Understanding Bank Holidays in the USA 2026
In the United States, what Brits call ‘bank holidays’ are known as federal holidays or public holidays. These are days when federal government offices close, and most banks, post offices, and many businesses observe them. Unlike the UK’s fixed bank holidays under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, US holidays follow a mix of fixed dates and ‘rules of observance’ – shifting to the nearest Monday if they fall on Saturday or Sunday.
For 2026, planning trips from the UK? Note that US federal holidays don’t perfectly align with our bank holidays. For instance, while the UK has Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April (England, Wales, Northern Ireland), the US has no federal Easter holiday. This guide lists all 2026 US federal holidays, state variations, and comparisons to UK dates for expats, business travellers, and holidaymakers.
Full List of US Federal Holidays 2026
Here are the 11 official federal holidays for 2026, with observance dates:
New Year’s Day
Thursday, 1 January 2026 Celebrates the new year. Matches the UK’s New Year’s Day bank holiday on the same date (all UK nations).
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, 19 January 2026 (third Monday in January) Honours the civil rights leader. No direct UK equivalent; our next holiday is 2 January in Scotland only.
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
Monday, 16 February 2026 (third Monday in February) Marks George Washington’s birthday; often called Presidents’ Day, honouring all US presidents. UK has no February bank holiday.
Memorial Day
Monday, 25 May 2026 (last Monday in May) Remembers military personnel who died in service. Coincides with the UK’s Spring bank holiday on Monday, 25 May 2026 – perfect for transatlantic travel alignment!
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Friday, 19 June 2026 Commemorates the end of slavery in the US (1865). A newer federal holiday (since 2021). No UK match; our Summer bank holiday in Scotland is 3 August.
Independence Day
Observed Friday, 3 July 2026 (July 4 falls on Saturday) The US Declaration of Independence. Fireworks and barbecues nationwide. UK has no July holiday.
Labor Day
Monday, 7 September 2026 (first Monday in September) Honours American workers. Similar to UK’s Early May (4 May) or Spring bank holidays in spirit.
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, 12 October 2026 (second Monday in October) Observance varies: federally Columbus Day, but many states/cities call it Indigenous Peoples’ Day. No UK equivalent.
Veterans Day
Thursday, 11 November 2026 Honours military veterans. UK’s closest is Remembrance Sunday (not a bank holiday).
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, 26 November 2026 (fourth Thursday in November) Family feasts with turkey. Followed by Black Friday shopping. UK has St Andrew’s Day in Scotland on 30 November.
Christmas Day
Friday, 25 December 2026 Universal holiday. Aligns with UK’s Christmas Day; Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December, so substitute Monday 28 December applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland (Scotland observes 2 January instead).
State-Specific Bank Holidays and Variations
Federal holidays apply nationwide for government, but states add their own. Banks often close on federal dates, but check locally:
- California: Adds César Chávez Day (31 March 2026, Tuesday – near UK Good Friday).
- Texas: Confederate Heroes Day (19 January, same as MLK Day).
- Hawaii: King Kamehameha I Day (11 June 2026, Friday).
- Many states: Good Friday (3 April 2026) as a state holiday, aligning with UK.
Over 20 states recognise Good Friday or Easter Monday equivalents. For banking, most national banks like Chase or Bank of America close on federal holidays.
Key Differences from UK Bank Holidays 2026
US holidays total 11 federally, vs UK’s 8-10 depending on nation (more in Scotland). UK dates from gov.uk:
| UK Bank Holiday | Date | US Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu 1 Jan | Matches exactly |
| Scotland only: 2 Jan | Fri 2 Jan | No US match |
| Good Friday | Fri 3 Apr | Some US states only |
| Easter Monday | Mon 6 Apr (Eng/Wales/NI) | None federally |
| Early May | Mon 4 May | Near US Memorial Day |
| Spring | Mon 25 May | Matches Memorial Day |
| Scotland Summer | Mon 3 Aug | No US August federal |
| Eng/Wales/NI Summer | Mon 31 Aug | No match |
| St Andrew’s (Scotland) | Mon 30 Nov | Near Thanksgiving |
| Christmas/Boxing | 25/26 Dec; sub 28 Dec | Christmas matches |
US holidays are more spread out, with long weekends (e.g., July 3-6). UK clusters around Easter and summer.
Planning Travel from the UK in 2026
Around Easter (April 2026 Context)
With UK holidays 3-6 April, fly to US for a ‘holiday mismatch’ – markets open federally, but states may close. Ideal for NYC or LA sightseeing without peak crowds.
Business Travel
US stock markets (NYSE, Nasdaq) close on federal holidays. Align deals with open days; e.g., avoid 19 Jan if trading.
Holidays and Events
- Memorial Day (25 May): Parades, beach time.
- Independence Day (3-6 July): Fireworks galore.
- Thanksgiving (26 Nov): Book early for family visits.
Visas: Brits need ESTA for 90 days. Check I-94 for status.
What Closes on US Bank Holidays?
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Federal offices, post offices: Closed.
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Banks: Most close (Fedwire system halts).
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Schools/Universities: Often closed.
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Retail: Varies; supermarkets open, malls may close.
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Transport: Stock exchanges closed; airlines run normally.
Tips for UK Expats and Businesses
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Use calendars like timeanddate.com or USA.gov for updates.
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Apps: Google Calendar imports US holidays.
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For remote work: US colleagues off on Presidents’ Day (16 Feb), but you’re working.
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Tax note: No direct impact, but HMRC aligns with UK dates.
This guide ensures you’re prepared for 2026 transatlantic plans. With Memorial Day syncing perfectly with our Spring bank holiday, it’s a great year for dual-nation getaways. Always verify with official sources like opm.gov for last-minute changes.
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