What Are Federal Holidays? Meaning, List, and Rules

The federal holiday meaning refers to a paid holiday in the United States designated by the federal government. They are officially observed every year, with non-essential government offices closed, and federal employees continuing to receive their pay.

However, not all the US federal holidays are mandatory. In fact, these statutory holidays are granted to maintain work-life balance in the organization. As a result, most of the government offices, private corporations, and schools remain closed on these holidays and observe them as public holidays.

How Many Federal Holidays Are There in the US?

Currently, the United States has 12 such holidays in total. People observe eleven of these every year, while the twelfth, Inauguration Day, occurs once every four years and is recognized only in the Washington, D.C., area.

List of US Federal Holidays for 2026

Below is the list of holidays for 2026. Mostly, government offices and many organizations across the country widely recognize and observe these days. As a result, work schedules and office operations may differ. Therefore, it’s helpful to plan activities and timelines in advance.

Date	Day	Holiday
Jan 1	Thursday	New Year’s Day
Jan 19	Monday	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Feb 16	Monday	Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)
May 25	Monday	Memorial Day
Jun 19	Friday	Juneteenth
July 3	Friday	Independence Day (Observed)
Sep 7	Monday	Labor Day
Oct 12	Monday	Columbus Day
Nov 11	Wednesday	Veterans Day
Nov 26	Thursday	Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25	Friday	Christmas Day

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.	What happens when a federal holiday falls on a weekend?
Ans.	In such cases, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday immediately before is the legal holiday. Similarly, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the legal holiday. Subsequently, federal observance days may shift, and regular work schedules or office operations can change accordingly.
Q2.	Are federal holidays mandatory for private companies?
Ans.	These are government holidays, meaning they apply directly to federal institutions. That said, the law generally does not require private companies to observe them as paid holidays. Nevertheless, many businesses choose to recognize major federal holidays such as New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Ultimately, each employer decides whether to close or remain open.
Q3.	What is the difference between federal holidays and national holidays?
Ans.	Both these terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between them. Federal holidays are government-designated days when non-essential federal offices close and federal employees receive paid time off. Meanwhile, private businesses may choose whether to observe them. On the other hand, a national holiday is meant to be observed by the whole country, usually to mark an important cultural or historical event. In the United States, however, there are no official national or public holidays, since Congress can only declare holidays for federal institutions, not for the entire nation.
Q4.	Is Labor Day a federal holiday?
Ans.	Yes, people celebrate it every year on the first Monday in September.
Q5.	Which federal holidays are usually paid?
Ans.	New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Generally, most of the federal employees observe these paid holidays, and many private employers also choose to offer them as paid days off.
Q6.	Do federal holidays delay direct deposit?
Ans.	Yes, these can delay direct deposit as these are non-banking days. Consequently, bank delays the employees’ direct deposits by a day when payday falls on a bank holiday. Moreover, if a bank holiday occurs between payroll processing and the scheduled pay date, direct deposits may also be delayed.
Q7.	Do federal holidays apply to everyone?
Ans.	No, these do not apply to everyone. Primarily, these apply to federal government offices and employees, who receive paid time off and remain closed on those days. Therefore, private businesses are not legally required to observe these holidays, so whether employees get the day off or paid leave depends on the employer’s policy.