You're standing at the post office, tugging on a locked door, and wondering why everyone else seems to have gotten the memo except you. It’s frustrating. We’ve all been there. Whether you’re trying to figure out if the banks are closed or if you can expect a package delivery, the question is it US holiday today is usually the first thing you type into your phone when the streets look a little too quiet for a weekday.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026.
The short answer? No. Today is not a federal holiday in the United States. However, we are currently sandwiched between two major dates. We just moved past New Year’s Day, and we are exactly three days away from Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Usually, the confusion happens because of "bridge days" or regional observances. While the federal government has a very specific set of eleven permanent holidays, states often do their own thing. Sometimes a state might celebrate an inauguration or a local hero, leaving you wondering why the DMV is closed while the grocery store is packed.
The Federal Calendar vs. Reality
Federal holidays are the big ones. These are the days established by 5 U.S.C. 6103, which dictates when "non-essential" government offices close. This includes the post office, federal courts, and most banks because they follow the Federal Reserve’s schedule.
If you are asking is it US holiday today and it happens to be a Monday, there is a high statistical chance you’re looking at a "Uniform Monday Holiday Act" day. This law, passed in 1968, moved several holidays to Mondays to give workers long weekends. It’s why we celebrate Washington’s Birthday (President's Day), Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day on rotating dates.
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But here is the kicker. Private employers aren't actually required to give you these days off.
Legally, your boss can make you work on Christmas if they want to, unless you have a specific contract or union agreement that says otherwise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 77% of private-industry workers get paid holidays. If you're in the service industry or retail, "holiday" usually just means "busier shift."
Upcoming Federal Holidays in 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 19
- Washington’s Birthday: Monday, February 16
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: Friday, June 19
- Independence Day: Saturday, July 4 (Observed Friday, July 3)
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7
- Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day: Monday, October 12
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25
Why Some States Have Holidays Others Don't
It gets weird when you look at state-level stuff. Honestly, the US is a patchwork of tradition. For example, if you live in Massachusetts or Maine, you might get Patriots' Day off in April. If you're in Texas, you might see state offices close for Texas Independence Day on March 2.
When people ask is it US holiday today, they are often feeling the effects of these localized closures.
Take "Mardi Gras" in Louisiana or "Seward's Day" in Alaska. These aren't national, but they feel national if you live there. Banks might stay open, but your kid's school might be closed for a teacher "in-service" day that coincidentally aligns with a local festival. It creates this weird sense of a holiday without the federal stamp of approval.
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The Banking and Postal Ripple Effect
The most practical reason people care about the holiday status is the mail. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a massive machine, but it grinds to a halt on those eleven federal days.
FedEx and UPS are different.
They are private companies. They don't always follow the federal schedule. While they usually close for the "Big Six"—New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas—they often operate on days like Veterans Day or Columbus Day when the post office is shuttered.
If you're waiting for a check or a legal document, check the calendar. If it's a federal Monday, don't bother checking the mailbox.
The "Observed" Holiday Trap
One thing that trips everyone up is the "observed" rule. In 2026, Independence Day (July 4th) falls on a Saturday. Because of this, the federal government "observes" the holiday on Friday, July 3rd.
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If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it’s usually observed on the following Monday.
This creates a two-day window where people are confused about whether is it US holiday today applies to their specific situation. Government employees get the Friday off, but many private businesses might still expect people to show up, or they might give their employees the Monday off instead. It’s chaos for scheduling.
Cultural Holidays That Aren't "Official"
We also have a ton of cultural "holidays" that aren't holidays at all. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and Good Friday.
Good Friday is particularly confusing. It is a state holiday in about a dozen states (including Connecticut, Delaware, and Hawaii), but it isn't a federal one. You might find the stock market (NYSE) closed on Good Friday, but your local post office is wide open. This creates a weird disconnect where the financial world stops, but the rest of the government keeps chugging along.
Then you have things like Super Bowl Monday. It’s not a holiday. People want it to be. Millions of people "call in sick," but if you're asking Google is it US holiday today on that specific Monday, the answer is a hard no.
Actionable Steps for Navigating the Calendar
Since today, January 16, 2026, isn't a day off, you should probably get back to work. But, to avoid getting caught at a locked bank door next time, here is what you should do:
- Sync a Federal Calendar to your phone. Most Google or Outlook calendars have an "Add Holidays" feature. Turn it on. It highlights the "observed" days so you aren't guessing.
- Check the "Big Six" for retail. If you're planning a shopping trip, remember that almost everything closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the other federal holidays, expect sales instead of closures.
- Confirm with local schools. School districts have "floating" holidays for professional development. These often don't align with federal days, creating childcare nightmares. Check your specific district's PDF calendar at the start of the semester.
- Verify Bank vs. Market closures. If you trade stocks, remember the NYSE follows a slightly different schedule than the Federal Reserve. For instance, the market closes on Good Friday, while banks usually don't.
- Plan for the "Monday Effect." If you have business with a government agency (like renewing a passport or a driver's license), avoid the Tuesday after a Monday federal holiday. The lines are historically 30-50% longer because of the backlog.
The US holiday system is messy because it balances federal mandates with state rights and private business whims. Usually, if the mail isn't running, you're looking at a federal holiday. Otherwise, it’s just another day in the office.