Washington state holidays 2026
Washington’s 2026 state holiday calendar lists 11 dates, including Native American Heritage Day.
Next Washington 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 |
| Mon | Memorial Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Juneteenth | Offices closed |
| Fri | Independence Day (observed) | Offices closed |
| Mon | Labor Day | Offices closed |
| Wed | Veterans Day | Offices closed |
| Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Offices closed |
| Fri | Native American Heritage DayWashington state holiday | Offices closed |
| Fri | Christmas Day | Offices closed |
Washington does not give state employees these federal holidays off: Columbus Day. Federal offices, banks and the post office in Washington still follow the federal calendar.
How Washington compares with the federal calendar
- 10 of 11 federal holidays are on Washington’s 2026 list; Washington skips Columbus Day.
- 1 state-only date: Native American Heritage 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 Washington skips, state offices stay open while federal services close.
Long weekends for Washington state employees in 2026
Washington’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 |
| Feb 14 – Feb 16 | 3 days | Presidents’ Day |
| 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 + Native American Heritage 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.
Washington state holiday questions
How many paid holidays do Washington state employees get in 2026?
Washington’s 2026 list has 11 full office-closure days. It includes 10 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 Washington?
No. Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026) is not on Washington’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 Washington?
Yes. Washington state offices close for Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Are Washington state offices closed on Good Friday 2026?
No. Good Friday (Friday, April 3) is not on Washington’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 Washington?
Yes. Washington state offices close on Friday, November 27, 2026; the state calendar lists it as Native American Heritage Day.
What happens when a Washington 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
Washington law sets 11 paid state holidays, including Native American Heritage Day on the day after Thanksgiving. Saturday holidays are observed Friday and Sunday holidays Monday. Washington does not observe Columbus Day.
Verified: Matched to the official source linked on this page. Scope: State employees (RCW 1.16.050). 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.