When is President's Day 2026? Why we celebrate the federal holiday

Presidents' Day, which occurs annually on the third Monday of February, is tomorrow. It is a federal holiday honoring George Washington's birthday while also celebrating all other United States Presidents. As a federal holiday, government and federal workers get the day off, but private-sector workers aren't guaranteed time off work.

Federal law doesn't require private companies to observe any of the 11 federal holidays, though many businesses and schools offer days off or holiday pay throughout the year.

When is Presidents' Day in 2026?

President's Day always falls on the third Monday of February. This year, it falls on Feb. 16.

Why do we celebrate Presidents' Day?

Presidents' Day was established in the 1880s to honor George Washington's Feb. 22 birthday and was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln's Feb. 12 birthday as well. While the holiday is widely referred to as Presidents' Day, the federal government continues to officially recognize the date as Washington's birthday.

Is it President's Day, Presidents' Day or Presidents Day?

The federal holiday also known as "Washington's Birthday" has three slight variations: President's Day, Presidents' Day and Presidents Day. "Presidents' Day (plural possessive) would be used when referring to all presidents individually. "Presidents Day" (no apostrophe) honors the concept of presidents as a whole. "President's Day" (singular possessive) is the least accurate if the intention is to celebrate more than just George Washington.

The most widely accepted and grammatically correct form when honoring all presidents is "Presidents' Day," but "Presidents Day" is also commonly used.

What's open and closed on Presidents' Day in 2026?

Government agencies, federal workers and most public schools, colleges and universities typically take time off for Presidents' Day. However, most private-sector employees will continue business as usual.

Most major banks will be closed on Presidents' Day, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC and Truist. Mail processed through the United States Postal Service (USPS) will not be delivered as public postal services are closed for President's Day, however UPS and FedEx will operate as normal.

When is the next major federal holiday in 2026?

The next holiday that most U.S. workers will take off is Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.

What are the federal holidays in 2026?

There are 11 federal holidays in 2026.

Jan. 1, 2026 – New Year's Day

Jan. 19, 2026 – Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Feb. 16, 2026 – Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)

May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day

June 19, 2026 – Juneteenth National Independence Day

July 3, 2026 – Independence Day (Observed)

Sept. 7, 2026 – Labor Day

Oct. 12, 2026 – Indigenous Peoples' Day

Nov. 11, 2026 – Veterans Day

Nov. 26, 2026 – Thanksgiving Day

Dec. 25, 2026 – Christmas Day

Feb 15, 2026