-day break. Check your holiday pay rules too, since private employers set their own paid holidays.
Starter plan: your 2026 holiday checklist
- Mark every holiday on one shared family calendar.
- Choose two or three holidays you'll host or travel for.
- Set a gift budget per person before December.
- Order holiday cards and gifts before the holiday shipping deadlines.
- Pay any bills due on a holiday a day or two early.
The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) puts gift lists, the Christmas budget and holiday meal planning in one place, so the busiest stretch of 2026 stays organized.
Planning ahead for next year? See month-by-month lists of holidays in January and February holidays.
The Holiday Collection
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Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
What are the federal holidays in 2026? The 11 federal holidays in 2026 are New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19), Washington's Birthday (Monday, February 16), Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), Juneteenth (Friday, June 19), Independence Day (observed Friday, July 3), Labor Day (Monday, September 7), Columbus Day (Monday, October 12), Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11), Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26) and Christmas (Friday, December 25).
Why is the July 4th holiday observed on July 3 in 2026? July 4, 2026 falls on a Saturday. Under the federal rule for weekend holidays, most federal employees get the preceding Friday off instead, so the observed Independence Day holiday in 2026 is Friday, July 3. Many private employers follow the same pattern, but check your own company's holiday schedule.
How many long weekends are there in 2026? Counting the federal holidays that land on a Monday or Friday, 2026 has eight three-day weekends: MLK Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the observed July 4th holiday, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Christmas. New Year's Day and Thanksgiving fall on Thursdays, so many people take the Friday after as a four-day weekend.
When is Thanksgiving 2026? Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26. It is always the fourth Thursday in November. Black Friday follows on November 27, and many families treat the whole weekend as a time to travel, host and start holiday shopping, so it helps to set a food and gift budget a few weeks ahead.
When is Easter 2026? Easter Sunday 2026 is April 5. Good Friday is April 3, Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 17, and Ash Wednesday is February 18. Easter is not a federal holiday, but many schools plan spring break around it, so it is worth marking early if you budget for travel or family gatherings.
When is Hanukkah 2026? In 2026, Hanukkah begins at sunset on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Jewish holidays begin at sunset the evening before, so the first candle is lit on the evening of December 4. Passover 2026 begins at sunset on April 1, and Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on September 11.
Is Election Day 2026 a holiday? Election Day 2026 is Tuesday, November 3, and it is the federal midterm election. It is not a federal holiday for federal employees, but some states and employers give time off to vote. Check your state's rules and your employer's policy, and plan childcare or schedules ahead if you need extra time.
How do I plan and budget for the 2026 holidays? List every holiday and occasion you spend money on, estimate what each one costs, and divide the total by the months left until each date. That monthly amount becomes a sinking fund. Tracking it in a simple spreadsheet keeps gifts, travel and hosting costs from landing on one credit card statement in December.
Do banks and the post office close on 2026 federal holidays? Most banks follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule and close on federal holidays, and the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on them. Stores and restaurants set their own hours. If a bill is due on a holiday, pay a day or two early so the payment posts on time.
Where can I find the 2027 holiday calendar? Our 2027 holiday calendar lists the next year's federal holidays and key dates in the same format, so you can plan vacation days and sinking funds before the year starts. Federal dates are set by law in title 5 of the U.S. Code, and OPM publishes the official schedule each year.
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A one-page holiday budget, a gift list with a spending limit for every person, and a 6-week countdown so December stays calm and paid for. You'll also get our weekly HomeBase email with simple holiday planning, budgeting and hosting tips.
