List of Holidays in Kansas 2026

Kansas was shaped early by political conviction as much as by geography. It entered the Union in 1861, on the eve of the Civil War, the state’s identity was forged around questions of governance, representation, and civic authority and order. History still influences how Kansas approaches public administration today, with an added emphasis on state-wide uniformity.

As a Plains state with deep agricultural roots, Kansas has long prioritised coordination across counties rather than regional distinction. Its public calendar reflects that outlook. Instead of layering symbolic or cultural observances onto the year, the state has largely anchored its official schedule to nationally recognised moments, with only a small number of additions tied directly to Kansas’s own statehood and electoral process.

In practical terms, this means the holiday structure feels deliberate rather than sparse. State offices, courts, and schools move in step, counties tend to follow suit, and private employers make their own adjustments around the same fixed points. The result isn’t minimalism for its own sake but a calendar designed to support predictability across a state where uniformity has always mattered.

List of National and State Holidays in Kansas for 2026

When holidays fall on weekends, Kansas state offices generally observe them on the nearest weekday, following standard state practice.

FAQs

1. What is Kansas Day, and why is it important?

Even though there are many holiday events around the United States that are associated with each of the states, Kansas Day is significant in that it represents the admission of Kansas into the Union, which took place on January 29, 1861.

2. Is Election Day a public holiday in Kansas?

It certainly is! Kansas has designated General Election Day as a state holiday for government business in recognition of the importance that Kansas attaches to community engagement and access to the voting process, which is a fundamental democratic right.

3. In Kansas, is Juneteenth a public holiday?

To commemorate the abolition of slavery, Juneteenth is recognised as both a federal and state holiday in Kansas, and state offices are closed on that day.

4. Do all counties in Kansas follow this holiday list exactly?

State agencies and courts do, while counties and municipalities usually align with the state calendar; school districts and local offices may adjust schedules slightly based on operational needs.

5. Are private employers required to observe Kansas public holidays?

Not at all. Private companies are not mandated to keep to the state holiday schedule. Federal holidays are, however, followed, and ways of observing state holidays vary depending on an employer’s policy.