Presidents' Day 2026: When are the 2026 holidays? Federal Holiday dates and key observances

The new year has just started, and already Americans are preparing their calendars for 2026. They are considering long weekends, federal holidays, and important cultural events. One of the most recognized dates is Presidents' Day 2026, as it provides a break in the winter and a reminder of the country's leadership legacy. According to a report from Cincinnati, here's an in-depth look at major U.S. federal holidays and widely recognized dates across religious and cultural calendars in 2026.

When Is Presidents' Day 2026?

Presidents' Day 2026 will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, the third Monday of February. The federal holiday generally provides a three-day weekend for many workers and students in the U.S. The day was initially set up to celebrate George Washington, the first president of the United States. However, at the federal level, the holiday is still officially called Washington’s Birthday. George Washington was born on February 22; however, under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, the observance was moved to a Monday, thus the workers had four long weekends that could be predicted.

Presidents' Day has become a wider observance over the years, honoring all American presidents, with some states also paying homage to Abraham Lincoln who was born on February 12.

Federal and Major U.S. Holidays in Early 2026

The year starts with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, which is observed on the third Monday of January. Then comes Valentine's Day on Saturday, February 14, and following that, Presidents' Day 2026 will take place on February 16, just two days later.

Around this time, many cultural and religious observances take place simultaneously. The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, will begin on February 17, Tuesday, and will last until the Lantern Festival on March 3. The same night is likely to be the first day of Ramadan, depending on the moon's visibility. For Christians, Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance and fasting, falls on February 18 and marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and penance, until April 2.

Easter Sunday will be on April 5, 2026. Spring and Summer Observances St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated on March 17, followed by Earth Day on April 22, Wednesday. Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on May 5, Tuesday, and Mother’s Day will be celebrated on May 10.

A federal holiday, Memorial Day, will be on May 25, Monday, and will honor those U.S. military personnel who died while serving the country. Father’s Day will be the next day, June 21, Sunday, and Juneteenth, a day remembering the abolition of slavery in the U.S., will take place on June 19, Friday.

Late-Year Federal Holidays and Cultural Dates

Independence Day is on Saturday, July 4, and Labor Day is on Monday, September 7. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown on Friday, September 11, and continues until the end of September 13. October 12 marks the day when Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day are both recognized, and Halloween will be on Saturday, October 31.

Diwali will be on the countdown of Sunday, November 8, followed by Veterans Day on the 11th, which is a Wednesday. Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, November 26, while Hanukkah will start right after sundown on December 4 and will last up to December 12.

Christmas Eve is on Thursday, December 24, followed by Christmas Day, which is on Friday, December 25. New Year’s Eve on Thursday, December 31, and Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1 mark the end of the year.

What will remain open on Presidents' Day?

As a federal holiday, Presidents' Day 2026 will see closures of government offices, post offices, and many banks. Schools and private businesses may also close, depending on state and local policies. Public transport and retail operations may run on adjusted schedules.

FAQs

When is Presidents' Day 2026 observed?

Presidents' Day 2026 will be observed on Monday, February 16.

Is Presidents' Day a federal holiday?

Yes, it is a federal holiday, meaning government offices and postal services are closed.