Next U.S. Federal Holiday

There are 11 U.S. federal holidays in 2026. When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most federal employees observe it on the preceding Friday. When it falls on a Sunday, it is usually observed on the following Monday.

Why observed dates matter

The official holiday date and the observed date are sometimes different.

For example, Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026 and is observed by most federal employees on Friday, July 3, 2026.

For employers, observed dates matter because they can affect staffing cover, payroll rules, customer-support hours, and employee leave planning.

Are private employers required to give federal holidays off?

Private employers in the United States are generally not required by federal law to provide paid time off for federal holidays.

The U.S. Department of Labor explains that the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, including holidays, unless it is agreed between the employer and employee or required by a specific contract or policy.

Many employers still choose to offer paid holidays as part of their benefits package.

Employer checklist for the next federal holiday

Before the next federal holiday, check:

• ✓ which employees are scheduled to work
• ✓ whether your business will close, stay open, or run reduced cover
• ✓ whether the day is paid, unpaid, or handled through PTO
• ✓ whether public holiday rules differ by state or location
• ✓ whether customer-support or shift teams need extra cover
• ✓ whether employees have already booked leave around the holiday

A simple holiday tracker can help you avoid clashes and keep everyone clear on who is off.

Frequently asked questions