2026 Public Holidays by Country: Complete Calendar Guide + Download
2026 Public Holidays by Country: Complete Calendar Guide + Download
Planning your 2026 calendar? Whether you're scheduling business meetings, planning vacations, or simply want to know when you'll have those precious long weekends, this comprehensive guide covers all the essential public holidays across major countries. From New Year's Day to Christmas, we've compiled the complete list of 2026 national holidays for the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium.
Why Plan Your 2026 Holidays Early?
Smart calendar planning can transform your year. By knowing the official public holidays in advance, you can strategically plan vacations around long weekends, avoid scheduling important meetings on national holidays, and make the most of your time off. Many of the best travel deals and accommodation bookings happen months in advance, making early holiday planning essential for both personal and professional success.
United States - 2026 Public Holidays
The United States observes federal holidays that apply to government employees and many private sector workers. Here are the official 2026 federal holidays:
New Year's Day - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday) Start the year right with this midweek holiday, creating potential for a long weekend if you take January 2nd off.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 19, 2026 (Monday) The third Monday in January honors the civil rights leader, providing a three-day weekend.
Presidents' Day - February 16, 2026 (Monday) Also known as Washington's Birthday, this federal holiday falls on the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day - May 25, 2026 (Monday) The last Monday in May marks the unofficial start of summer with a guaranteed three-day weekend.
Independence Day - July 4, 2026 (Saturday) America's birthday falls on a Saturday in 2026, which means Friday July 3rd may be observed as a federal holiday.
Labor Day - September 7, 2026 (Monday) The first Monday in September provides another three-day weekend and marks the unofficial end of summer.
Columbus Day - October 12, 2026 (Monday) The second Monday in October is observed as a federal holiday, though not all states participate.
Veterans Day - November 11, 2026 (Wednesday) Honoring military veterans, this holiday falls midweek in 2026.
Thanksgiving Day - November 26, 2026 (Thursday) The fourth Thursday in November, traditionally followed by Black Friday for a four-day weekend.
Christmas Day - December 25, 2026 (Friday) Christmas falls on a Friday, creating a natural three-day weekend leading into the New Year.
Download the full 2026 US calendar
US Long Weekend Opportunities in 2026
The best long weekends in the US for 2026 include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 17-19), Presidents' Day (February 14-16), Memorial Day (May 23-25), Labor Day (September 5-7), and the Thanksgiving weekend (November 26-29). Christmas falling on Friday also creates an excellent opportunity for an extended holiday break.
United Kingdom - 2026 Public Holidays
The UK observes bank holidays that vary slightly between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Here are the main 2026 bank holidays:
New Year's Day - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday) England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all observe this holiday.
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 The Friday before Easter Sunday is a bank holiday across the UK.
Easter Monday - April 6, 2026 England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe Easter Monday (Scotland does not).
Early May Bank Holiday - May 4, 2026 (Monday) The first Monday in May is a bank holiday across the UK.
Spring Bank Holiday - May 25, 2026 (Monday) The last Monday in May provides another three-day weekend.
Summer Bank Holiday - August 31, 2026 (Monday) England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe this late summer holiday.
Christmas Day - December 25, 2026 (Friday) Christmas Day is a bank holiday across the UK.
Boxing Day - December 26, 2026 (Saturday) The day after Christmas, creating an extended holiday weekend.
Download the full 2026 UK calendar
UK Regional Variations
Scotland has additional holidays including St. Andrew's Day (November 30) and often substitutes the Spring Bank Holiday for different dates. Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick's Day (March 17) and has additional summer holidays. Always check local variations for specific regions.
France - 2026 Public Holidays (Jours Fériés)
France observes several national holidays, with some regions having additional local celebrations:
Jour de l'An (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday) - April 6, 2026 The Monday following Easter Sunday is a national holiday.
Fête du Travail (Labor Day) - May 1, 2026 (Thursday) International Workers' Day is a major holiday in France.
Fête de la Victoire (Victory in Europe Day) - May 8, 2026 (Friday) Commemorating the end of World War II in Europe.
Ascension Day - May 14, 2026 (Thursday) 39 days after Easter Sunday, this Christian holiday is observed nationally.
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday) - May 25, 2026 The Monday after Pentecost Sunday.
