By TOMYU Feb. 9, 2026, 9:26 a.m. ET
As the winter chill begins to (hopefully) loosen its grip, Americans are looking forward to the first major long weekend of the year since Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Presidents Day is just around the corner, offering a reprieve from the February grind, a chance for a winter getaway, or perhaps just the opportunity to score a deal on a new mattress.
But amidst the anticipation of a three-day weekend, the annual confusion returns: Is the post office open? Will the stock market trade? And is it legally called Presidents Day, or are we just celebrating George Washington?
Here is everything you need to know about Presidents Day 2026, from the specific date and federal closures to the fascinating—and slightly complicated—history behind the holiday.
When is Presidents Day 2026?
This year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Because the holiday is observed on the third Monday of February, the date changes each year. It can occur as early as Feb. 15 and as late as Feb. 21. This year, it lands on the earlier side of the spectrum, giving many workers and students a mid-month break.
Is Presidents Day a Federal Holiday?
Yes. Presidents Day is one of the 11 permanent federal holidays established by Congress.
Its status as a federal holiday means it is recognized by the U.S. government, triggering the closure of non-essential federal offices and granting a paid holiday to federal employees. However, because the United States does not have “national” holidays that legally bind states or private businesses, the observance can vary significantly once you step outside the federal sphere. While federal workers are guaranteed the day off, private sector employees and state government workers depend on their specific employer’s policies and state laws.
What is Closed on Presidents Day?
Navigating what is open and closed on Presidents Day can be tricky. Unlike Thanksgiving or Christmas, where a near-total shutdown is expected, Presidents Day is a “soft” holiday for the commercial sector but a “hard” holiday for the government and financial sectors.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect on Feb. 16.
Government Offices
- Federal Offices: All non-essential federal government offices will be closed. This includes the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and federal agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. If you have business to attend to with the federal government, you will need to wait until Tuesday, Feb. 17.
- Federal Courts: The U.S. District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, and Courts of Appeals will be closed.
- State and Local Offices: Most state government offices (like the DMV) and municipal offices (like City Hall) typically follow the federal lead and close for the day. However, this varies by state, so it is always wise to check your local government’s website before heading out.
Post Office and Mail Services
- USPS: The United States Postal Service (USPS) observes Presidents Day as an official holiday. This means there will be no regular mail delivery to homes or businesses, and post office retail counters will be closed. If you need to buy stamps or ship a package, you will have to use self-service kiosks or wait until Tuesday.
- UPS and FedEx: Unlike the USPS, private carriers like UPS and FedEx generally operate as normal on Presidents Day. Ground and Express services usually run without interruption, and store locations remain open. However, if your business relies on a pickup that involves a government building, that specific stop will likely be skipped.
Banks and Financial Markets
- Stock Markets: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq will be closed. There will be no trading on Monday, Feb. 16. The bond markets are also typically closed, meaning the financial world largely pauses for the day.
- Banks: Most major banks—including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank—will be closed. Presidents Day is a holiday for the Federal Reserve system, which processes payments, so traditional banking operations are halted.
- ATMs and Online Banking: While physical branches are closed, ATMs and online/mobile banking apps will function as usual. You can still deposit checks via your phone or transfer funds, though transaction processing times might be delayed by one business day.
Schools
- K-12 Schools: Most public school districts across the country close for Presidents Day. In some regions, particularly in the Northeast, the holiday marks the beginning of a “Mid-Winter Recess,” meaning schools might be closed for the entire week.
- Universities: Higher education is a mixed bag. While many colleges close for the day, others hold classes as usual to maintain their semester schedules. Students should check their specific academic calendar.
What is Open on Presidents Day?
While the government sleeps, commerce thrives. Presidents Day has evolved into one of the largest retail holidays of the first quarter.
- Retail Stores: Nearly all major retailers—Target, Walmart, Costco, Macy’s, Home Depot, etc.—will be open, often with extended hours or special sales events.
