North Dakota state holidays 2026
North Dakota’s 2026 state holiday calendar lists 11 dates, including Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
Next North Dakota state holiday: Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu | New Year’s Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Offices closed |
| Mon | Presidents Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Good Friday | Offices closed |
| Mon | Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Independence DayObserved; July 4 is a Saturday | Offices closed |
| Mon | Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Wed | Veterans Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Christmas EveOffices close at noon | Half day |
| Fri | Christmas Day | Offices closed |
North Dakota does not give state employees these federal holidays off: Juneteenth, Columbus Day. Federal offices, banks and the post office in North Dakota still follow the federal calendar.
How North Dakota compares with the federal calendar
- 9 of 11 federal holidays are on North Dakota’s 2026 list; North Dakota skips Juneteenth and Columbus Day.
- 2 state-only dates: Good Friday (Apr 3), 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 North Dakota skips, state offices stay open while federal services close.
Long weekends for North Dakota state employees in 2026
North Dakota’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. Day |
| Feb 14 – Feb 16 | 3 days | Presidents Day |
| Apr 3 – Apr 5 | 3 days | Good Friday |
| May 23 – May 25 | 3 days | Memorial Day |
| Jul 3 – Jul 5 | 3 days | Independence Day |
| Sep 5 – Sep 7 | 3 days | Labor Day |
| 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.
North Dakota state holiday questions
How many paid holidays do North Dakota state employees get in 2026?
North Dakota’s 2026 list has 10 full office-closure days plus 1 partial day. It includes 9 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 Dakota?
No. Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026) is not on North Dakota’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 Dakota?
No. Juneteenth (Friday, June 19, 2026) is not on North Dakota’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 Dakota state offices closed on Good Friday 2026?
Yes. North Dakota lists Friday, April 3 as Good Friday (offices closed).
Is the day after Thanksgiving a state holiday in North Dakota?
No. The day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27, 2026) is not on North Dakota’s 2026 list.
What happens when a North Dakota 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
Holidays are fixed by N.D. Cent. Code § 1-03-01. A Saturday holiday is observed the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday the following Monday. State offices close at noon on Christmas Eve when it falls Monday–Thursday; Good Friday is a state holiday, while Juneteenth and Columbus Day are not.
Verified: Matched to the official source linked on this page. Scope: State offices (North Dakota). City, county and school calendars, courts, banks and private employers can follow different schedules.
Official source
- North Dakota State Seed Department — 2026 Office Holiday Closings
- North Dakota Secretary of State — State Office Holiday Closings
- North Dakota Century Code ch. 1-03 (§§ 1-03-01, 1-03-01.1, 1-03-02, 1-03-02.1)
- North Dakota OMB — Good Friday Observed, State Agencies Closed (April 3, 2026)
Reviewed Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Confirm an important appointment with the agency responsible for it. Found a change? Tell us.