Fête Nationale (Bastille Day) - July 14, 2026 (Tuesday) France's national day celebrating the French Revolution.
Assomption (Assumption of Mary) - August 15, 2026 (Saturday) A Catholic holiday observed nationally.
Toussaint (All Saints' Day) - November 1, 2026 (Sunday) When this falls on Sunday, Monday may be observed as a holiday.
Armistice Day - November 11, 2026 (Wednesday) Commemorating the armistice ending World War I.
Noël (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Download the full 2026 France calendar
French Holiday Planning Tips
France's holiday calendar in 2026 offers several opportunities for "faire le pont" (making the bridge) - extending weekends by taking strategic days off. The May holidays are particularly favorable, with May 1st (Thursday) and May 8th (Friday) creating excellent long weekend opportunities.
Germany - 2026 Public Holidays (Feiertage)
Germany has both national holidays and state-specific holidays. Here are the national holidays for 2026:
Neujahr (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Karfreitag (Good Friday) - April 3, 2026 Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Ostermontag (Easter Monday) - April 6, 2026 The Monday following Easter Sunday.
Tag der Arbeit (Labor Day) - May 1, 2026 (Thursday) International Workers' Day is a national holiday.
Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day) - May 14, 2026 (Thursday) Also known as Father's Day in Germany.
Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) - May 25, 2026 The Monday after Pentecost Sunday.
Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day) - October 3, 2026 (Saturday) Commemorating German reunification.
Weihnachtstag (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Zweiter Weihnachtstag (Boxing Day) - December 26, 2026 (Saturday) The second day of Christmas is also a national holiday.
Download the full 2026 Germany calendar
German State-Specific Holidays
Different German states (Länder) observe additional holidays such as Epiphany (January 6), Corpus Christi, Reformation Day (October 31), and All Saints' Day (November 1). Check your specific state's calendar for complete holiday information.
Italy - 2026 Public Holidays (Giorni Festivi)
Italy observes both national holidays and regional patron saint days:
Capodanno (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Epifania (Epiphany) - January 6, 2026 (Monday) The Feast of the Epiphany provides a three-day weekend.
Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) - April 25, 2026 (Saturday) Commemorating the liberation of Italy in World War II.
Festa del Lavoro (Labor Day) - May 1, 2026 (Thursday) International Workers' Day.
Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) - June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) Celebrating the Italian Republic.
Ferragosto (Assumption of Mary) - August 15, 2026 (Saturday) A major summer holiday when many businesses close.
Ognissanti (All Saints' Day) - November 1, 2026 (Sunday) When this falls on Sunday, Monday may be observed.
Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception) - December 8, 2026 (Tuesday)
Natale (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day) - December 26, 2026 (Saturday)
Download the full 2026 Italy calendar
Italian Holiday Traditions
Italy's holiday calendar includes several long weekend opportunities in 2026. Epiphany falling on Monday creates an extended New Year celebration, while Christmas and Boxing Day on Friday and Saturday provide an excellent end-of-year break.
Spain - 2026 Public Holidays (Días Festivos)
Spain observes national holidays with additional regional and local variations:
Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Reyes Magos (Epiphany) - January 6, 2026 (Monday) The Feast of the Three Kings is widely celebrated.
Viernes Santo (Good Friday) - April 3, 2026 Holy Week is particularly important in Spain.
Fiesta del Trabajo (Labor Day) - May 1, 2026 (Thursday)
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption of Mary) - August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day) - October 12, 2026 (Monday) Spain's national day provides a three-day weekend.
Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day) - November 1, 2026 (Sunday)
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) - December 6, 2026 (Sunday)
Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception) - December 8, 2026 (Tuesday)
Navidad (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Download the full 2026 Spain calendar
Spanish Regional Holidays
Spanish Regional Holidays
Each Spanish autonomous community and municipality can declare additional holidays. Popular regional holidays include St. James Day in Galicia, Valencia's regional day, and Catalonia's National Day. Always check local calendars for complete information.
Netherlands - 2026 Public Holidays (Nationale Feestdagen)
The Netherlands observes several national holidays throughout 2026:
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday) - April 3, 2026 While not officially a public holiday, many businesses close.
