Home2027Federal Holidays

2027 Federal Holidays.

The federal observance dates, which payment services and markets close, and the extra year-end observance on December 31.
Calendar confirmedChecked Sep 7, 2026 · Sources and assumptions
Statutory US Federal Holidays 11 Holidays 11 statutory holidays; 12 federal observance dates fall within calendar year 2027 when New Year’s Day 2028, observed Friday, December 31, is included. OPM, Federal Reserve, and market closure rules differ.
11Federal holidays
12Federal observance dates
9Long weekends from 2027 holidays
2Mid-week holidays

2027 Federal Holiday & Closure Calendar

Federal Observances, Federal Reserve Services & NYSE Closures in 2027 5 U.S.C. § 6103 / OPM
Federal Observances, Federal Reserve Services & NYSE Closures in 2027 — 5 U.S.C. § 6103 / OPM
Federal Holiday Statutory Date Observed Date (Federal) Federal Reserve services NYSE
New Year's DayFriday, January 1, 2027Friday, January 1, 2027ClosedClosed
Martin Luther King, Jr. DayMonday, January 18, 2027Monday, January 18, 2027ClosedClosed
Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)Monday, February 15, 2027Monday, February 15, 2027ClosedClosed
Memorial DayMonday, May 31, 2027Monday, May 31, 2027ClosedClosed
Juneteenth National Independence DaySaturday, June 19, 2027Friday, June 18, 2027 (Shifted)OpenClosed
Independence DaySunday, July 4, 2027Monday, July 5, 2027 (Shifted)ClosedClosed
Labor DayMonday, September 6, 2027Monday, September 6, 2027ClosedClosed
Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day)Monday, October 11, 2027Monday, October 11, 2027ClosedOpen
Veterans DayThursday, November 11, 2027Thursday, November 11, 2027ClosedOpen
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 25, 2027Thursday, November 25, 2027ClosedClosed
Christmas DaySaturday, December 25, 2027Friday, December 24, 2027 (Shifted)OpenClosed
New Year’s Day 2028 (year-end observance)Saturday, January 1, 2028Friday, December 31, 2027OpenOpen

How to read the closure columns: These are 12 OPM observance dates within calendar year 2027, covering the 11 statutory 2027 holidays plus New Year’s Day 2028. Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open on the Friday before a Saturday holiday, so June 18, December 24, and December 31 are not Fed closures. The Fed column describes the standard holiday schedule, not every payment rail: FedNow operates every day, and bank/provider cutoffs and branch hours vary. See OPM’s 2027 and 2028 schedules, the Federal Reserve schedule, and NYSE’s holiday calendar. Source checked Sep 7, 2026; verified Sep 7, 2026.

Market-only dates: NYSE also closes on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and closes early at 1 p.m. Eastern on Friday, November 26. Neither is an OPM holiday or a Fed holiday. December 31, 2027 is an OPM holiday but NYSE does not observe the Saturday New Year’s Day 2028 holiday. Check each exchange and product’s own hours.

Why Three 2027 Holidays Move

Five of the eleven federal holidays are fixed calendar dates (New Year's Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas). Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November. Under federal law (5 U.S.C. § 6103(b)), when a fixed holiday falls on a non-workday weekend, the observance shifts:

  • Saturday Holidays: Observed on the immediately preceding Friday (Juneteenth on June 18, Christmas on December 24).
  • Sunday Holidays: Observed on the immediately following Monday (Independence Day on July 5).

Statutory vs Observed Distinction: The legal holiday in statute remains the calendar date (e.g. December 25). Only the official government closure and paid holiday shift to the observed date.

The "In Lieu Of" Rule for Alternative Schedules

Eligible full-time federal employees on non-standard schedules can receive an “in lieu of” holiday. The OPM rules apply to the employee’s actual work schedule:

  • For example, a full-time federal employee working Monday–Thursday with Friday through Sunday off generally observes the Saturday Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, June 17, and Saturday Christmas on Thursday, December 23.
  • Part-time federal employees generally do not receive an “in lieu of” holiday. Private employees and contractors follow their applicable employer policy, agreement, and contract requirements; federal observance dates do not automatically confer the same entitlement.

Impact on Banking and Payroll Settlement

Federal agencies follow OPM’s observed dates, while Federal Reserve settlement services observe the Fed’s published closure schedule. Individual banks, branches, ACH operators, and employers may apply different customer-facing cutoffs, so treat the examples below as planning prompts and confirm them with your bank or payroll provider:

  • July 5 (Monday): Fed closed. A payment scheduled to settle July 5 needs a provider-approved alternative date. A Friday, July 2 payday falls before the closure; a Wednesday, June 30 submission would be an ordinary two-banking-day example, not a universal deadline caused by July 5.
  • June 18, December 24, and December 31 (Fridays): Fed open. Federal offices observe Saturday holidays on these Fridays, but Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open. An employer may still choose earlier payroll for its own closure; verify the actual pay date and processing cutoff.

