When is the Independence Day holiday observed in 2026?

4 July 2026 falls on a Saturday, so for most federal employees the holiday is observed on Friday 3 July 2026. Independence Day itself is still celebrated on 4 July.

What happens when a US public holiday falls on a weekend?

If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, most federal employees observe it on the preceding Friday (5 U.S.C. 6103(b)); if it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday (Executive Order 11582).

Are shops in the US closed on public holidays?

Not necessarily. Federal holidays apply to federal employees, so federal offices and post offices close. Private businesses may stay open, and individual states also have their own holidays.

ESTA INFORMATION

US Public Holidays 2026 and 2027

The United States has 11 federal public holidays. When one falls on a weekend, the day off moves: in 2026 Independence Day is observed on Friday 3 July, because 4 July is a Saturday. Below are all the dates published by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — and what they mean for your trip.

All federal holidays in 2026 and 2027

Holiday	2026	2027
New Year's Day	Thu 1 January	Fri 1 January
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.Often called MLK Day	Mon 19 January	Mon 18 January
Washington's BirthdayOften called Presidents Day	Mon 16 February	Mon 15 February
Memorial DayHonours those who died in military service	Mon 25 May	Mon 31 May
Juneteenth National Independence DayMarks the end of slavery	Fri 19 June	Fri 18 June*
Independence DayThe Fourth of July	Fri 3 July*	Mon 5 July*
Labor Day	Mon 7 September	Mon 6 September
Columbus Day	Mon 12 October	Mon 11 October
Veterans Day	Wed 11 November	Thu 11 November
Thanksgiving Day	Thu 26 November	Thu 25 November
Christmas Day	Fri 25 December	Fri 24 December*

* Observed date, because the actual date falls on a weekend: 4 July 2026 (Saturday), 19 June 2027 (Saturday), 4 July 2027 (Sunday), 25 December 2027 (Saturday).

An extra date at the end of 2027:because 1 January 2028 is a Saturday, OPM lists New Year's Day 2028 as observed on Friday 31 December 2027.

The weekend rule

OPM explains the shift as follows (Saturday: 5 U.S.C. 6103(b); Sunday: Executive Order 11582):

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, most federal employees observe it on the preceding Friday
If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday

Celebrations still take place on the actual date — 4 July or 25 December. A note on names: in law, the February holiday is called “Washington's Birthday”; some states and businesses use other names such as “Presidents Day”.

What do the holidays mean for your trip?

Federal holidays apply to federal employees: federal offices and post offices are closed
Private businesses such as shops, restaurants and attractions may stay open — check opening hours locally
State holidays differ from state to state and are not included in this list

Plan around peak travel: the periods around Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July are typically very busy. Book flights and accommodation for these dates early.

Related information

USA travel guide

Every topic for travelling with ESTA

90 days on ESTA

Planning the length of your stay

Applying for ESTA

Step-by-step guide

Sources and currency

U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays (opm.gov)

Last checked: 7 November 2026. This website is an independent information service and is not an official website of the US Government or of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

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