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The short answer: The main holidays in January are New Year's Day on January 1 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of the month. Both are federal holidays.
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In 2027, New Year's Day falls on Friday, January 1, and MLK Day is Monday, January 18. January also brings Epiphany on January 6, Orthodox Christmas on January 7 and month-long observances like National Blood Donor Month.
Plan your January dates, bills and goals with the Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99) or the Budget Planner Printable ($5.99).
After the family time of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I love a calm January with a fresh plan for the year.
January 2027 holidays at a glance
| Date | Day | Holiday or observance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Friday | New Year's Day | Federal holiday |
| January 6 | Wednesday | Epiphany (Three Kings Day) | Religious |
| January 7 | Thursday | Orthodox Christmas | Religious |
| January 15 | Friday | Q4 estimated tax payment due | Money date |
| January 18 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal holiday |
| January 27 | Wednesday | International Holocaust Remembrance Day | International observance |
Federal holidays in January
There are 2 federal holidays in January. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management's holiday list sets the dates for federal workers each year. For closures, observed-date rules and the history of the first one, see our guide to New Year's Day.
- New Year's Day (January 1). Federal offices, post offices and most banks close. In 2027 it lands on a Friday, so many people get a 3-day weekend.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday). It honors the civil rights leader, who was born on January 15, 1929. It's also observed as a national day of service, when many people volunteer in their communities.
Inauguration Day falls on January 20 every 4 years, after a presidential election. Federal law makes it a holiday for federal workers in the Washington, D.C. area. The next one is January 20, 2029, so it isn't on the 2027 calendar.
Religious and cultural holidays in January
- Epiphany or Three Kings Day (January 6): marks the visit of the Magi. Many Latin American families celebrate Día de los Reyes with rosca de reyes, a sweet ring-shaped bread.
- Orthodox Christmas (January 7): celebrated by many Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar.
- Lunar New Year: it often lands in late January, but in 2027 it falls on February 6. See our Lunar New Year guide.
January observances and month-long themes
| Observance | What it's about |
|---|---|
| National Blood Donor Month | Encourages blood donation during the winter shortage |
| National Mentoring Month | Celebrates mentors and recruits volunteers |
| Dry January | A month without alcohol; see our Dry January guide |
| New Year's goals | A natural time to set New Year's resolutions |
January 2027 long weekends
Both federal holidays create a three-day weekend in 2027, which matters if you are booking travel or a sitter.
| Long weekend | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's weekend | Friday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3 | New Year's Day falls on a Friday |
| MLK Day weekend | Saturday, January 16 to Monday, January 18 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the third Monday |
Epiphany (Wednesday, January 6) and Orthodox Christmas (Thursday, January 7) fall midweek, so most people still work and school is in session. If you want a longer break, taking Tuesday, January 19 off as well would give you a four-day stretch from January 16 to 19 only if your employer allows it. The January 2027 calendar shows these dates on a printable month, and our New Year's resolutions guide helps you set goals for the first long weekend.
What's open and closed on January holidays
| Holiday | Post offices | Most banks | Schools | Most stores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Closed | Closed | Closed | Many open, some with shorter hours |
| MLK Day | Closed | Closed | Many closed | Open |
| Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas | Open | Open | Open | Open |
School calendars vary by district, so check yours before you plan a trip or a day off.
Simple ways to celebrate January holidays
- New Year's Day: host a relaxed brunch, play card games and write down a few goals for the year.
- Three Kings Day: bake or buy a rosca de reyes and share it with friends.
- MLK Day: volunteer at a food bank, read one of Dr. King's speeches together or visit a local museum.
- Any January weekend: cook a big pot of soup and plan the year's birthdays, trips and holidays on one calendar.
Important money dates in January
January holds a few dates worth adding to your calendar:
- January 15: If you pay quarterly taxes, the fourth-quarter payment for the prior year is due. The IRS estimated taxes page explains who needs to pay.
- Late January: employers mail W-2 forms, so watch for yours before tax season.
- After the holidays: holiday credit card bills arrive, which makes January a good month to reset your budget.
Plan your January
January is the best month to map the whole year: holidays, paydays, bills and savings goals.
- Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99): plan all 12 months of income, bills and holiday spending in one file.
- Budget Planner Printable ($5.99): a paper monthly budget to reset after the holidays.
- Household Binder ($6.99): keep the family calendar, key dates and household info together.
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Frequently asked questions
What holidays are in January? The main holidays in January are New Year's Day on January 1 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday. Epiphany on January 6 and Orthodox Christmas on January 7 are important religious holidays in the same month.
How many federal holidays are in January? There are 2 federal holidays in January: New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Inauguration Day on January 20 is also a holiday for federal workers in the Washington, D.C. area, but only every 4 years.
When is MLK Day in 2027? MLK Day in 2027 is Monday, January 18. Martin Luther King Jr. Day always falls on the third Monday of January, close to Dr. King's birthday on January 15.
What day is New Year's Day 2027? New Year's Day 2027 is on Friday, January 1. Because it falls on a Friday, many workers get a 3-day weekend to start the year.
Is January 6 a holiday? January 6 is Epiphany, also called Three Kings Day, a Christian holiday. It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and schools usually stay open.
When is Orthodox Christmas? Orthodox Christmas is on January 7 for churches that follow the Julian calendar. It is not a federal holiday in the United States, but many Orthodox Christian families celebrate it.
Are banks closed on MLK Day? Yes, most banks are closed on MLK Day because it is a federal holiday. Post offices are closed too. Online banking and ATMs still work.
Is Inauguration Day a holiday in 2027? No, there is no Inauguration Day in 2027. Inauguration Day happens on January 20 every 4 years, after a presidential election. The next one is January 20, 2029.
What is National Blood Donor Month? National Blood Donor Month is observed every January. It encourages people to give blood during winter, when cold weather, illness and busy holiday schedules can lower donations.
Is Lunar New Year in January? Lunar New Year sometimes falls in late January, but in 2027 it is on Saturday, February 6. The date changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar.
What money dates should I know in January? The fourth-quarter estimated tax payment is due on January 15 for people who pay quarterly. January is also when W-2 forms arrive and holiday credit card bills come due, so it is a smart month to reset your budget.
How can I plan the year in January? January is a good time to map out holidays, paydays, bills and savings goals for all 12 months. The Annual Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. puts your whole year of income and spending in one file, so holiday costs never surprise you.
How many federal holidays are in January 2027? There are 2 federal holidays in January 2027: New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18. Inauguration Day is only a holiday every 4 years, and the next one is January 20, 2029.
Which January 2027 holidays make a long weekend? Both federal holidays make a three-day weekend in January 2027. New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, gives you January 1 to 3, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18, gives you January 16 to 18.
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Sources
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays opm.gov
- Cornell Law School LII: 5 U.S. Code § 6103, Holidays law.cornell.edu
- IRS: Estimated taxes irs.gov