When is Washington’s Birthday?
Third Monday in February. Here is the date, the background and what to know before you make plans.
Next Washington’s Birthday
Monday, February 15, 2027Washington’s Birthday dates, 2026–2031
Rule: Third Monday in February. When it falls on a weekend, federal offices observe it on the Friday before (Saturday) or the Monday after (Sunday).
What’s open on Presidents’ Day
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Closed |
| Post Office / Mail delivery | Closed |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Closed |
| Federal & most state government offices | Closed |
| Public schools | Varies Many closed for a February break; some remain in session |
Washington’s Birthday, widely called Presidents’ Day, is a federal holiday, so banks, the stock market, the post office and most government offices close. 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.
Among the 49 states with full holiday lists on Daymark, these don’t give state employees Presidents’ Day off: Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Wisconsin.
The story behind Presidents’ Day
The holiday began in 1879 as a commemoration of George Washington’s birthday, which falls on February 22. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved it to the third Monday in February starting in 1971, which means the holiday can never actually fall on Washington’s real birthday.
Washington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day?
The federal holiday’s legal name is Washington’s Birthday. “Presidents’ Day” is widely used by states, schools and businesses, but local calendars do not all use the same name or honor the same group of presidents.
Because the holiday always falls on a Monday, it creates a three-day federal weekend. Confirm Friday deadlines and Tuesday reopening times if you need a bank, court, government office or mailed document.
How it’s celebrated
Retailers built one of the country’s biggest furniture, mattress and car sale traditions around the long weekend, which is often how most Americans encounter the holiday today. Some schools and civic groups use the day for lessons on the presidency and Washington’s role as the first U.S. president.
Because the U.S. federal government’s official name for the day never changed, government documents and federal pay schedules still list it as “Washington’s Birthday,” even though almost no one calls it that in daily conversation.
Planning around the day
Washington’s Birthday planning checklist
- Before the date: Finish time-sensitive banking or government business before the holiday weekend.
- Check locally: Check school and child-care calendars; their schedules can differ from federal offices.
- For travel: Confirm museum, historic-site and retail hours before traveling.
- Final check: Allow an extra processing day for transactions tied to a federal business day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Presidents’ Day the official federal name?
No. The federal holiday is officially Washington’s Birthday, although Presidents’ Day is commonly used.
When is Washington’s Birthday observed?
It is observed on the third Monday in February.
Are banks closed?
Many branches close because the day appears on the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, but branch policies can differ.
Is school closed?
Many districts close, but the district calendar is authoritative.
When is Washington’s Birthday in 2027?
It is Monday, February 15, 2027.
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.