It's Tuesday, January 13, 2026. You woke up, looked at the frost on the window or the rain on the pavement, and immediately wondered if you actually had to be at your desk today. We've all been there. That post-New Year slump is heavy. The tinsel is down, the fridge is finally empty of leftover ham, and the "real" year has started with a vengeance.
So, is there a holiday this week?
Technically, no. Not today. If you’re looking for a federal day off where the mail doesn't move and the banks are locked up tight, you’re currently in a bit of a "dead zone" for the next few days. But don't close your browser yet. We are standing right on the edge of a major long weekend. If you can push through the next few shifts, there is a massive light at the end of the tunnel.
The short answer is that the big one is coming up this Monday.
The big one: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026
The most significant date on your radar right now isn't actually inside the current work week for most people, but it defines the week's energy. Monday, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Because it’s a federal holiday, it creates that coveted three-day weekend.
Honestly, it’s one of those holidays that feels uniquely necessary. By mid-January, the "New Year, New Me" adrenaline has usually evaporated. People are tired. The days are short. According to data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), roughly 92% of large American employers observe MLK Day as a paid holiday. If you work for the government, a school, or a major corporation, you’re likely looking at a short week starting next Monday.
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But it isn't just about a day off. It’s a "Day of Service." Since 1994, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to treat this holiday as a time to volunteer rather than just sleeping in. Organizations like AmeriCorps coordinate massive nationwide efforts. If you're wondering is there a holiday this week because you want to give back, you’re in luck—planning for those service projects usually happens right now, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wait, what about the "smaller" holidays?
If you aren't in the US, or if you’re the type of person who celebrates the quirky stuff, the calendar is actually surprisingly busy. We tend to focus on the federal stuff, but "National Days" have taken over social media.
Today, January 13, is technically National Sticker Day.
Yes, it’s a real thing. It commemorates the birthday of R. Stanton Avery, the guy who invented the first self-adhesive price tag back in 1935. It sounds trivial, but for small business owners and artists, it’s a huge marketing day.
Then you have National Clean Off Your Desk Day, which usually falls on the second Monday of January. That was yesterday. If your workspace looks like a paper cyclone hit it, you're officially behind the curve.
Why we crave mid-January breaks
Psychologically, this week is brutal.
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Dr. Cliff Arnall famously coined the term "Blue Monday" years ago. While the "science" behind the specific formula (weather + debt + time since Christmas) is mostly a marketing gimmick for travel agencies, the sentiment is real. We look for a holiday this week because our brains are searching for a dopamine hit to replace the holiday high of December.
International holidays you might have missed
If you have colleagues in other parts of the world, your Slack notifications might be quieter than usual for different reasons.
- Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) in Japan: This occurred on Monday, January 12. It’s a massive celebration for everyone who turned 20 (the age of adulthood in Japan) over the past year.
- Lohri: Falling on January 13, this is a popular winter Punjabi folk festival celebrated primarily in Northern India. It marks the end of the winter solstice and the movement of the sun towards the northern hemisphere. If you see people lighting bonfires and eating sesame seeds and jaggery today, that’s why.
- Orthodox New Year: This lands on Wednesday, January 14. For many Eastern Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar, the "Old New Year" is a time for family dinners and traditional celebrations.
What’s open and what’s closed?
Since we've established that the major federal holiday is this coming Monday (the 19th), the current week remains largely "business as usual."
- Post Offices: Open all this week. Closed Monday.
- Banks: Most follow the Federal Reserve schedule. They are open Tuesday through Saturday but will shut down for the MLK holiday.
- Public Schools: Most are in full swing this week, though some districts use the Friday before MLK Day for "Professional Development," giving kids a four-day weekend. You’ll want to check your local district calendar for that one.
- Stock Market: The NYSE and NASDAQ are operating on normal hours until next Monday.
Making the most of the "Non-Holiday" week
Since there isn't a federal holiday today, the best strategy is preparation.
If you are planning to travel for the long weekend, prices usually spike about 48 hours before the Friday exodus. If you're looking at a quick trip to somewhere warmer—maybe Florida or Arizona—booking your flights or hotels right now, mid-week, is statistically your best bet for a lower rate.
Also, keep an eye on "White Sales."
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Historically, January is the month for linen and bedding discounts. This started way back in 1878 with John Wanamaker, who wanted to keep the department stores busy during the slow winter months. If you don't have a holiday to celebrate, you might as well celebrate a 40% discount on high-thread-count sheets.
Looking ahead to the rest of the month
Once we get past the MLK weekend, the holiday calendar for January 2026 starts to get a bit interesting depending on where you are.
January 26 is Australia Day. It’s a massive public holiday in Australia, though it’s also a day of significant reflection and protest regarding the history of the First Nations people. If you do business with Australian firms, expect a total blackout on that following Monday.
In the US, we also have Data Privacy Day on January 28. It isn't a day where you get to stay home and watch Netflix, but it is a globally recognized day to check your passwords and ensure you haven't been hacked. It's the "boring" holiday we all actually need.
Practical steps for your week
Instead of feeling bummed that today isn't a day off, use the "dead space" of this week to get ahead.
- Audit your subscriptions: Since it's mid-January, those "free trials" you signed up for in December are starting to bill you. Take ten minutes to cancel the ones you aren't using.
- Prep for Monday’s closure: If you have errands that require a bank or a government office, do them on Thursday or Friday.
- Plan your service: If you want to participate in MLK Day service projects, search the AmeriCorps website or local community boards today. The good volunteer slots fill up fast.
- Check the weather: We are in the heart of winter. If a storm is brewing for the weekend, your "holiday" plans might turn into a "shoveling" reality.
The answer to is there a holiday this week is essentially: "Not yet, but start your countdown." We are six days away from a break. Use this time to clear your plate so that when Monday rolls around, you can actually enjoy the rest.
The midweek grind is real, but at least now you know exactly what’s on the horizon.
Next Steps:
- Check your local municipal website to see if trash pickup is delayed for the upcoming Monday holiday, as many cities shift their schedules.
- Verify your employer's specific holiday policy, as some private sectors swap MLK Day for a "floating holiday" later in the year.
- Review your bank's mobile deposit limits, as holiday weekends often lead to delays in physical check processing.