Checking your phone to see if you have to work is a mood. Honestly, we’ve all been there, staring at a quiet inbox and wondering if we missed the memo. If you are asking is today holiday in United States, the short answer for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is no.
It is a regular business day.
No mail trucks are staying in the garage today. The banks are open. Your local DMV is—unfortunately—probably running on its normal, slow schedule. While the post-New Year blues are definitely hitting hard right about now, today doesn't carry the weight of a federal or major public holiday. It’s just a Tuesday. But, as with anything involving the US calendar, there is actually a bit more nuance to it than just a "yes" or "no" if you look at the state level or the "national day" culture that has taken over social media.
Why people keep asking is today holiday in United States
People get confused this time of year because January is packed with "almost" holidays. We just got over the massive New Year's Day break, and we are currently sitting in that weird limbo before the next big one.
The big anchor for January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2026, that falls on Monday, January 19. Because it’s a "floating" holiday—always the third Monday of the month—the dates shift every year. If you’re feeling like today should be a holiday, you’re likely just sensing that upcoming long weekend on the horizon.
The Federal vs. State distinction
In the US, "holiday" is a loose term.
The federal government recognizes 11 specific holidays. On these days, non-essential federal offices close, and the United States Postal Service takes a breather.
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- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Washington’s Birthday (Presidents' Day)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Today, January 13, doesn't make that cut.
The "National Day" Rabbit Hole
Even if Uncle Sam says it's a work day, your Instagram feed might tell you otherwise. We live in the era of the "Boutique Holiday."
Basically, every day of the year has been claimed by some interest group, brand, or hobbyist collective. Today happens to be National Sticker Day. It’s also National Peach Melba Day and National Rubber Ducky Day. While these are fun for marketing teams at craft stores or dessert shops, they don't grant you a day off.
It’s kind of wild how these "holidays" started. National Sticker Day, for instance, is actually a nod to Ray Stanton Avery, who was born on this day in 1907. He’s the guy who invented the first self-adhesive label. So, while you're sitting at your desk today, you can thank Mr. Avery for the fact that you don't have to lick stamps anymore, but you still have to answer those emails.
State-Specific Quirks you might have missed
Sometimes, a day isn't a national holiday, but a specific state decides to do its own thing. This is where the is today holiday in United States question gets tricky for travelers or people working remote jobs across state lines.
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Take Lee-Jackson Day in Virginia, for example. For years, this was observed on the Friday before MLK Day. However, Virginia did away with that back in 2020, replacing it with Election Day as a state holiday.
There are no specific state-level public holidays observed on January 13, 2026, either.
However, if you work in the private sector, your company's "floating holiday" policy is the only thing that matters. Some tech firms and progressive startups offer "recharge days" in mid-January to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or burnout after the Q4 rush. If your office is empty today, check your internal HR portal—you might have just missed a company-specific perk.
What is actually closed today?
Since it isn't a federal holiday, almost everything is functioning at 100% capacity.
- The Stock Market: The NYSE and NASDAQ are trading as usual.
- Public Schools: Unless there is a local "Professional Development" day or a weather-related closure (check those local news tickers if you're in a snow zone!), kids are in class.
- Public Transportation: Buses and subways are on their standard weekday schedules.
- Retail and Grocery: Stores like Walmart, Target, and Costco are open. In fact, many are currently in the middle of their post-holiday clearance events or early Valentine's Day stocking.
Looking ahead: When is the next real break?
If you're bummed that today isn't a holiday, mark your calendar for Monday, January 19, 2026.
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That is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That’s the one that counts. Banks will close. The mail will stop. Most white-collar offices will be dark. It’s a day intended for service and reflection, but for the American workforce, it’s also the first significant breath of air after the chaos of the December holidays.
After that, you're looking at a pretty long stretch until Monday, February 16, which is Presidents' Day.
How to handle a "Non-Holiday" Tuesday
Since we’ve established that today is, in fact, a regular work day, the best way to move forward is to lean into the routine. January is often the most productive month for businesses because everyone is back from vacation and trying to hit their new year targets.
If you were hoping for a break, try to find a way to incorporate one of those "micro-holidays" mentioned earlier. Maybe grab a Peach Melba or buy some stickers for your planner.
Actionable steps for your Tuesday
- Check your local school district calendar: While it’s not a federal holiday, local districts often schedule "Teacher Work Days" in mid-January. If you have kids, verify they actually have school.
- Verify bank transactions: Since banks are open, any transfers or deposits you make today will process on the standard timeline. No holiday delays to worry about.
- Prep for the 19th: If you manage a team or run a business, today is the day to confirm your schedule for next Monday. Since MLK Day is a federal holiday, ensure your clients know if you'll be offline.
- Review your "Floating Holidays": If you’re feeling burnt out, check your employee handbook. Many US companies provide 1-2 floating holidays per year that can be used whenever you want—including a random Tuesday in January.
So, while the answer to is today holiday in United States is a resounding "no" for the general public, it's a great day to get ahead before the three-day weekend arrives next week. Clear that inbox now so you can actually enjoy the real holiday when it gets here.