Days off are a luxury in the US, so it's no surprise that when a holiday rolls around, everyone grabs it with both hands. The tricky part is that American holidays aren't standard. How they're handed out to staff can be genuinely confusing if you're used to a more regimented schedule back home.
Here's the big difference: in the US, there's no real legal requirement to give holidays at all. Every day off you get is negotiated when you take a job. As you get more senior and established, though, you'll find there are some standards that most businesses stick to. So I thought it would help to walk through the holidays across the year. I'll cover what each one means, who normally gets it off, and most importantly, what people in New York City actually do to celebrate.
American holidays in 2026 and 2027 at a glance
There are 11 federal holidays, and the dates move around because several of them land on a particular weekday rather than a fixed date. Here's the full calendar for both years so you can plan ahead.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, January 1 | Friday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Monday, January 19 | Monday, January 18 |
| Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | Monday, February 16 | Monday, February 15 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Monday, May 31 |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 19 | Saturday, June 19 |
| Independence Day | Saturday, July 4 (observed Friday, July 3) | Sunday, July 4 (observed Monday, July 5) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Monday, September 6 |
| Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day) | Monday, October 12 | Monday, October 11 |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11 | Thursday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26 | Thursday, November 25 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 | Saturday, December 25 (observed Friday, December 24) |
When a holiday falls on a Saturday, federal offices usually observe it on the Friday before. When it lands on a Sunday, they shift to the following Monday. Private employers don't have to follow that rule, but most do.
Optional and floating holidays explained
This is where the idea of a “floating” holiday comes in. Instead of everyone taking the same day off, you get the option to take one or two extra days that you and your employer agree on. Often you negotiate them each and every time you want to use one. So one person might take a floating day for Veterans Day while a colleague saves theirs for something else entirely.
It means two people at the same company can end up with quite different calendars. Keep that in mind when you're planning trips or assuming an office will be closed. The answer often depends on the specific employer rather than the date itself.
New Year's Day / Thursday, January 1, 2026
Who gets New Year's Day as a holiday? Generally, everyone gets this one. Sometimes, though rarely, New Year's Eve is offered as a day off as well.
What is New Year's Day? New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar.
How is New Year's celebrated in America? It's a day to relax, put your feet up, and welcome in the new year, hopefully not nursing too much of a headache from the night before. You'll find parades, sports, and plenty of wholesome TV to watch.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Monday, January 19, 2026
Who gets MLK Day as a holiday? This is a floating holiday. Some people get it, some don't, and others get the option to use it as a day off or swap it for another.
What is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? It's an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., observed on the third Monday of January, around his birthday on January 15. King was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible leader of the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968.
How is MLK Day remembered? Because this holiday is relatively young, there aren't many long-standing traditions yet. More recently, schools and community groups have embraced it as something more. They use it to celebrate African American culture, the civil rights movement, and the ongoing work of moving a country forward.
Washington's Birthday or Presidents' Day / Monday, February 16, 2026
Who gets Presidents' Day off? Another floating holiday. Some workplaces give it, some don't, and others let you choose.
What is Presidents' Day? Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February. It honors George Washington, the first President of the United States, born on February 22, 1732. These days the country tends to fold it into “Presidents' Day,” celebrating both on the same Monday.
Presidents' Day isn't actually the official name, though. The thinking behind the popular name was to create a holiday that didn't single out one president but instead celebrated the office itself. That framing also sweeps in Abraham Lincoln's February 12 birthday. Still, you could argue Washington, the “Father of the country,” earns his own day (there's a good read on that from Mount Vernon here).
How is Presidents' Day celebrated? Some schools and groups mark it, but plenty of people simply treat it as a day off if they're lucky enough to have the option.
Memorial Day / Monday, May 25, 2026
Who gets Memorial Day off? Generally, everyone. This is one of the bigger holidays in the US and an official federal holiday.
What is Memorial Day about? Memorial Day, sometimes called Decoration Day, is a federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. It's worth knowing the distinction: Memorial Day honors military members who have died, while Veterans Day later in the year recognizes the service of all veterans.
How is Memorial Day remembered? Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who died in service. Volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries, and the US flag flies at half-staff from dawn until noon. It's also widely treated as the unofficial start of summer, so you'll see plenty of barbecues too. Just keep the day of remembrance at the heart of it when you make plans.
Juneteenth / Friday, June 19, 2026
Who celebrates Juneteenth? Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since 1866. It has rightly become far more widely observed in recent years, especially after the nationwide protests of 2020. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, and you'll also hear it called Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name combines “June” and “nineteenth.” It was first celebrated in Texas on June 19, 1866. That marked one year since African Americans there learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two years after it was first issued. Early celebrations involved prayer meetings, spirituals, and wearing new clothes to represent newfound freedom. Within a few years the tradition had spread to other states.
How is Juneteenth celebrated? Some cities put on huge events, while elsewhere it's a more family-oriented day of remembrance. You'll find grills, picnics, and gatherings across the country, with a strong focus on social justice and equal rights.
Do you wish people “Happy Juneteenth”? Yes. Something like “Have a happy and proud Juneteenth!” is appropriate, and it's good to share it with everyone. For more background, juneteenth.com is a great resource.
Independence Day / Saturday, July 4, 2026
Who celebrates Independence Day? Generally, everyone gets this one, and it's probably the biggest day of partying on the US calendar. Because July 4 falls on a Saturday in 2026, federal offices observe the holiday on Friday, July 3. That means many people end up with a long weekend.
