For Indian professionals, IT companies, and export businesses, keeping track of the United States holiday calendar is not just about general knowledge—it is a business necessity.
The official schedule for US Holidays 2026 has been confirmed, and there are some important updates regarding “observed” dates that will affect project deadlines and bank transactions. In 2026, several major holidays fall on weekends, leading to Friday observances that create extended long weekends.
This guide covers the complete 2026 federal holiday list, stock market closures, and exactly how these dates impact Indian teams working with US clients.
Official US Federal Holidays 2026 List
| Holiday Name | Official Date | 2026 Observed Date | Day of Week |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Thursday |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Jan 19 | Jan 19 | Monday |
| Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) | Feb 16 | Feb 16 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | May 25 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19 | June 19 | Friday |
| Independence Day | July 4 | July 3 | Friday (Observed) |
| Labor Day | Sept 7 | Sept 7 | Monday |
| Columbus Day | Oct 12 | Oct 12 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | Nov 11 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 26 | Nov 26 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Dec 25 | Friday |
Important Update for 2026: Since Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Saturday, the federal holiday will be observed on Friday, July 3. This means US clients will be unavailable for a long weekend from July 3rd to July 5th.
US Stock Market Holidays 2026 (NYSE & Nasdaq)
If you are an investor in India trading in US stocks (via platforms like Vested, INDmoney, or Groww) or working in the fintech sector, note that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq strictly follow the federal schedule, with two exceptions:
Columbus Day (Oct 12): The stock markets usually stay OPEN, even though it is a federal government holiday.
Veterans Day (Nov 11): The stock markets usually stay OPEN, but the bond markets close.
Early Closures: Markets often close early (at 1:00 PM ET) on the day before Independence Day (July 3) and the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday, Nov 27).
Why This Matters for India (Business Impact)
The US is India’s largest trading partner and the biggest market for the Indian IT and BPO sectors. Here is how the 2026 calendar affects professionals in India:
Project Planning for IT Teams
Indian teams often work on a “follow the sun” model. However, on federal holidays, US Product Managers and stakeholders will be off.
Action: Do not schedule deployments or critical sprint reviews on Mondays like Jan 19, Feb 16, or May 25.
Support Impact: Expect lower ticket volumes on these days, but reduced support from onsite US counterparts if escalations happen.
Banking and Payments
US banks (Federal Reserve system) close on all federal holidays.
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Delay Warning: Any wire transfers (SWIFT) or remittances initiated from India to the US (or vice versa) on these dates will be processed on the next working day. For example, a payment sent on Friday, July 3, 2026, may not clear until Monday, July 6.
The “Long Weekend” Effect
In 2026, there are 7 guaranteed long weekends (Mondays or Fridays).
What to expect: US clients typically take extra leave around these dates. “Bridge days” (taking the Friday off after a Thursday holiday like Thanksgiving) are very common. Expect extremely low email responses from November 26–29, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Presidents’ Day a holiday for US stock markets?
Answer: Yes. On Monday, February 16, 2026 (Presidents’ Day), the US stock markets (NYSE and Nasdaq) will be completely closed.
Q2: Will Indian IT companies get a holiday on US Independence Day?
Answer: Most Indian IT companies do not give a holiday for US Independence Day (July 4). However, because the US observes it on Friday, July 3, 2026, client meetings will be cancelled that evening for Indian teams.
Q3: Which US holiday has the biggest impact on work?
Answer: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) and Christmas (December 25, 2026) have the biggest impact. Most US corporate offices remain very slow or closed for the entire week of Christmas and the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Q4: What happens if a US holiday falls on a Saturday?
Answer: If a federal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is usually observed on the Friday before. In 2026, this happens for Independence Day (July 4), which is observed on Friday, July 3.
Q5: Are banks closed on Columbus Day in the US?
Answer: Yes, the Federal Reserve is closed on Columbus Day (October 12, 2026), so bank transactions will pause. However, the stock market remains open.