Public holidays in the United States play an important role in work schedules, leave policies, and overall employee well-being. As a small business owner or HR manager, understanding federal and state public holidays—and how they intersect with Paid Time Off (PTO) - can help you stay compliant with labor laws and manage your team effectively. Here's everything you need to know about public holidays in the USA in 2026, including legal implications and state-by-state variations.
These are the 11 federal holidays established under U.S. law. Most are observed by both federal and state governments. When a holiday falls on a weekend, federal employees observe it the nearest weekday. Private employers aren’t required to give time off—but many choose to do so by policy.
In 2026, the federal public holidays are:
While federal holidays apply nationwide, individual states can designate their own public holidays. These vary widely, with some states observing regional or cultural celebrations, such as:
✅Alabama – State Holidays 2026
✅ Alaska – State Holidays 2026
✅ Arkansas – State Holidays 2026
✅ Connecticut – State Holidays 2026
✅ Delaware – State Holidays 2026
✅ Georgia – State Holidays 2026
✅ Hawaii – State Holidays 2026
✅ Kentucky – State Holidays 2026
✅Louisiana – State Holidays 2026
✅ Maine – State Holidays 2026
✅ Massachusetts – State Holidays 2026
✅ Michigan – State Holidays 2026
✅Mississippi – State Holidays 2026
✅ Missouri – State Holidays 2026
✅ Nebraska – State Holidays 2026
✅ Nevada – State Holidays 2026
✅ New Hampshire – State Holidays 2026
✅ New Jersey – State Holidays 2026
✅ New Mexico – State Holidays 2026
✅ North Dakota – State Holidays 2026
✅ Ohio – State Holidays 2026
✅ Oklahoma – State Holidays 2026
✅ Oregon – State Holidays 2026
✅ Pennsylvania – State Holidays 2026
✅ Rhode Island – State Holidays 2026
✅ South Carolina – State Holidays 2026
✅ Tennessee – State Holidays 2026
✅ Texas – State Holidays 2026
Official (Full-Staffing) Holidays:
✅ Vermont – State Holidays 2026
📌 Notes:
✅ Wisconsin – State Holidays 2026
✅ Arizona – State Holidays 2026
✅ California – State Holidays 2026
✅ Colorado – State Holidays 2026
✅ Florida – State Holidays 2026
✅ Idaho – State Holidays 2026
✅ Illinois – State Holidays 2026
✅ Indiana – State Holidays 2026
✅ Iowa – State Holidays 2026
✅ Kansas – State Holidays 2026
✅ Maryland – State Holidays 2026
✅ Minnesota – State Holidays 2026
✅ Montana – State Holidays 2026
✅ New York – State Holidays 2026
✅ North Carolina – State Holidays 2026
✅ South Dakota – State Holidays 2026
✅ Utah – State Holidays 2026
✅ Washington – State Holidays 2026
✅ Virginia – State Holidays 2026
✅ West Virginia – State Holidays 2026
✅ Wyoming – State Holidays 2026
For a comprehensive list, check your state labor office's website or consult an attorney specializing in employment law.
In the United States, employers are not legally required to offer paid time off for public holidays. Whether public holidays are included in PTO depends on the employer’s policy. Here are the common scenarios:
Employers should clearly outline their policies in the employee handbook to ensure transparency.
Private employers in the United States are not legally obligated to give employees paid time off for public holidays. However, there are a few exceptions and best practices to consider:
If employees work on a public holiday, there is no federal requirement for extra pay (e.g., time and a half). However, some states and employers voluntarily provide holiday pay as a benefit.
To avoid confusion, ensure your team knows whether your company observes public holidays as paid days off, unpaid leave, or part of PTO. Make your policy clear in employment contracts and onboarding documents.