Paasmaandag (Easter Monday) - April 6, 2026
Koningsdag (King's Day) - April 27, 2026 (Monday) The King's birthday celebration, a major national holiday.
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day) - May 5, 2026 (Tuesday) Commemorating the end of World War II occupation.
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day) - May 14, 2026 (Thursday)
Pinkstermaandag (Whit Monday) - May 25, 2026
Eerste Kerstdag (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Tweede Kerstdag (Boxing Day) - December 26, 2026 (Saturday)
Download the full 2026 Netherlands calendar
Dutch Holiday Culture
Dutch Holiday Culture
King's Day is the biggest celebration in the Netherlands, with nationwide festivities, markets, and the famous orange decorations. The May holidays create excellent opportunities for long weekends and travel.
Belgium - 2026 Public Holidays (Nationale Feestdagen)
Belgium observes both national and community-specific holidays:
Nieuwjaar (New Year's Day) - January 1, 2026 (Wednesday)
Paasmaandag (Easter Monday) - April 6, 2026
Dag van de Arbeid (Labor Day) - May 1, 2026 (Thursday)
Onze Lieve Heer Hemelvaart (Ascension Day) - May 14, 2026 (Thursday)
Pinkstermaandag (Whit Monday) - May 25, 2026
Nationale Feestdag (National Day) - July 21, 2026 (Tuesday) Belgium's independence day.
Onze Lieve Vrouw Hemelvaart (Assumption of Mary) - August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
Allerheiligen (All Saints' Day) - November 1, 2026 (Sunday)
Wapenstilstand (Armistice Day) - November 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
Kerstmis (Christmas Day) - December 25, 2026 (Friday)
Download the full 2026 Belgium calendar
Belgian Community Holidays
Belgian Community Holidays
Different communities in Belgium may observe additional holidays such as the Feast of the French Community or the Feast of the Flemish Community. Check local calendars for complete regional information.
Planning Your 2026 Long Weekends
The best long weekend opportunities across these countries in 2026 include:
January: Epiphany creates a three-day weekend in Italy and Spain (January 4-6) April: Easter weekend provides four days off in most countries (April 3-6) May: Multiple opportunities with Labor Day, Ascension Day, and various national holidays October: German Unity Day and Spanish National Day both fall on favorable dates December: Christmas falling on Friday creates excellent year-end vacation opportunities
Downloadable Calendar Resources
To help you plan your 2026 year effectively, consider these calendar planning strategies:
Digital Calendar Integration: Most digital calendars allow you to subscribe to country-specific holiday calendars. Search for "2026 [country] holidays" in your calendar app's subscription options.
Printable Calendar Planning: Create a master calendar showing holidays across all relevant countries if you work internationally or have family abroad.
Travel Planning Calendar: Mark not just the holidays but the days before and after to identify optimal travel periods when flights and accommodations may be cheaper.
Business Planning Calendar: For international business, create a combined calendar showing when different countries observe holidays to avoid scheduling conflicts.
International Business Considerations
When planning international meetings, calls, or deadlines in 2026, remember that holiday observances vary significantly between countries. The period from late April through May is particularly complex, with different countries observing various spring holidays on different dates. Similarly, the end-of-year period from mid-December through early January sees varying holiday schedules that can impact international business operations.
Making the Most of 2026 Holidays
Strategic vacation planning around public holidays can effectively double your time off. Consider taking a few strategic personal days around holidays that fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays to create four-day weekends. The May holiday cluster in many European countries offers particularly good opportunities for extended breaks.
For families with international connections, understanding different countries' holiday schedules helps coordinate visits and celebrations. Many countries have unique traditions around their national holidays that make them excellent times to visit and experience local culture.
Conclusion
2026 offers excellent opportunities for holiday planning across all major countries. With Christmas falling on Friday and several holidays creating natural long weekends, it's shaping up to be a great year for both relaxation and travel. Whether you're planning business schedules, family visits, or personal vacations, this comprehensive guide to 2026 public holidays by country provides the foundation for a well-organized and enjoyable year.
Remember to always verify holiday dates with official government sources, as some holidays may be moved if they fall on weekends, and regional variations can affect local observances. Start planning early to make the most of these opportunities for rest, travel, and celebration throughout 2026.