What is Independence Day? Independence Day is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
How is Independence Day celebrated? This is a fun one, because people really get into the spirit. Red, white, and blue turn up everywhere, and marches roll through cities and towns. Grills get fired up and loaded with hot dogs and burgers. It's typically celebrated with friends, and fireworks close out the evening in most cities with a distinctly American feel.
Labor Day / Monday, September 7, 2026
Who celebrates Labor Day? Generally, everyone gets this holiday.
What is Labor Day about? Labor Day is a public holiday on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country.
How is Labor Day celebrated? Many people travel for Labor Day, squeezing in one last warm-weather trip before the colder seasons arrive. A long weekend away or a quiet week in the city is typical. Transport hubs get a little hectic with everyone on the move, but it's a good chance to take a breath and enjoy a day off.
What do I recommend? A little long weekend trip is hard to beat. My wife and I once headed up to Niagara to see the falls and drink some ice wine from the wineries around Niagara-on-the-Lake. Other great options are the Catskills, or heading upstate to Mount Beacon and beyond. Let me know your own recommendations in the comments.
If you'd rather not leave, I genuinely recommend staying right where you are. It sounds strange, but during these long weekends when so many people clear out, the city takes on a whole new life. It's quieter, easier to get around, and feels almost like a small town compared to the usual New York chaos. Embrace it. It's a side of the city you rarely get to enjoy.
Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day) / Monday, October 12, 2026
Who gets Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day off? Floating holiday. Some people get it, some don't, and others get the choice.
What are Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day about? Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrates and honors the Indigenous peoples of America and commemorates their shared history and culture. Columbus Day, the older holiday, officially marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
How are these days celebrated? Traditionally this day marked the founding of the Americas. More recently it has been reframed to remember and celebrate the Indigenous people of the United States. In 2021, President Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day, though at the federal level the official holiday on the books is still Columbus Day. Many communities now hold parades and events that showcase the rich history of the country's Indigenous people and use the day for education.
Veterans Day / Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Who gets Veterans Day off? Floating holiday. Some people get it, some don't, and others get the option.
What does Veterans Day commemorate? Veterans Day is an official US public holiday, observed every year on November 11. It honors all military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. Remember the distinction from earlier: Veterans Day recognizes everyone who served, while Memorial Day honors those who died in service.
How is Veterans Day remembered? It's marked by parades and church services, and in many places the American flag is hung at half-staff. A two-minute silence is sometimes held at 11am. Many veterans come together on the day, and everyone else is encouraged to support those who have served.
Thanksgiving Day / Thursday, November 26, 2026
Who celebrates Thanksgiving Day? Generally, everyone gets this holiday. In many workplaces the Friday after Thanksgiving, “Black Friday,” is given off too. It's a day of shopping deals and some genuinely wild scenes at the stores.
What is Thanksgiving Day all about? It's an annual national holiday built around a traditional meal, usually featuring turkey. The popular story says it commemorates a harvest festival shared by the Pilgrims in 1621, held on the fourth Thursday in November.
I think it's important you know that's the story told in popular culture, but there are more than a few problems with it that are worth understanding. Have a read of “Everything You Learned About Thanksgiving Is Wrong” by Maya Salam in the New York Times. It's important reading and will help you understand the fuller picture going into the day.
How is Thanksgiving celebrated? Traditionally it's a day for family, and for those who don't have family nearby, close friends. Confusingly for us, the main meal is called “dinner” even though it's eaten in the afternoon. Far more food hits the table than anyone could possibly eat. There's football on TV, groups come together, and food is shared. People take a moment to give thanks for what they have and the people who helped them get there.
Christmas Day / Friday, December 25, 2026
Who celebrates Christmas? Generally, everyone gets this holiday. Note that “Boxing Day” isn't a thing here, so don't expect December 26 off. Christmas Eve is sometimes offered as a day off, depending on your employer.
One quick heads-up so you're not caught out: in 2025, an executive order made Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas one-off federal holidays for that year only. It was not a permanent change, so don't assume December 24 or 26 will be free days going forward. Treat them as a bonus if your workplace offers them, not a given.
As a Christian holiday, Christmas isn't celebrated by everyone. In cities with diverse populations, you'll find plenty of people for whom it's just another day.
What is Christmas all about? Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It's observed primarily on December 25 as both a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the world.
Which American holidays everyone gets and which ones float
To pull it all together, the holidays that “everyone” generally gets are:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (Fourth of July)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- The Friday after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
And the ones that tend to float, where it really depends on your employer:
- Washington's Birthday or Presidents' Day (federal holiday)
- Good Friday
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (federal holiday)
- Juneteenth (federal holiday)
- Veterans Day (federal holiday)
- Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day (federal holiday)
- Christmas Eve, and/or New Year's Eve
The takeaway is simple: don't assume. When you're negotiating a new job, ask exactly which holidays you get and how many floating days come with the role. It's one of those small details that makes a real difference to your year, and it's much easier to sort out up front than to discover in late November that everyone else has the Friday off and you don't.
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Excellent summary! Twelve years and I still haven’t acclimated to Australian holidays. My wife reminds me sometimes about double-demerits when school is out.
Aha!! Holidays were confusing for me, so thanks for the rundown Josh!
We’re heading down to Cape May for this Labour Day long weekend. Meant to be the prettiest beach in New Jersey, and we’ll check out Atlantic City on the way, mini Las Vegas?
You’re great with info . I should buy you a beer if ever I meet you man .