📅 USA Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 · Thu | New Year's Day | Public |
| 19 Jan 2026 · Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) | Public |
| 16 Feb 2026 · Mon | Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday) | Public |
| 25 May 2026 · Mon | Memorial Day | Public |
| 19 Jun 2026 · Fri | Juneteenth (Juneteenth National Independence Day) | Public |
| 3 Jul 2026 · Fri | Independence Day | Public |
| 7 Sep 2026 · Mon | Labour Day (Labor Day) | Public |
| 12 Oct 2026 · Mon | Columbus Day | Public |
| 11 Nov 2026 · Wed | Veterans Day | Public |
| 26 Nov 2026 · Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Public |
| 25 Dec 2026 · Fri | Christmas Day | Public |
Public Holidays 2027
Provisional — most countries publish the official calendar late in the year.
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 · Fri | New Year's Day | Public |
| 18 Jan 2027 · Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) | Public |
| 15 Feb 2027 · Mon | Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday) | Public |
| 31 May 2027 · Mon | Memorial Day | Public |
| 18 Jun 2027 · Fri | Juneteenth (Juneteenth National Independence Day) | Public |
| 5 Jul 2027 · Mon | Independence Day | Public |
| 6 Sep 2027 · Mon | Labour Day (Labor Day) | Public |
| 11 Oct 2027 · Mon | Columbus Day | Public |
| 11 Nov 2027 · Thu | Veterans Day | Public |
| 25 Nov 2027 · Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Public |
| 24 Dec 2027 · Fri | Christmas Day | Public |
ℹ️ Why these dates matter
In the USA most federal holidays fall on a Monday, which means three-day weekends and very busy roads. The dates below are the official federal holidays; individual states add their own. Where a holiday falls on a weekend, the federal observance shifts to the nearest weekday — that is why Christmas 2027 is listed on 24 December.
Festivals Worth Planning a Trip Around
Beyond the stat holidays — the events that define the travel year.
Independence Day — 4 July 2026 (Sat) — federal observance Fri 3 July
The Fourth of July is the one day the whole country stops. Fireworks launch from every town pier and baseball field, and Washington DC puts on its show over the National Mall. Book accommodation at least three months ahead — and expect every domestic flight that week to be full.
Thanksgiving Day — 26 November 2026 (Thu)
Thanksgiving is the biggest travel week of the American year — around 50 million people move. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down Central Park West in NYC from 8:30am with giant balloons; arrive by 7am for a curbside spot, or watch it from a hotel room above 59th Street.
Christmas Day — 25 December 2026 (Fri)
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit in early December and stays up into January — it is free, it is outdoors, and the surrounding Fifth Avenue window displays are worth the walk. Go on a weeknight after 10pm if you want the plaza without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.
New Year's Eve — 31 December 2026 (Thu)
Times Square on New Year's Eve is the most famous countdown in the world — and the most testing: no bags, no alcohol, no public toilets, and you stand in one spot from late afternoon. The ball drops at midnight after a minute-long descent. Dress for hours below freezing.
💡 Quick Tips
- Federal holidays mean closed banks, post offices and most government offices — but shops, restaurants and attractions generally stay open.
- The Sunday after Thanksgiving and the days around 4 July are the two worst times to fly domestically; if you must, book morning departures.
- Museum and attraction hours vary on holidays — always check the official site the week before you go.
⚡ Pro Tips
- 2027 is a gift for long weekends: Christmas falls on Saturday, so the federal holiday moves to Friday 24 December, giving a three-day break.
- Thanksgiving week flights are cheapest on the day itself — fly Thursday morning, return Monday, and you skip both rush days.
📋 Summary
Every federal holiday in the USA for 2026 and 2027, plus the four events worth planning a trip around: Independence Day fireworks, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shops open on US federal holidays?
Yes, with rare exceptions. Supermarkets, malls and restaurants trade normally on most federal holidays; only Christmas Day and Thanksgiving see widespread closures. Banks and post offices do close.
Why does Christmas 2027 fall on 24 December?
Because 25 December 2027 is a Saturday. US federal rules move a holiday that falls on a Saturday to the preceding Friday, so the federal day off is Friday 24 December. Most businesses still treat the 25th as the holiday.
When is the best time to visit the USA to avoid crowds?
Late January to early March and mid-September to early November are the quietest windows outside school holidays. Avoid the week of Thanksgiving, late December and the first two weeks of July if you dislike crowds.
