Federal Holidays Calendar: Official US Public Holidays and Dates
Wondering if banks, the post office, or government courts are closed next Monday? The Federal Holidays Calendar tracks all 11 official US federal public holidays, showing their exact calendar dates, observed dates for weekend holidays, and days remaining until each long weekend.
How to Use the US Federal Holidays
Follow these simple steps to calculate your exact result in seconds.
Select Year
Choose the current year or look ahead to upcoming years.
View All 11 Federal Holidays
Browse the complete chronologically ordered schedule of official US holidays.
Check "Observed" Dates
See which Friday or Monday banks and government offices close when a holiday falls on a weekend.
Plan Long Weekends
Review which holidays create convenient 3-day or 4-day holiday weekends.
How the Calculation Works
Understand the underlying formula and arithmetic logic.
Core Formula
Federal Holiday Scheduling: Fixed calendar dates (e.g. July 4) + Floating weekday rules (e.g. 3rd Monday of January)
US federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes 11 public holidays. Fixed-date holidays that fall on Saturday are observed on Friday; those falling on Sunday are observed on Monday. Floating holidays occur on designated Mondays (e.g. Memorial Day on the last Monday of May).
Edge Cases and Special Rules Handled
Weekend In-Lieu Observed Days
Under federal regulations, when Christmas (Dec 25) or New Year’s Day (Jan 1) falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the legal paid holiday for federal employees and banks.
Inauguration Day (Every 4 Years)
Federal employees in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area receive an additional paid holiday on January 20th following a presidential election.
Real-World Examples & Calculations
See step-by-step walkthroughs of common situations.
Planning Business Wire Transfer Deadlines
Context: A corporate treasurer needs to execute wire transfers before Memorial Day weekend.
Calculation: Banks and Federal Reserve Fedwire close on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Maximizing Vacation Days Around 4th of July
Context: An employee wants a 9-day vacation using only 4 days of paid time off (PTO).
Calculation: Take off Monday through Thursday prior to Friday holiday.
Comprehensive Guide: Practical Concepts & Deep Dive
Topical insights, industry conventions, and real-life guidelines.
The History and Law Behind US Federal Holidays (5 U.S.C. 6103)
Under Title 5 of the United States Code, Congress has designated 11 annual public holidays. Contrary to popular belief, federal law does not technically mandate that private businesses close or grant paid leave on federal holidays.
Instead, federal holidays legally mandate paid leave for federal civil service employees and close operations for the Federal Reserve System, federal district courts, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Because banks cannot settle payments when the Federal Reserve is closed, the commercial banking sector naturally observes all 11 holidays.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968
To provide workers with predictable 3-day holiday weekends and avoid mid-week productivity disruptions, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968.
The act moved Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day from their traditional fixed dates to designated Mondays. Labor Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day were also instituted on Mondays. Only New Year’s Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas remain on fixed calendar or weekday formulas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent calculation pitfalls that lead to errors.
✕Scheduling wire transfers or real estate closings on federal holidays
Why it happens: Fedwire is shut down, causing funds to fail to post until the next regular business day.
✓Solution: Always check our federal holiday calendar before scheduling time-sensitive banking transactions.
Complete Schedule of All 11 US Federal Holidays
Official federal public holidays, statutory dates, and scheduling rules.
| Holiday Name | Statutory Date Rule | Typical Month | Created Long Weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | January | Yes (if on Mon/Fri) |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday of January | January | Always 3-Day Weekend |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day) | Third Monday of February | February | Always 3-Day Weekend |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday of May | May | Always 3-Day Weekend |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | June | Yes (if on Mon/Fri) |
| Independence Day | July 4 | July | Yes (if on Mon/Fri) |
| Labor Day | First Monday of September | September | Always 3-Day Weekend |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day | Second Monday of October | October | Always 3-Day Weekend |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | November | Yes (if on Mon/Fri) |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday of November | November | 4-Day Weekend (with Black Friday) |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | December | Yes (if on Mon/Fri) |
Comparison vs Alternative Calculation Methods
Why dedicated online calculation saves time and prevents errors.
Checking official observed federal holiday dates prevents failed bank transfers and missed court deadlines.
| Method | Speed | Accuracy | Convenience | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TimeCalculatorHubRecommended | Instant | Official 5 U.S.C. 6103 compliance | Shows observed weekend dates & days remaining | Covers all 11 official public holidays |
Checking Standard Calendar | Moderate | Shows date, but often omits observed Monday/Friday | Paper calendar | Frequently forgets Juneteenth or observed shifts |
Calling the Bank / Post Office | Slow | Accurate | High wait times | Inconvenient for advance holiday travel planning |
TimeCalculatorHub
RecommendedChecking Standard Calendar
Calling the Bank / Post Office
Practical Tips for the US Federal Holidays
Expert advice and helpful shortcuts tailored to this tool.
Post Office and Banks Follow Federal Calendars
USPS mail delivery, Federal Reserve banking, stock markets, and national passport offices close on all 11 federal holidays.
Private Employers Are Not Legally Required to Close
Private companies are not mandated by federal law to provide paid time off on federal holidays, though most close for major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s).
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, honest answers to common questions about this calculator.