Honestly, the answer to is today a holiday in the USA is usually more complicated than a simple yes or no. You might wake up to find your local bank doors locked tight while the Starbucks next door is buzzing with a line out the door. It’s confusing. It’s frustrating.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026.
No, today is not a federal holiday. However, we are sitting right on the edge of a massive one. This coming Monday, January 19, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Because of how the American calendar functions, many people are already shifting into "holiday mode." You might notice that some government contractors are taking a "bridge day" or that school districts have professional development days scheduled for today to give families a four-day weekend.
The weird reality of the US federal calendar
In the United States, "holiday" doesn't mean everything stops. We don't have the same nationwide shutdown culture you see in parts of Europe during August. Instead, we have a tiered system.
The federal government recognizes 11 official holidays. On these days, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shuts down non-essential offices. Mail isn't delivered by the USPS. The stock markets—the NYSE and NASDAQ—usually go dark. But for the rest of us? It’s a toss-up.
Take Martin Luther King Jr. Day this coming Monday. While it’s a federal holiday, only about 45% of private-sector employers traditionally give their staff the day off with pay, according to data from Bloomberg Law. If you’re asking is today a holiday in the USA because you’re hoping for a break, you have to check your specific employee handbook, not just the Gregorian calendar.
Why your mail might still be moving (for now)
Since today is Friday, the mail is running. UPS and FedEx are operating at full capacity. Banks are open. If you need to renew your driver’s license at the DMV, today is actually a great day to do it before the Monday closure causes a massive backlog on Tuesday morning.
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I’ve seen people get genuinely angry because they drove to a post office on a Monday only to find it closed. They forgot that the "observed" date matters more than the actual date. When a holiday like Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the federal government observes it on Friday. If it’s a Sunday, they take Monday.
Is today a holiday in the USA? Not officially, but maybe locally
State holidays are the wild cards of American life. They are the reason you might be able to buy a car in one state but find every dealership closed three miles away across a state line.
Let’s look at some specifics. In Texas, they have "partial staff holidays." In Massachusetts and Maine, Patriots' Day is a huge deal in April, shutting down local government while the rest of the country wonders why everyone is watching a marathon.
If you happen to be in a specific municipality or working for a specific school district today, you might find that today is an "administrative holiday." These are the quiet ones. No parades. No fireworks. Just a day where the local courthouse is closed for "records maintenance" or a "staff appreciation day."
The cultural vs. legal divide
We also have "hallmark holidays" and cultural observances that feel like holidays but offer zero legal protection for your day off. Valentine’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day. Halloween.
These days often drive more economic activity than the actual federal holidays. If you’re asking about the holiday status because you see decorations or sales, remember that American retail never sleeps. In fact, retailers love a "non-holiday" Friday like today because it’s the lead-up to the MLK Day sales events. You’ll see 20% off mattresses and appliances starting today, even though the "holiday" isn't until Monday.
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How to check for closures without losing your mind
Don't just trust a Google snippet. Snippets can be wrong, especially if they haven't updated for the current year's calendar shifts.
First, check the Federal Reserve holiday schedule. If the Fed is open, the banking system is moving money. If the Fed is closed, your direct deposit might be delayed by 24 hours. Since today is a normal Friday, your paycheck should hit your account exactly when you expect it.
Second, look at the local school calendar. This is the ultimate barometer for traffic. If the yellow buses aren't on the road, your commute will be 15 minutes shorter. In many counties, today is a "grading day" for teachers, meaning the kids are home, and the "holiday" has effectively begun for parents.
The 2026 Federal Holiday List (For reference)
To keep your 2026 planning on track, here is when the country actually "stops" this year:
- New Year’s Day: January 1 (Thursday)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 19 (Monday) - This is the big one coming up.
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents' Day): February 16 (Monday)
- Memorial Day: May 25 (Monday)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19 (Friday)
- Independence Day: July 4 (Saturday, observed Friday, July 3)
- Labor Day: September 7 (Monday)
- Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day): October 12 (Monday)
- Veterans Day: November 11 (Wednesday)
- Thanksgiving Day: November 26 (Thursday)
- Christmas Day: December 25 (Friday)
Misconceptions about "Bank Holidays"
The term "bank holiday" is very British. Americans rarely use it in conversation, but we definitely feel the effects.
Even on a day like today—where the answer to is today a holiday in the USA is no—some international wire transfers might be slow. Why? Because other countries have their own schedules. If you are doing business with someone in a country celebrating a religious or national event today, your "business day" just got extended.
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Also, keep in mind that "observed" holidays are the bane of the private sector's existence. Most corporate offices follow the federal schedule, but "unlimited PTO" culture is changing that. More companies are swapping traditional holidays for "floating holidays." This means your contact at a tech firm might be "out of office" today even though the rest of the world is working. They are essentially creating their own holiday.
Why the "Friday before" matters
Since today is the Friday before a Monday holiday (MLK Day), the "holiday" is effectively happening for the travel industry.
TSA checkpoints will be slammed this afternoon. If you’re heading to the airport, leave early. Airlines treat this as a holiday weekend even if the government doesn't call today a holiday. Prices for flights and hotels usually spike starting on Thursday night for these three-day windows.
What about the stock market?
If you're a day trader, today is a regular session. The market closes at 4:00 PM ET. However, volume might be "thin." Many institutional traders take off early on the Friday before a long weekend. This can lead to weird, volatile price swings in the final hour of trading. If you have big moves to make, do them before the "lunchtime lull" around noon.
Your Actionable Checklist for Today
Since today is not a holiday, but a long weekend is looming, here is how you should handle the next eight hours:
- Bank errands: Do them now. If you have a physical check to deposit or need a cashier's check, get it done before 5:00 PM today. Most bank branches will be closed on Monday.
- Mail and Packages: If you’re expecting a delivery, it should arrive today or tomorrow (Saturday). If it doesn't show up by Saturday night, don't expect it until Tuesday.
- Government Paperwork: If you have to deal with the social security office or the IRS, call today. Their phone lines will be a disaster on Tuesday morning when everyone tries to call after the long weekend.
- Grocery Shopping: Do it tonight. Tomorrow and Sunday will be packed with people prepping for "Sunday Dinners" or Monday brunches.
- Check your 401k/Stocks: Remember that you won't be able to settle any trades on Monday. If you need liquidity by Tuesday, your window is closing.
Basically, enjoy the fact that today is a "normal" day. It gives you one last chance to get your life in order before the federal government takes a collective nap on Monday. Stay ahead of the "Tuesday crunch" by finishing your high-priority tasks now.
Keep an eye on local news for any specific regional events, but for the vast majority of the 340 million people in the States, today is just another Friday at the office. Prepare for the Monday closure now, and you won't be the person standing frustrated in front of a locked post office door in three days.