The holiday schedule in Arkansas is influenced more by meaning than by randomness. The state also sanctions a few holidays that speak directly to its own social and historical journey.
If one considers most citizens, the relevance of public holidays is particularly in relation to the offices and institutions that are closed during the government holidays that are observed.
Like in the rest of the U.S., private concerns have the autonomy to choose whether or not to mark these days as holidays, even if they are federal holidays. So, it is always better to check with your employer for their company’s official holiday list.
The additional state-sanctioned holidays, added to the federal list, reflect both civil rights history and long-standing traditions that remain part of the state’s official calendar and are still followed.
List of National and State Holidays in Arkansas for 2026
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Federal |
| 2 | Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| 3 | Feb 16 | Monday | George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day | State |
| 4 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Dec 24 | Thursday | Christmas Eye | State |
| 11 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
Holidays that fall on a weekend are generally observed on the nearest weekday, ensuring continuity for government operations and public services, and that the time is actually taken off, from busy schedules, to acknowledge the occasion (like Independence Day in 2026).
FAQs
Does Arkansas observe different holidays from other U.S. states?
Just like most states across the United States of America, the state of Arkansas observes the national holidays, but it adds some extra days that relate to its own history.
What makes Daisy Gatson Bates Day significant?
This holiday honors Daisy Gatson Bates, who was an integral part of desegregation in Little Rock Central High School. The mention of this holiday signifies an acknowledgment of civil rights history at the state level of Arkansas.
Is Confederate Memorial Day still an official holiday in Arkansas?
Confederate Memorial Day, which is primarily observed by government institutions, remains an officially recognised state holiday. It does not apply universally to private businesses that have a choice to skip it.
Are banks and private offices closed on state holidays?
Banks typically remain shut on federal holidays. Banks may choose to be open or shut on state holidays, the decision resting solely with the private firms operating the banking facilities.
Do private employers have to follow this list?
No. In the U.S., private employers set their own holiday policies, regardless of federal or state observances.