Arkansas state holidays 2026
Arkansas’s 2026 state holiday calendar lists 10 dates, including Christmas Eve.
Next Arkansas state holiday: Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu | New Year’s Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday | Offices closed |
| Mon | George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Independence Day (observed)July 4 falls on a Saturday. | Offices closed |
| Mon | Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Wed | Veterans Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Christmas Eve | Offices closed |
| Fri | Christmas Day | Offices closed |
Arkansas does not give state employees these federal holidays off: Juneteenth, Columbus Day. Federal offices, banks and the post office in Arkansas still follow the federal calendar.
How Arkansas compares with the federal calendar
- 9 of 11 federal holidays are on Arkansas’s 2026 list; Arkansas skips Juneteenth and Columbus Day.
- 1 state-only date: Christmas Eve (Dec 24).
- Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4; state offices close Friday, July 3 instead.
On a day that is a state holiday but not a federal one, federal offices, banks and the post office stay open. On a federal holiday that Arkansas skips, state offices stay open while federal services close.
Long weekends for Arkansas state employees in 2026
Arkansas’s 2026 closures create 6 breaks of three days or more without using leave:
| Dates | Days off | Because of |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 – Jan 19 | 3 days | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday |
| Feb 14 – Feb 16 | 3 days | George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day |
| May 23 – May 25 | 3 days | Memorial Day |
| Jul 3 – Jul 5 | 3 days | Independence Day (observed) |
| Sep 5 – Sep 7 | 3 days | Labor Day |
| Dec 24 – Dec 27 | 4 days | Christmas Eve + Christmas Day |
Based on a Monday–Friday schedule. Agencies with shift work, and employees covered by union contracts, can differ. Want to stretch these further? Try the PTO optimizer.
Arkansas state holiday questions
How many paid holidays do Arkansas state employees get in 2026?
Arkansas’s 2026 list has 10 full office-closure days. It includes 9 of the 11 federal holidays and 1 state-specific date. Floating or personal holidays, if any, are not counted because they have no fixed date.
Is Columbus Day a state holiday in Arkansas?
No. Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026) is not on Arkansas’s 2026 state-employee holiday list, so state offices are expected to be open. Federal offices, banks and the post office still close.
Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Arkansas?
No. Juneteenth (Friday, June 19, 2026) is not on Arkansas’s 2026 state-employee holiday list, so state offices are expected to be open. Federal offices, banks and the post office still close.
Are Arkansas state offices closed on Good Friday 2026?
No. Good Friday (Friday, April 3) is not on Arkansas’s 2026 list. The U.S. stock market is closed that day, but federal offices, banks and the post office are open.
Is the day after Thanksgiving a state holiday in Arkansas?
No. The day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27, 2026) is not on Arkansas’s 2026 list.
What happens when a Arkansas state holiday falls on a weekend?
In 2026: Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4; state offices close Friday, July 3 instead.
How to read this list
These are the legal holidays set by Act 304 of 2001, as amended by Act 561 of 2017. Independence Day falls on a Saturday and is observed Friday, July 3. George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day share February 16. Christmas Eve is a paid holiday; Juneteenth and Columbus Day are not.
Verified: Matched to the official source linked on this page. Scope: State offices (Arkansas Secretary of State). City, county and school calendars, courts, banks and private employers can follow different schedules.
Official source
- Arkansas Secretary of State — 2026 State Holidays
- Arkansas Secretary of State — State Holiday Information
Reviewed Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Confirm an important appointment with the agency responsible for it. Found a change? Tell us.