How Americans Celebrate Holidays: Traditions, Food and Regional Culture
An evergreen guide to American holiday traditions, from July Fourth cookouts and Thanksgiving tables to parades, travel, volunteering and regional celebrations.
12 min readUnited States holiday calendar
Public holidays in United States 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every United States public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 11
- Regional dates
- 1
- Observances
- 26
- Substitute dates
- 1
How public holidays work in United States
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our United States calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
1 holiday has a separate substitute or observed date in 2026. Those dates are shown in the table, but entitlements can still depend on location, employer and the governing authority. November is the busiest month, with 6 listed dates.
United States holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 38 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayThe first day of the Gregorian calendar year and a federal holiday throughout the United States. | Public holiday | — | |
| Martin Luther King Jr. DayA federal holiday honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January. | Public holiday | — | |
| Groundhog DayA popular February tradition associated with folklore about the arrival of spring. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Valentine’s DayA widely celebrated day for romantic partners, friends and expressions of affection. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Presidents’ DayThe federal February holiday officially named Washington’s Birthday and commonly called Presidents’ Day. | Public holiday | — | |
| Mardi GrasThe Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marked by major celebrations in New Orleans and other communities. | Cultural observance | — | |
| St. Patrick’s DayA cultural and religious observance widely marked with parades and Irish American traditions. | Cultural observance | — | |
| April Fools’ DayA widely recognized informal observance for practical jokes, playful hoaxes and good-natured misdirection. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Easter SundayA major Christian holiday that is also widely marked through family and seasonal traditions. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Earth DayAn annual civic observance focused on environmental protection, public awareness and community action. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Cinco de MayoA celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, especially popular in parts of the United States. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Mother’s DayA national observance honoring mothers and maternal figures on the second Sunday in May. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Armed Forces DayA day recognizing Americans serving in the branches of the U.S. military. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Memorial DayA day of remembrance for members of the U.S. armed forces who died while serving, observed on the last Monday of May. | Public holiday | — | |
| Flag DayA national observance commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States. | Cultural observance | — | |
| JuneteenthA June 19 federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. | Public holiday | — | |
| Father’s DayA national observance honoring fathers and paternal figures on the third Sunday in June. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Independence DayThe July 4 national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. | Public holiday | ||
| National Aviation DayA national observance celebrating the development and history of aviation in the United States. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Women’s Equality DayA national observance commemorating the certification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Labor DayA federal holiday honoring the contributions of American workers, observed on the first Monday of September. | Public holiday | — | |
| Patriot DayA national day of remembrance for those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Constitution DayA national civic observance commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Columbus DayThe federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October; many jurisdictions use different names or observances. | Public holiday | — | |
| Indigenous Peoples’ DayAn observance honoring Indigenous peoples, cultures and histories, recognized by many states and communities. | Cultural observance | — | |
| HalloweenA popular autumn celebration known for costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkins and seasonal events. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Election DayThe Tuesday after the first Monday in November, when federal general elections are held in applicable years. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Veterans DayA November 11 federal holiday honoring all people who have served in the U.S. armed forces. | Public holiday | — | |
| ThanksgivingA federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November centered on gratitude, family and shared meals. | Public holiday | — | |
| Black FridayThe day after Thanksgiving and a major retail shopping day in the United States. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Native American Heritage DayA civil observance honoring Native American cultures, heritage and contributions on the Friday after Thanksgiving. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Cyber MondayThe Monday after Thanksgiving, widely associated with online holiday shopping and digital promotions. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Pearl Harbor DayA national day of remembrance for those killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Christmas EveThe day and evening before Christmas Day, widely marked by family, cultural and religious traditions. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Christmas DayThe December 25 federal holiday, observed religiously by Christians and culturally by many Americans. | Public holiday | — | |
| KwanzaaThe first day of the week-long African American cultural celebration of Kwanzaa. | Cultural observance | — | |
| New Year’s EveThe final day of the calendar year, widely celebrated with countdowns and gatherings. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Date varies | Inauguration DayThe day a newly elected U.S. president takes the oath of office, with a regional federal holiday for eligible employees in the Washington, D.C. area. | Regional public holiday | — |
Stories behind the dates
Understand United States holidays and traditions
Go beyond the calendar with editorial guides to public-holiday rules, historical context and the ways people observe important dates.
U.S. Federal Holidays Explained: History, Meaning and Modern Observance
A clear guide to U.S. federal holidays, observed days off and the history, meaning and customs that shape America’s official holiday calendar.
13 min readSources for United States holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.