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There are 11 federal holidays in 2027, starting with New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1. Juneteenth, Independence Day and Christmas all fall on weekends, so they are observed on the nearest Friday or Monday. Nine of the 11 holidays create a three day weekend in 2027. New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, so it is observed by federal workers on Friday, December 31, 2027. By taking four vacation days between Christmas and New Year’s, you can get 10 days off in a row.
It is never too early to plan next year’s time off. Whether you want a long weekend away, a family trip or just a few extra days at home, knowing the dates now helps you book cheaper flights and get your vacation requests in first.
There are 11 federal holidays in 2027. Several fall on weekends, which means they will be observed on a Friday or Monday, creating a string of three day weekends.
Here is the full list of federal holidays 2027, along with every long weekend, what is open and closed, stock market holidays and simple ways to stretch your vacation days.
Federal Holidays 2027: Full List
| Holiday | Date | Day | Observed |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Friday | Friday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18 | Monday | Monday, January 18 |
| Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day) | February 15 | Monday | Monday, February 15 |
| Memorial Day | May 31 | Monday | Monday, May 31 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Saturday | Friday, June 18 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Sunday | Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | September 6 | Monday | Monday, September 6 |
| Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples’ Day) | October 11 | Monday | Monday, October 11 |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Thursday | Thursday, November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 25 | Thursday | Thursday, November 25 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Saturday | Friday, December 24 |
Bonus: New Year’s Day 2028 falls on Saturday, January 1, 2028, so federal employees will have it off on Friday, December 31, 2027.
The official schedule is published by the US Office of Personnel Management on its federal holidays page.
How Observed Holidays Work
Several federal holidays 2027 fall on a weekend. When a federal holiday falls on a weekend, federal workers get another day off instead:
- If the holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the Friday before.
- If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the Monday after.
In 2027, that rule applies to Juneteenth (Saturday), Independence Day (Sunday) and Christmas Day (Saturday). It also applies to New Year’s Day 2028.
Private employers do not have to follow the same rules, so check your company’s holiday calendar.
Every Long Weekend in 2027
The federal holidays 2027 calendar creates plenty of three day weekends. Here they are:
| Long weekend | Dates |
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Saturday, January 16 to Monday, January 18 |
| Presidents Day | Saturday, February 13 to Monday, February 15 |
| Memorial Day | Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31 |
| Juneteenth (observed) | Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 20 |
| Fourth of July | Saturday, July 3 to Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | Saturday, September 4 to Monday, September 6 |
| Columbus Day | Saturday, October 9 to Monday, October 11 |
| Christmas (observed) | Friday, December 24 to Sunday, December 26 |
| New Year 2028 (observed) | Friday, December 31 to Sunday, January 2 |
How to Turn Vacation Days Into Longer Breaks
With some smart planning around the federal holidays 2027 schedule, a few vacation days can give you much longer breaks in 2027:
| Break | Vacation days needed | Total days off |
| Christmas to New Year (December 24 to January 2) | 4 (December 27 to 30) | 10 |
| Thanksgiving week (November 20 to 28) | 4 (November 22 to 24 and 26) | 9 |
| Veterans Day (November 11 to 14) | 1 (November 12) | 4 |
| Fourth of July (July 3 to 11) | 4 (July 6 to 9) | 9 |
| Memorial Day (May 29 to June 6) | 4 (June 1 to 4) | 9 |
| Labor Day (September 4 to 12) | 4 (September 7 to 10) | 9 |
The Christmas break is the best value of the year. Because both Christmas and New Year’s Day 2028 are observed on Fridays, just four vacation days give you 10 days off in a row.
Book early. Flights and hotels for holiday weekends, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July, often get more expensive as the dates get closer.
Federal Holidays 2027 Month by Month
Here is a closer look at each of the federal holidays 2027, in date order.
New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1
The year starts with a long weekend. Most businesses, banks and government offices are closed.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
Held on the third Monday in January, this day honors the civil rights leader. Many people mark it as a national day of service by volunteering in their communities.
Presidents Day: Monday, February 15
Officially called Washington’s Birthday, this holiday falls on the third Monday in February. It is also one of the biggest shopping sale weekends of the winter.
Memorial Day: Monday, May 31
Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the US military. It is also seen as the unofficial start of summer, with many families traveling over the weekend.
Juneteenth: Saturday, June 19 (observed Friday, June 18)
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. It became the newest federal holiday in 2021. In 2027, federal workers get Friday, June 18, off.
Independence Day: Sunday, July 4 (observed Monday, July 5)
The Fourth of July falls on a Sunday in 2027, so the federal holiday is on Monday, July 5. Fireworks shows will mostly still happen on the evening of July 4.
