True to its role as the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, Delaware’s holiday schedule may seem prosaic, but it is actually treated as something stable and intentional rather than decorative - the public calendar stays grounded to this belief. The result of this is a holiday lineup that feels orderly and predictable, with a few state-specific choices that nod to history, civic continuity, and long-established public-sector routines that haven’t been tampered with in decades.
Municipal governments usually follow the state calendar, so town and county offices tend to close on the same days as state offices.
The private sector can legally pick and choose based on industry norms and which holidays to close on. While Delaware doesn’t overload its calendar, it does protect certain traditions that many larger states have quietly dropped over the years, and leaves the rest up to private sector undertakings to decide for themselves.
List of National and State Holidays in Delaware for 2027
| S.No. | Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|
| 1 | Jan 01 | Friday | New Year’s Day | Federal |
| 2 | Jan 18 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| 3 | Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 4 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 18 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 26 | Friday | Day After Thanksgiving | State |
| 11 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day 2028 (Observed) | Federal |
Delaware law moves weekend holidays to the nearest weekday: a Saturday holiday is observed on the Friday before, and a Sunday holiday on the Monday after. Presidents’ Day and Columbus Day are federal holidays only, so Delaware state offices stay open on both.
Official State Holidays in Delaware 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 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | 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 03 | Tuesday | Election Day | State |
| 9 | Nov 05 | Thursday | Return Day (Sussex County, from noon) | State |
| 10 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 11 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 12 | Nov 27 | Friday | Day After Thanksgiving | State |
| 13 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
FAQs
1.Why does Delaware still observe Good Friday as a state holiday?
Good Friday is a throwback to the state’s early Christian traditions and its long-standing administrative practices. It isn’t a federal holiday, but Delaware law lists it as a legal holiday, so state offices and courts close. It has been a staple of the state’s calendar for decades now.
2.Is Juneteenth a full public holiday in Delaware?
Juneteenth is recognized as an official state holiday in commemoration of the abolition of slavery. State offices close, aligning Delaware with the federal designation and formally acknowledging the historical importance of the day.
3.Do all Delaware towns follow this holiday list exactly?
Most towns do, but not always ever so perfectly. While state agencies and courts follow this calendar, individual municipalities may make small calibrations based on local contracts, school systems, or operational needs, and even local festivals, on occasion.
4.Are banks closed on Delaware holidays?
Banks generally follow the federal holiday schedule, so they close on Presidents’ Day and Columbus Day even though Delaware state offices stay open on both. Good Friday, Election Day and the Day After Thanksgiving are state-only holidays, so whether a bank closes depends on its own policy.
5.Do private employers in Delaware have to observe state holidays?
Private employers are not legally required to follow the state holiday calendar. Most observe federal holidays, but state-only holidays are typically optional unless specified in employment agreements and by HR policies.
