North Carolina state holidays 2026
North Carolina’s 2026 state holiday calendar lists 12 dates, including Good Friday and Thanksgiving (second day).
Next North Carolina state holiday: Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu | New Year’s Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday | Offices closed |
| Fri | Good Friday | Offices closed |
| Mon | Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Independence Day (observed) | Offices closed |
| Mon | Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Wed | Veterans Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Thanksgiving | Offices closed |
| Fri | Thanksgiving (second day) | Offices closed |
| Thu | Christmas | Offices closed |
| Fri | Christmas | Offices closed |
| Mon | Christmas | Offices closed |
North Carolina does not give state employees these federal holidays off: Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day), Juneteenth, Columbus Day. Federal offices, banks and the post office in North Carolina still follow the federal calendar.
How North Carolina compares with the federal calendar
- 8 of 11 federal holidays are on North Carolina’s 2026 list; North Carolina skips Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day), Juneteenth and Columbus Day.
- 2 state-only dates: Good Friday (Apr 3), Thanksgiving (second day) (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 North Carolina skips, state offices stay open while federal services close.
Long weekends for North Carolina state employees in 2026
North Carolina’s 2026 closures create 7 breaks of three days or more without using leave:
| Dates | Days off | Because of |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 – Jan 19 | 3 days | Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday |
| Apr 3 – Apr 5 | 3 days | Good Friday |
| 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 |
| Nov 26 – Nov 29 | 4 days | Thanksgiving + Thanksgiving (second day) |
| Dec 24 – Dec 28 | 5 days | Christmas |
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.
North Carolina state holiday questions
How many paid holidays do North Carolina state employees get in 2026?
North Carolina’s 2026 list has 12 full office-closure days. It includes 8 of the 11 federal holidays and 2 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 North Carolina?
No. Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026) is not on North Carolina’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 North Carolina?
No. Juneteenth (Friday, June 19, 2026) is not on North Carolina’s 2026 state-employee holiday list, so state offices are expected to be open. Federal offices, banks and the post office still close.
Are North Carolina state offices closed on Good Friday 2026?
Yes. North Carolina lists Friday, April 3 as Good Friday (offices closed).
Is the day after Thanksgiving a state holiday in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina state offices close on Friday, November 27, 2026; the state calendar lists it as Thanksgiving (second day).
What happens when a North Carolina 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
North Carolina observes Good Friday, two days at Thanksgiving and three days at Christmas. It does not observe Presidents’ Day, Juneteenth or Columbus Day as paid state holidays.
Verified: Matched to the official source linked on this page. Scope: State employees (NC OSHR). City, county and school calendars, courts, banks and private employers can follow different schedules.
Official source
Reviewed Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Confirm an important appointment with the agency responsible for it. Found a change? Tell us.