Compare 2027 payroll frequencies and learn which dates to confirm with your payroll provider

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What Changed From 2026: Side-by-Side Summary

The table below summarizes statutory holiday observances and weekend calendar shifts in 2026 versus 2027 under OPM federal calendar rules and 5 U.S.C. § 6103. In 2027, three holidays fall on weekends requiring observed Friday/Monday shifts, compared to just one in 2026.

2026 vs 2027 Federal Holiday Observance Shifts 5 U.S.C. § 6103 / OPM
2026 vs 2027 Federal Holiday Observance Shifts — 5 U.S.C. § 6103 / OPM
Calendar Metric 2026 2027 Change
Total Statutory Holidays11 holidays11 holidays0 (Statutory)
Weekend-Shifted Observances1 shift (Jul 4 → Jul 3)3 shifts (Jun 19, Jul 4, Dec 25)+2 shifts
3-Day Holiday Weekends8 weekends9 weekends+1 long weekend
Mid-Week Holidays (Tue–Thu)3 holidays2 holidays (Thu only)-1 mid-week
Juneteenth ObservanceFri, Jun 19 (Exact)Fri, Jun 18 (Observed)Shifted to Fri
Independence Day ObservanceFri, Jul 3 (Observed)Mon, Jul 5 (Observed)Shifted to Mon
Christmas Day ObservanceFri, Dec 25 (Exact)Fri, Dec 24 (Observed)Shifted to Fri

2026 vs 2027 Federal Holiday Calendar Metrics

2026 vs 2027 Federal Holiday Calendar Metrics
Metric20262027 Confirmed
Statutory Holidays1111
3-Day Long Weekends89
Weekend Observance Shifts13
Mid-Week Holidays32

Worked Example: An Employer That Closes on Christmas Eve

Case Study: A Provider Using a Two-Banking-Day Lead Time

Consider Acme Corp, an employer on a biweekly Friday payroll cycle whose pay date falls on Friday, December 24, 2027 (the observed Christmas federal holiday):

  1. Check the correct calendar: Federal offices and NYSE close Friday, Dec 24, but Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open. An early payday is not required by a Fed closure that day.
  2. Employer decision: An employer or payroll provider may move the employee pay date to the preceding business day: Thursday, December 23, 2027.
  3. Apply the assumed lead time: If the employer chooses Thursday, Dec 23 and its provider requires two banking business days, count backward through Wednesday, Dec 22 to Tuesday, Dec 21. Use the provider’s own time-of-day cutoff.
  4. Confirm alternatives: Same Day ACH, where the bank/provider supports it, uses an applicable same-day submission window. It does not establish a universal Wednesday deadline for a Thursday payment.

Result: In this example, plan internal approvals early enough to meet the provider’s Tuesday cutoff. The actual approval deadline follows the employer’s workflow; there is no universal Monday, Dec 20 requirement.

Who This Affects — and Who It Doesn't

Directly Affected
  • Eligible federal employees: OPM observance and work-schedule rules determine holiday pay and leave. Contractor benefits depend on applicable contracts and wage determinations.
  • Payroll & HR Administrators: Confirm employer closures, settlement dates, and provider cutoffs separately.
  • Bank and payroll customers: Federal Reserve settlement closures can affect timing, but branch hours, wire/ACH processing, and early direct-deposit policies vary by institution and provider.
  • Mail customers: Check the USPS holiday schedule and local service notices. OPM observance alone does not determine delivery or post-office hours.
Not Affected / Exceptions
  • Private Sector Workers (without holiday policy): FLSA does not mandate paid holidays.
  • Equity Markets on Columbus & Veterans Day: NYSE & NASDAQ trade regular hours.
  • Online Banking & ATM Networks: Debit cards and internal electronic transfers continue operating.

Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays, which publishes the observed dates, and 5 U.S.C. § 6103, which establishes the 11 legal public holidays. Bank settlement holidays differ from OPM observances; consult the Federal Reserve Bank holiday schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many federal holidays are there in 2027?

There are 11 statutory federal public holidays for 2027 under 5 U.S.C. § 6103. The standard Monday–Friday OPM calendar has 12 observance dates within civil year 2027 because New Year's Day 2028 is observed Friday, December 31, 2027.

Which 2027 federal holidays fall on a weekend and shift observed dates?

Three holidays fall on weekends: Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19) is observed Friday, June 18; Independence Day (Sunday, July 4) is observed Monday, July 5; and Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25) is observed Friday, December 24.

Do banks close on the statutory date or the observed date?

Federal Reserve settlement systems observe the listed Fed holidays, but individual commercial banks, branches, payment processors, and employer payroll policies can differ. Check your bank and payroll provider before assuming an ACH, wire, branch, or direct-deposit cutoff.

What is the 'in lieu of' holiday rule for employees with alternative work schedules?

Eligible full-time federal employees follow OPM’s in-lieu-of rules for their actual work schedule; a Monday–Thursday employee may observe a Saturday holiday on Thursday. Part-time federal employees generally do not receive an in-lieu-of holiday, and private employees follow applicable policy or contract terms.

