Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you woke up wondering is it a federal holiday today, the short answer is no. You've likely got a full day of mail delivery, open banks, and regular trash pickup ahead of you.
It's that weird mid-January lull. We are exactly ten days past New Year's Day and just five days away from the next big break. People often get confused this week because the "holiday season" feels like it should still be happening, but the federal government is back to business as usual.
Federal holidays in the United States are specific. They aren't just days we feel like taking off. They are legally mandated days where non-essential federal government offices close, and remarkably, the list is shorter than most people think.
Why everyone asks is it a federal holiday today in mid-January
The confusion usually stems from the looming shadow of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2026, MLK Day falls on Monday, January 19. Because it’s a "floating" holiday—always the third Monday of the month—the dates shift every year.
Last year, it was the 20th. Next year, it'll be different again. This constant shifting creates a sort of mental fog for workers and students. You see a bank closed for training or a local school taking an odd professional development day on a Wednesday like today, and suddenly you're frantically Googling to see if you missed a memo about a national day of rest.
You didn't.
Today is just a standard Wednesday. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) maintains the master list, and January 14 isn't on it. Interestingly, the concept of a "federal holiday" only technically applies to federal employees and the District of Columbia. While most states follow suit, they aren't actually required to. Private companies? They can make you work on Christmas if they really want to, though most don't because of the absolute PR nightmare and staffing revolt that would follow.
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The 2026 Federal Holiday Roadmap
If you're planning your year or just trying to figure out when you can expect a three-day weekend, you have to look at the 11 permanent fixtures.
- New Year’s Day: January 1 (Passed)
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 19 (Upcoming)
- Washington’s Birthday: February 16 (Often called Presidents' Day)
- Memorial Day: May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
- Independence Day: July 4
- Labor Day: September 7
- Columbus Day: October 12 (Also observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many jurisdictions)
- Veterans Day: November 11
- Thanksgiving Day: November 26
- Christmas Day: December 25
Notice something? There is a massive gap between February and May. That’s usually when people start getting itchy for a break and start asking "is it a federal holiday today" on random Mondays in April. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but unless your specific state has a holiday—like Patriots' Day in Massachusetts or San Jacinto Day in Texas—you are likely working straight through the spring.
The Juneteenth Shift
Juneteenth is still the "new kid on the block" in terms of federal recognition, having been signed into law by President Biden in 2021. Even though we are five years into its official status now in 2026, some smaller private sectors still haven't fully integrated it into their paid time off (PTO) calendars. However, for federal purposes, it’s as official as Thanksgiving. If June 19 falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed on Friday. If it's a Sunday, it's observed on Monday.
What actually closes when the answer is "Yes"?
When the calendar actually hits one of those 11 days, the ripple effect is huge. It’s not just about bureaucrats staying home.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the big one. No mail. No packages. If you're waiting on a check or a new pair of boots, a federal holiday adds 24 hours to your wait time. UPS and FedEx are private, so they sometimes operate on a modified schedule even when the post office is dark, but don't count on it.
Then there’s the Federal Reserve. When the Fed closes, banks usually close. You can still use an ATM, obviously, but wire transfers? Forget about it. They won't process until the following business day. This is a massive pain for real estate closings or big business deals that happen to fall on a Monday holiday.
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Courts also go dark. If you have a summons or a filing deadline, a federal holiday acts as a "buffer." Generally, if a deadline falls on a holiday, it gets pushed to the next day the court is open.
The "Floating Monday" Rule
Ever wonder why so many holidays are on Mondays? It’s not a coincidence. It’s the law. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 was a stroke of genius by Congress to give workers more three-day weekends. They took Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day and permanently pinned them to Mondays.
Veterans Day is the rebel. It stays on November 11 because that’s when the armistice was signed ending World War I. It’s about the history, not the weekend. People respect that, but it does mean that every few years, Veterans Day hits on a Tuesday or Thursday and totally messes up the work week flow.
Common misconceptions about today's status
Some people think Inauguration Day is a federal holiday today. It isn't. Inauguration Day only happens every four years on January 20 (or the 21st if the 20th is a Sunday), and even then, it's only a legal holiday for federal employees in the DC metro area. Since we are in 2026—a mid-term year—Inauguration Day isn't even on the radar.
Another one? Religious holidays.
Aside from Christmas, no religious holidays are federal holidays. Good Friday, Hanukkah, Eid al-Fitr, Diwali—none of these trigger a federal shutdown. Some states might close offices, but at the national level, the secular nature of the government keeps the doors open.
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How to check for yourself next time
Don't just trust a random calendar on your fridge that might be three years old.
Check the OPM.gov website. It is the definitive source. If it’s not on their list, the mail is running.
Also, look at your banking app. Most major banks like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo will put a little banner at the top of their app 48 hours before a holiday saying "Our branches will be closed on Monday." If you don't see that banner today, you’re good to go.
Actionable steps for your Wednesday
Since today is a normal business day, here is how you should handle your logistics:
- Bank Transfers: Go ahead and send them. They will process in the normal 1-3 business day window without a holiday delay.
- Post Office: All branches are open. If you have a passport application or a certified letter to send, today is a perfect day to do it before the MLK Day rush next week.
- Government Offices: DMV, Social Security offices, and local city halls are operating on their standard Wednesday schedules.
- Stock Market: The NYSE and NASDAQ are open. Trading hours are normal (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET).
Basically, treat today like any other day of the week. Drink your coffee, hit your deadlines, and start prepping for that three-day weekend coming up on the 19th. That’s the real break you’re looking for.