Planning purchases around the calendar is one of the simplest ways to save. Below is the full 2026 US holiday schedule from RetailCoupons.com, with exact dates and weekdays for every federal holiday and the major observances, plus the retail dates worth marking on your calendar.
US Federal Holidays 2026
These are the 11 federal holidays observed nationwide each year. Dates and weekdays below are for 2026.
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Shopping notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Thursday | Start the year with planners, organizers, or fitness gear. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 19 | Monday | Third Monday in January; many retailers run winter clearance. |
| Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) | February 16 | Monday | Third Monday in February; a strong weekend for mattress, appliance, and furniture deals. |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday | Last Monday in May; one of the biggest weekends for furniture, mattresses, and outdoor gear. |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Friday | A federal holiday since 2021; look for cultural books and event tickets. |
| Independence Day | July 4 (observed Friday, July 3) | Saturday | Peak season for grills, outdoor furniture, and summer apparel. |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday | First Monday in September; a major weekend for appliance and mattress sales. |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday | Second Monday in October; early fall clearance and travel deals. |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday | Many retailers offer military and first-responder discounts. |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26 | Thursday | The kickoff to the year’s biggest shopping stretch. |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday | The center of the holiday gifting season. |
Independence Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, so federal offices observe it on Friday, July 3. Inauguration Day (January 20) is a federal holiday for the Washington, DC area only and occurs once every four years; it does not fall in 2026, and the next one is January 20, 2029.
Key Shopping Dates in 2026
For deal hunters, these are the dates that drive the deepest discounts of the year.
| Event | Date (2026) | Day | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl LX | February 8 | Sunday | TV upgrades, team apparel, snacks, and party supplies. |
| Black Friday | November 27 | Friday | The single biggest day for electronics and doorbuster pricing. |
| Small Business Saturday | November 28 | Saturday | Deals from local and independent retailers. |
| Cyber Monday | November 30 | Monday | The largest online-only shopping day, strong for tech and home goods. |
Other US Holidays and Observances 2026
Beyond the federal calendar, these cultural and religious dates are worth planning gifts and celebrations around.
| Holiday | Type | Date (2026) | Day | Gift ideas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epiphany | Christian | January 6 | Tuesday | Religious icons or children’s gifts for the Magi’s visit. |
| Orthodox Christmas | Orthodox | January 7 | Wednesday | Traditional ornaments or festive treats. |
| Orthodox New Year | Orthodox | January 14 | Wednesday | Festive decor or cultural gifts. |
| National Freedom Day | Observance | February 1 | Sunday | History books or donations to freedom-focused causes. |
| Groundhog Day | Observance | February 2 | Monday | Weather-themed toys or seasonal decor. |
| National Wear Red Day | Observance | February 6 | Friday | Red clothing or heart-health accessories. |
| Valentine’s Day | Observance | February 14 | Saturday | Chocolates, jewelry, flowers, or romantic gifts. |
| Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse) | Observance | February 17 | Tuesday | Red envelopes, lanterns, or Asian-inspired gifts. |
| Mardi Gras | Observance | February 17 | Tuesday | Beads, masks, or festive party supplies. |
| Ash Wednesday | Christian | February 18 | Wednesday | Prayer books or religious items for Lent. |
| Ramadan begins | Muslim | February 18 | Wednesday | Dates, prayer rugs, or Islamic books. |
| Holi | Hindu | March 3 | Tuesday | Colorful powders or Indian sweets for the festival of colors. |
| St. Patrick’s Day | Observance | March 17 | Tuesday | Green apparel, Irish decor, or shamrock gifts. |
| Eid al-Fitr | Muslim | March 20 | Friday | New clothes or sweet treats to celebrate. |
| Passover (first day) | Jewish | April 2 | Thursday | Seder plates or kosher gift baskets. |
| Good Friday | Christian | April 3 | Friday | Crosses or religious books. |
| Easter Sunday | Christian | April 5 | Sunday | Easter baskets, candy, or spring-themed gifts. |
| Tax Day | Observance | April 15 | Wednesday | Financial planners or stress-relief items. |
| Arbor Day | Observance | April 24 | Friday | Plants, gardening tools, or eco-friendly gifts. |
| Cinco de Mayo | Observance | May 5 | Tuesday | Party supplies, festive decor, food, and drinks. |
| Mother’s Day | Observance | May 10 | Sunday | Flowers, jewelry, or spa gift cards. |
| Armed Forces Day | Observance | May 16 | Saturday | Military-themed apparel or donations to veteran causes. |
| Shavuot | Jewish | May 22 | Friday | Dairy treats or religious books. |
| Eid al-Adha | Muslim | May 27 | Wednesday | New clothes or charitable donations. |
| Father’s Day | Observance | June 21 | Sunday | Tools, gadgets, or personalized gifts. |
| Rosh Hashanah | Jewish | September 12 | Saturday | Honey, apples, or Jewish New Year cards. |
| Yom Kippur | Jewish | September 21 | Monday | Prayer shawls or reflective journals. |
| Halloween | Observance | October 31 | Saturday | Costumes, candy, or spooky decorations. |
| All Saints’ Day | Christian | November 1 | Sunday | Candles or religious keepsakes. |
| Election Day | Observance | November 3 | Tuesday | Civic-themed books or stickers. |
| Diwali | Hindu | November 8 | Sunday | Lamps, sweets, or festive decor. |
| Hanukkah (first day) | Jewish | December 5 | Saturday | Menorahs, dreidels, or gift coins. |
| Kwanzaa (first day) | Observance | December 26 | Saturday | African-inspired gifts or unity cups. |
A note on movable holidays: dates for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha depend on the sighting of the moon and may shift by a day. Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date shown, so Hanukkah 2026 begins at sunset on Thursday, December 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal holidays are there?
The US observes 11 federal holidays nationwide each year. Counting Inauguration Day, which applies to the Washington, DC area every four years, the total reaches 12 in an inauguration year.
Is October 12 a federal holiday in 2026?
Yes. That is Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, which falls on October 12 in 2026.
Is Juneteenth a paid holiday?
Since 2021, Juneteenth (June 19) has been a federal holiday, so federal employees receive a paid day off. Banks, post offices, and some schools may close.
What are the “big six” holidays?
Most US employers give paid time off for these six, and they anchor the retail calendar:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Which 2026 holidays bring the biggest sales?
Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30) deliver the deepest discounts of the year, followed by the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends for home goods and appliances.
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