How do 2027 holiday shifts affect payroll direct deposit timing?

Payroll providers commonly impose 1- to 2-banking-day lead times, but the actual pay date, early-pay decision, file cutoff, and employee availability are employer/provider dependent. Confirm the schedule with the payroll operator.

Are private sector employers legally required to provide paid federal holidays?

No. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), private employers are not required to offer paid holidays or premium holiday pay unless mandated by company policy, contract, or union agreement.

Is Inauguration Day a federal holiday in 2027?

No. Presidential Inauguration Day is a federal holiday only every fourth year (e.g., 2025, 2029) and applies strictly to federal employees in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Which 2027 federal holidays create 3-day holiday weekends?

For a Monday–Friday federal schedule, 9 of the 11 statutory 2027 holidays create three-day weekends: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Christmas. The separate New Year's Day 2028 observance on December 31 adds a year-end long weekend extending into 2028.

What are the only two 2027 federal holidays that fall mid-week?

Veterans Day (Thursday, November 11, 2027) and Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 25, 2027) are the only two holidays falling on a weekday other than Monday or Friday.

Does the stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) close on all 11 federal holidays?

No. Major US stock exchanges close for 9 of the 11 holidays, remaining open on Columbus Day and Veterans Day.

Does the US Postal Service (USPS) deliver mail on observed federal holidays?

USPS publishes its own holiday and service schedule. Do not infer delivery or post-office hours from the OPM federal-employee calendar, especially when a holiday falls on Saturday. Check USPS service notices for the date and location you need.

What is the official federal name for Presidents' Day?

Under 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a), the statutory federal holiday is officially named 'Washington's Birthday'.

What is the official federal name for Indigenous Peoples' Day?

In the federal statutory code, the second Monday of October is designated 'Columbus Day', although many states and municipalities celebrate it concurrently as Indigenous Peoples' Day.

How does Juneteenth National Independence Day behave when falling on a Saturday?

For a standard Monday–Friday federal workweek, Juneteenth is observed Friday, June 18, 2027. Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open that Friday; NYSE closes. Individual employer and bank policies may differ.

How does Christmas Day behave when falling on a Saturday in 2027?

For a standard Monday–Friday federal workweek, Christmas is observed Friday, December 24, 2027. NYSE also closes that Friday, while Federal Reserve Banks and Branches remain open. Employer closures and payroll cutoffs can differ.

Where can I view corresponding 2027 biweekly payroll dates?

Use the 2027 Biweekly Pay Dates tables for both Friday anchor cycles and the 2027 Payroll Calendar for frequency counts and holiday-adjustment examples. Your employer and payroll provider supply the final pay dates and settlement cutoffs.

Plan a payroll calendar with clearly identified schedule and holiday assumptions

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Reviewed methodology

How this page is reviewed

High YMYL · Last verified 2026-09-07

See methodology, assumptions & sources
Risk tierHigh YMYL
AuthorCalculover Editorial Team Finance and legal education
Editorial ownerCalculover Tax & Payroll Desk Tax and wage methodology owner
ReviewerCalculover Editorial Review High-risk source and limitation review
StatusCalendar confirmed
Source as of2026-09-07
Last reviewed2026-09-07
Last verified2026-09-07
Next review date2027-01-04
Expected releaseOPM and Federal Reserve schedules are published; confirm individual employer, bank, and processor policies.
Projection methodThe table separates statutory dates, OPM observances, Federal Reserve operations and NYSE closures. There are 11 statutory holiday names and 12 OPM observance dates in civil 2027 when New Year’s Day 2028 observed on December 31 is included. Federal Reserve services remain open June 18, December 24 and December 31.
Data effective date2027-01-01

Methodology

The table separates statutory dates, OPM observances, Federal Reserve operations and NYSE closures. There are 11 statutory holiday names and 12 OPM observance dates in civil 2027 when New Year’s Day 2028 observed on December 31 is included. Federal Reserve services remain open June 18, December 24 and December 31.

Assumptions

  • Dates describe the stated civil-calendar anchors and the published agency or exchange schedule, not a guarantee of an individual employer’s payday.
  • OPM observance, Federal Reserve settlement availability, exchange trading and private-employer policy are distinct.
  • Salary comparisons use gross pay before deductions and withholding; the biweekly budgeting example explicitly assumes net take-home pay. Actual deposit availability follows the employer, provider and bank.

Limitations

  • The calendar cannot determine a specific employer’s pay policy, processing cutoff, benefit deduction schedule, or an employee’s entitlement to paid leave.
  • The January 1 anchor may be paid in December 2026. A December 31, 2027 OPM observance belongs to New Year’s Day 2028; counting conventions are stated on the page.

Sources

Professional guidance: This calendar is for scheduling and payroll education, not legal or financial advice. Confirm actual paydays, settlement cutoffs, leave rights and deduction policies with the responsible employer, payroll provider or agency.

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