Public holidays in Maryland closely follow the federal calendar, reflecting the state’s close ties to national government operations. Sticking mostly to familiar nationwide holidays keeps scheduling predictable across courts, state agencies, and public services. The state does recognize a small number of observances beyond the federal list, based on long-standing practice.
One of the most notable is American Indian Heritage Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, which gives state employees a four-day weekend. Maryland also closes state offices on General Election Day in even-numbered years, such as November 3, 2026, a choice that reflects the state’s emphasis on access to civic processes rather than symbolic holidays.
Beyond the state list, local governments can declare their own closures for observances that matter in their part of Maryland.
The tables below list the official holidays observed by Maryland state government offices in 2027 and 2026.
List of National and State Holidays in Maryland 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 | Feb 15 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 18 | Friday | Juneteenth (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 11 | Monday | Columbus Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 11 | Nov 26 | Friday | American Indian Heritage Day | State |
| 12 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 13 | Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day 2028 (Observed) | Federal |
Maryland observes a holiday that falls on a Saturday on the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday on the following Monday. General Election Day is a state holiday only in even-numbered years, so it does not appear in 2027. The Governor can also declare one-time closures, such as Christmas Eve in 2025.
Official State Holidays in Maryland 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 | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 12 | Monday | Columbus Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 03 | Tuesday | General Election Day | State |
| 10 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 11 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 12 | Nov 27 | Friday | American Indian Heritage Day | State |
| 13 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
For Those Living or Working in Maryland
State government offices, courts, and many public institutions follow Maryland’s official holiday calendar. Most local governments follow the state, but school districts and municipalities often set slightly different schedules. Banks follow the federal holiday calendar instead of the state list, so they stay open on state-only holidays such as Election Day and American Indian Heritage Day.
Private employers set their own holiday policies. Most observe the main federal holidays, while state-only holidays are optional unless an employment contract or workplace policy says otherwise.
FAQs
1. Does Maryland observe any holidays that are not federal holidays?
Yes. Maryland observes American Indian Heritage Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and General Election Day in even-numbered years.
2. Are all state offices closed on Maryland holidays?
Yes. The holidays on the state calendar apply to executive branch offices and courts, though essential services may keep operating.
3. Do banks close on Maryland state holidays?
No. Banks follow the federal holiday calendar and do not close on state-only holidays such as Election Day or American Indian Heritage Day. Individual banks may set their own schedules.
4. Are private employers required to follow Maryland’s holiday calendar?
No. Private employers are not legally required to observe state holidays and set their own holiday policies.
5. Why is there no Election Day holiday in 2027?
Maryland closes state offices only on general election days, which fall in even-numbered years. The next one is in 2028.
