US federal holidays 2026
Is July 4, 2026 a Federal Holiday?
Yes. July 4, 2026 is Independence Day and a US federal legal holiday. Because it falls on a Saturday, federal work schedules use Friday, July 3, 2026 as the weekday observance. July 4 remains the legal holiday and the date for Independence Day celebrations.
Why July 4 Is Still the Federal Holiday
Independence Day is always July 4. In 2026, that date falls on a Saturday, but the holiday itself does not move. July 4 remains the legal holiday name, the anniversary date, and the date people use for celebrations, events, and historical references.
That distinction matters because many searches mix two questions together: whether July 4 is a federal holiday, and which weekday federal offices use for schedules. This page answers the July 4 question. For the Friday closure date, see Is July 3, 2026 a federal holiday?.
July 4 vs. July 3, 2026
The simplest way to read the 2026 Independence Day calendar is to keep two dates in mind: July 4 is the holiday, while July 3 is the weekday observance for federal work schedules.
How Closures Work Around July 4, 2026
Closure planning for the 2026 Independence Day weekend mostly points back to Friday, July 3. July 4 is a Saturday, so weekday office, banking, and mail schedules usually use the Friday observance instead.
Federal offices
Federal offices use Friday, July 3, 2026 as the weekday observance because July 4 is a Saturday.
Banks and mail
Banks and USPS may follow the Friday observance, but branch and service details can vary.
Schools and businesses
Private employers and schools set their own schedules, so check local guidance for the holiday weekend.
Planning Around the July 4, 2026 Holiday Weekend
For celebrations, public notices, event listings, and historical references, use Saturday, July 4 as Independence Day. For work schedules and service availability, check whether the institution follows the Friday, July 3 observance.
For personal time-off requests, check whether your employer uses the federal observed date or gives the actual July 4 off instead. Some private employers give both days; others give only one. The federal holiday entitlement for federal employees applies to July 3.
For event planning, use July 4 as the Independence Day date for celebrations and references. The observed date on July 3 is a scheduling convention, not a change to when Independence Day is celebrated.
Related 2026 US Federal Holidays
The federal holiday before Independence Day is Juneteenth National Independence Day on Friday, June 19, 2026. After Independence Day, the next federal holiday is Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026. For the complete schedule, see the full 2026 US federal holiday calendar. For the observed Friday holiday, see Is July 3, 2026 a federal holiday?
FAQ
Is July 4, 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. July 4, 2026 is Independence Day, a US federal holiday. Because July 4 falls on a Saturday, federal work schedules use Friday, July 3, 2026 as the weekday observance.
Is July 4 or July 3 the federal holiday in 2026?
July 4 is the legal Independence Day holiday. July 3 is the weekday observance used for federal work schedules because the legal holiday falls on a Saturday.
Do federal offices close on July 4 or July 3, 2026?
Federal offices use Friday, July 3, 2026 as the weekday observance. July 4 is still Independence Day, but it falls on a Saturday.
Where can I see all 2026 US federal holidays?
The full 2026 US federal holiday calendar is available on the Year Holidays homepage, including observed dates, actual dates, and an ICS calendar download.