Delaware state holidays 2026
Delaware’s 2026 state holiday calendar lists 13 dates, including Good Friday, Election Day, Return Day and Day After Thanksgiving.
Next Delaware state holiday: Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu | New Year’s Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Good Friday | Offices closed |
| Mon | Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Juneteenth | Offices closed |
| Fri | Independence Day (observed)July 4 falls on a Saturday; the date may differ in 24/7 operations. | Offices closed |
| Mon | Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Tue | Election Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Return DayAfter 12 noon, for state employees who live or work in Sussex County. | Half day (Sussex County) |
| Wed | Veterans Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Day After Thanksgiving | Offices closed |
| Fri | Christmas Day | Offices closed |
Delaware does not give state employees these federal holidays off: Washington’s Birthday, Columbus Day. Federal offices, banks and the post office in Delaware still follow the federal calendar.
How Delaware compares with the federal calendar
- 9 of 11 federal holidays are on Delaware’s 2026 list; Delaware skips Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) and Columbus Day.
- 4 state-only dates: Good Friday (Apr 3), Election Day (Nov 3), Return Day (Nov 5), Day After Thanksgiving (Nov 27).
- 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 Delaware skips, state offices stay open while federal services close.
Long weekends for Delaware state employees in 2026
Delaware’s 2026 closures create 8 breaks of three days or more without using leave:
| Dates | Days off | Because of |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 – Jan 19 | 3 days | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Apr 3 – Apr 5 | 3 days | Good Friday |
| May 23 – May 25 | 3 days | Memorial Day |
| Jun 19 – Jun 21 | 3 days | Juneteenth |
| Jul 3 – Jul 5 | 3 days | Independence Day (observed) |
| Sep 5 – Sep 7 | 3 days | Labor Day |
| Nov 26 – Nov 29 | 4 days | Thanksgiving Day + Day After Thanksgiving |
| Dec 25 – Dec 27 | 3 days | 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.
Delaware state holiday questions
How many paid holidays do Delaware state employees get in 2026?
Delaware’s 2026 list has 12 full office-closure days plus 1 partial day. It includes 9 of the 11 federal holidays and 4 state-specific dates. Floating or personal holidays, if any, are not counted because they have no fixed date.
Is Columbus Day a state holiday in Delaware?
No. Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026) is not on Delaware’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 Delaware?
Yes. Delaware state offices close for Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Are Delaware state offices closed on Good Friday 2026?
Yes. Delaware lists Friday, April 3 as Good Friday (offices closed).
Is the day after Thanksgiving a state holiday in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware state offices close on Friday, November 27, 2026; the state calendar lists it as Day After Thanksgiving.
What happens when a Delaware 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
Independence Day falls on a Saturday and is observed Friday, July 3; employees in 24/7 operations may have a different observed date. Return Day is a holiday after 12 noon only for state employees who live or work in Sussex County. Eligible employees also get two floating holidays each calendar year.
Verified: Matched to the official source linked on this page. Scope: State employees (Delaware Department of Human Resources). City, county and school calendars, courts, banks and private employers can follow different schedules.
Official source
Reviewed Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Confirm an important appointment with the agency responsible for it. Found a change? Tell us.