There are 11 US federal holidays in 2027, starting with New Year's Day on Friday 1 January and ending with Christmas Day, observed on Friday 24 December. Three of them, Juneteenth, Independence Day and Christmas, are marked on an observed day because the real date falls on a weekend.
The 2027 federal holiday list
- Friday 1 January: New Year's Day
- Monday 18 January: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Monday 15 February: Washington's Birthday
- Monday 31 May: Memorial Day
- Friday 18 June: Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed)
- Monday 5 July: Independence Day (observed)
- Monday 6 September: Labor Day
- Monday 11 October: Columbus Day
- Thursday 11 November: Veterans Day
- Thursday 25 November: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday 24 December: Christmas Day (observed)
These dates come straight from the OPM federal holidays schedule. You'll often see the February holiday called Presidents' Day, but OPM uses the name Washington's Birthday because that's the name in the law.
The weekend rule and observed days
When a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday before is treated as the holiday for most federal employees. When it falls on a Sunday, the Monday after takes its place. That's the rule set out in 5 U.S.C. 6103(b), as OPM explains.
In 2027 the rule kicks in three times. Juneteenth, 19 June, is a Saturday, so it's observed on Friday 18 June. Independence Day, 4 July, is a Sunday, so it moves to Monday 5 July. Christmas Day, 25 December, is a Saturday, so it's observed on Friday 24 December.
Private employers set their own days off, so your team, suppliers and customers may not follow the federal list exactly. Check with them rather than assuming.
Long weekends to plan around in 2027
Most federal holidays in 2027 fall on a Friday or a Monday, which means a lot of three-day weekends. Here's how they group for anyone planning content, shipping or support cover.
- New Year: Friday 1 to Sunday 3 January
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Saturday 16 to Monday 18 January
- Washington's Birthday: Saturday 13 to Monday 15 February
- Memorial Day: Saturday 29 to Monday 31 May
- Juneteenth: Friday 18 to Sunday 20 June
- Independence Day: Saturday 3 to Monday 5 July
- Labor Day: Saturday 4 to Monday 6 September
- Columbus Day: Saturday 9 to Monday 11 October
- Thanksgiving: Thursday 25 November, with many people off the Friday too
- Christmas: Friday 24 to Sunday 26 December
Before a long weekend, schedule your posts, set an auto reply and tell customers about any shipping delays. Drop all of these into your social media calendar now, and if you're still choosing a planner, compare these content calendar tools.
Selling to the UK as well? Their days off are different, so keep a copy of the UK bank holiday dates next to this list. And for January itself, these New Year marketing ideas help you start the year with something to post.
My take: mark all 11 dates in your calendar today, then look at the Fridays and Mondays. That's where your audience is off work and your queue needs to be full.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Federal holidays 2027: your questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2027?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2027, from New Year's Day on Friday 1 January to Christmas Day, observed on Friday 24 December.
When is the 4th of July holiday in 2027?
Independence Day falls on Sunday 4 July 2027, so the federal holiday is observed on Monday 5 July.
Is Juneteenth 2027 on a Friday?
Juneteenth, 19 June 2027, is a Saturday, so the federal holiday is observed on Friday 18 June.
When is Christmas observed in 2027?
Christmas Day 2027 is a Saturday, so the federal holiday is observed on Friday 24 December.
When is Thanksgiving 2027?
Thanksgiving 2027 is on Thursday 25 November.
