When is Labor Day?
First Monday in September. Here is the date, the background and what to know before you make plans.
Next Labor Day
Monday, September 6, 2027Labor Day dates, 2026–2031
Rule: First Monday in September. When it falls on a weekend, federal offices observe it on the Friday before (Saturday) or the Monday after (Sunday).
What’s open on Labor Day
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Closed |
| Post Office / Mail delivery | Closed |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Closed |
| Federal & most state government offices | Closed |
| Public schools | Closed Closed; many districts treat it as the informal end of summer break |
Labor Day is a federal holiday, so banks, the stock market, the post office and most government offices close nationwide. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
The story behind Labor Day
Labor Day emerged from the labor union movement of the late 1800s, honoring American workers’ contributions and achievements. The first Labor Day parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union.
President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making it a federal holiday in 1894, just days after federal troops broke up the Pullman Strike, a decision widely seen as an attempt to repair relations with the labor movement after that violent confrontation.
How it’s celebrated
The holiday is now closely associated with the end of summer in American culture — the traditional (if fading) cutoff for wearing white clothing, the last big weekend for pools and lake trips, and back-to-school season for many districts. Parades, barbecues and retail sales remain common.
The U.S. Department of Labor notes the holiday’s connection to parades and public gatherings. It is also widely treated as the informal end of summer, though the astronomical and meteorological seasons follow different dates.
Labor Day and May Day (International Workers’ Day, May 1) both honor workers, but the U.S. deliberately chose September to distance the holiday from May Day’s association with socialist and anarchist movements in the late 19th century.
Plan the long weekend
Because Monday is a federal holiday, federal offices close and many banks and delivery services change schedules. State offices, schools and private workplaces set their own policies. Check the Friday and Tuesday around the weekend if you need a time-sensitive service.
If traveling, book early and allow for crowded roads. If hosting outdoors, make a weather backup and ensure workers providing services know the schedule and compensation arrangements.
Labor Day weekend checklist
- Two to four weeks ahead: book travel and verify seasonal attraction hours.
- One week ahead: check local parades, transit changes and weather.
- Before Friday: finish bank, postal and government errands that cannot wait until Tuesday.
- For school planning: confirm the district calendar because start dates and closures vary.
Frequently asked questions
What date is Labor Day?
It is the first Monday in September, so the numbered date changes.
Is it a federal holiday?
Yes. It is a federal holiday; individual business and school schedules still vary.
Is Labor Day always the end of summer?
No. It is a cultural marker, not the astronomical end of summer.
When is Labor Day in 2027?
Labor Day is Monday, September 6, 2027.
Does school start before or after Labor Day?
It depends on state and district policy. Some schools begin in August, while others start after the holiday.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.