- Grocery Stores and Pharmacies: Supermarkets and drugstores (CVS, Walgreens) generally operate on regular hours.
- Restaurants: Most chain restaurants and locally owned eateries remain open. In fact, many offer dining specials to attract people enjoying their day off.
- National Parks: While administrative offices may close, many National Parks remain accessible. Historically, the National Park Service has sometimes waived entrance fees on federal holidays, making it a popular day for hiking and outdoor visits.
The Confusing History: Washington vs. Presidents
The holiday we colloquially call “Presidents Day” has a surprisingly complex identity crisis. If you look at the official federal calendar, you won’t find “Presidents Day” listed. You will find “Washington’s Birthday.”
The Origin (1879) The holiday began in 1879 when President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill into law making Feb. 22—George Washington’s actual birthday—a legal holiday for federal employees in the District of Columbia. In 1885, it was expanded to include all federal employees. For nearly a century, the holiday was celebrated on Feb. 22, regardless of the day of the week it fell on.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968) The shift to the current system occurred in 1968 with the passage of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Congress wanted to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workforce, believing that long weekends would boost employee morale and stimulate the economy through travel and shopping.
The Act moved three existing federal holidays to Mondays:
- Washington’s Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day (which was already on a Monday)
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day (though Veterans Day was later moved back to Nov. 11 due to public outcry).
Under this new law, which took effect in 1971, Washington’s Birthday was moved from the fixed date of Feb. 22 to the third Monday in February. Ironically, this means the holiday can never actually fall on Washington’s real birthday, as the third Monday will always land between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21.
The Name Change That Never Happened During the debate over the 1968 bill, there was a proposal to officially rename the holiday “Presidents Day” to honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is Feb. 12. The idea was to create a single holiday recognizing the two greatest American leaders.
However, the proposal failed in committee. Virginia lawmakers, wishing to protect the legacy of their native son Washington, insisted the name remain “Washington’s Birthday.” Congress agreed, and the legal name was never changed.
Despite this, the public, retailers, and even state governments embraced the “Presidents Day” moniker. It solved a practical problem: many states already celebrated Lincoln’s birthday separately. Combining them into one “Presidents Day” streamlined the calendar. Today, while the federal government still calls it Washington’s Birthday, almost half of the states use names like “Presidents Day,” “Washington and Lincoln Day,” or other variations on their official calendars.
Why Is It a “Mattress Holiday”?
If you turn on the television or browse the internet in mid-February, you are bombarded with ads for mattresses, appliances, and winter cars. How did a day honoring the Founding Fathers become synonymous with memory foam?
The trend began largely after the 1968 shift to the Monday observance. With a guaranteed three-day weekend, retailers realized that Americans had extra time to shop for big-ticket items that require research and testing—like cars and furniture.
Additionally, February is a transitional month for retail. Stores are desperate to clear out winter inventory (coats, boots, heaters) to make room for spring collections. Simultaneously, the new models of mattresses and appliances often debut in the spring, making February the “last call” for the previous year’s models. This convergence of a long weekend, inventory cycles, and consumers with tax refund checks burning a hole in their pockets created the perfect storm for the “Presidents Day Sale.”
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2026
Presidents Day is just the beginning of the 2026 holiday calendar. For those planning their year, here is a look at the remaining federal holidays for 2026:
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: Friday, June 19
- Independence Day: Saturday, July 4 (Observed Friday, July 3)
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7
- Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, Oct. 12
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 26
- Christmas Day: Friday, Dec. 25
For now, as Monday approaches, remember to check your local listings for specific hours, get your banking done early, and perhaps take a moment to reflect on the legacy of the nation’s leaders—or at least enjoy the day off. Whether you view it as a patriotic tribute to Washington and Lincoln or just a bonus day to catch up on sleep, Feb. 16 marks a welcome pause in the year.
For more information on federal holidays and closures, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website or download the USA TODAY app for the latest updates.