Labor Day: Monday, September 6
Labor Day honors American workers and marks the unofficial end of summer. It is also one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, October 11
The federal holiday is officially Columbus Day, but many states and cities now celebrate it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or both. Banks and post offices usually close, but many private businesses stay open.
Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11
Veterans Day is always held on November 11, whatever day of the week it falls on. It honors everyone who has served in the US armed forces.
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November. The Friday after, Black Friday, is not a federal holiday, but many employers give it off.
Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25 (observed Friday, December 24)
Christmas falls on a Saturday in 2027, so federal workers get Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24, off.
What Is Closed on Federal Holidays?
On most federal holidays 2027:
- Federal government offices are closed.
- Post offices are closed, and there is no regular mail delivery.
- Most banks are closed, because the Federal Reserve is closed. ATMs and online banking still work.
- Schools may be closed, depending on your district.
- Most stores and restaurants stay open, though some close on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Stock Market Holidays 2027
The stock market does not follow the federal holiday calendar exactly. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are usually open on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, but closed on Good Friday, which is not a federal holiday.
| Market holiday | Date |
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 18 |
| Washington’s Birthday | Monday, February 15 |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 26 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31 |
| Juneteenth (observed) | Friday, June 18 |
| Independence Day (observed) | Monday, July 5 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 6 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25 |
| Christmas (observed) | Friday, December 24 |
Markets usually close early on some days near holidays, such as the day after Thanksgiving. Check the exchange’s official calendar for early closing times.
Federal Holidays 2027 and Your Paycheck
Because several federal holidays 2027 fall on Fridays and Mondays, they can affect when money arrives.
- Direct deposits due on a holiday are usually paid on the business day before, but some employers and banks pay a day later. Check with yours.
- Social Security payments that fall on a federal holiday are paid on the business day before.
- Bills due on a holiday are often accepted on the next business day without a late fee, but always check your lender’s rules.
- Bank transfers sent on a holiday usually process on the next business day.
Planning Travel Around Federal Holidays 2027
Holiday weekends are the busiest and most expensive times to travel. To save money:
- Book early. Airfares for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas usually rise as the dates get closer.
- Travel on the holiday itself. Flying on the morning of the holiday is often cheaper and quieter than the day before.
- Leave a day early or come back a day late. Even one extra vacation day can help you avoid the worst crowds.
- Watch for school breaks. Spring break and summer vacation can make some weekends busier than others.
Holidays That Are Not Federal Holidays
Some popular days are not on the list of federal holidays 2027, so most businesses and government offices stay open. These include:
- Valentine’s Day (February 14)
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
- Easter Sunday (March 28, 2027) and Good Friday (March 26, 2027)
- Mother’s Day (May 9, 2027) and Father’s Day (June 20, 2027)
- Halloween (October 31)
- Election Day, though some states give the day off
- Christmas Eve, except in 2027 when it is the observed Christmas holiday
- New Year’s Eve, except in 2027 when it is the observed New Year’s holiday
Do Private Employers Have to Give Federal Holidays Off?
No. Federal holidays apply to federal government employees. Private companies decide their own paid holidays, and there is no federal law that requires them to give workers these days off or pay extra for working them.
Most large employers give between 8 and 11 paid holidays a year, most often New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
A Short History of Federal Holidays
Congress created the first federal holidays in 1870, covering New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas for federal workers in Washington, DC.
In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved several holidays to Mondays to create more three day weekends. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added in 1983, and Juneteenth became the 11th federal holiday in 2021.
You can read more about each holiday’s history on the federal holidays Wikipedia page.
Federal Holidays 2027 vs 2026
Here is how the main federal holidays 2027 compare with this year:
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Friday, January 1 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 | Monday, May 31 |
| Independence Day | Saturday, July 4 (observed July 3) | Sunday, July 4 (observed July 5) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7 | Monday, September 6 |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 26 | Thursday, November 25 |
| Christmas | Friday, December 25 | Saturday, December 25 (observed December 24) |
More From ScoopsBuzz
- Veterans Day 2026: what is open and closed on November 11
- Thanksgiving travel 2026: best days to fly, when to book and how to save
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2027?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2027.
When is Juneteenth observed in 2027?
Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19, so it is observed on Friday, June 18.
When is the Fourth of July holiday in 2027?
July 4 is a Sunday, so the federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5.
When is Thanksgiving 2027?
Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 25, 2027.
When is Christmas observed in 2027?
Christmas Day is a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, December 24.
Is Good Friday a federal holiday?
No, but the stock market is closed on Good Friday, March 26, 2027.
How many three day weekends are there in 2027?
Nine of the 11 federal holidays create three day weekends, plus the observed New Year’s Day 2028 on Friday, December 31.
Sources: US Office of Personnel Management, New York Stock Exchange, US Postal Service, Federal Reserve
