Mississippi reflects a narrower set of days that state offices actually close for, instead of following the federal list blindly. This is shaped by long-standing administrative decisions rather than uniform national adoption. That makes precision more important here than assumption.
Some holidays are combined. Others are legacy observances that still appear on the official calendar. And a few widely recognised federal holidays simply don’t exist at the state level. If a day is listed, state offices close. If it isn't listed, then the holiday happens only through individual leave.
The list below reflects official holidays observed by Mississippi state government offices in 2026, aligned strictly with state practice.
Official State Holidays in Mississippi for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Federal |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day / Robert E. Lee Birthday | State |
| Apr 27 | Monday | Confederate Memorial Day | State |
| May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | State |
| Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in Mississippi
Mississippi state offices, courts, and public agencies observe this list strictly. Unlike many states, Mississippi uniquely does not adopt the full federal holiday calendar, which means assumptions based on neighbouring states often lead people astray.
One point that regularly confuses is in January. Both Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday are observed together as one state holiday. Confederate Memorial Day is additionally observed on the last Monday in April, and it is also an official state holiday for all government offices.
In the event that Independence Day is on a weekend, it is always celebrated on the nearest weekday. Consequently, July 3 is the official closure of Mississippi in 2026.
This is also a widely observed practice amongst other states. All of these adjustments are handled administratively rather than being listed as separate holidays.
Private employers are not required to follow the state holiday calendar. Many tentatively align instead with the federal list, which can result in noticeable differences in work schedules on certain dates. Banks follow the federal banking calendar, not the state list.
FAQs
1. Does the state of Mississippi honor all federal holidays?
No. This is because the state follows its own holiday list and recognizes only some of the federal holidays.
2. Why are MLK Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday Merged Together?
Mississippi recognises them as a single state holiday for administrative purposes.
3. Is Confederate Memorial Day still officially observed?
Yes. It is still a state-recognised holiday for government offices.
4. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Mississippi?
Yes. State offices close in observance of Juneteenth.
5. Do private companies have to follow this holiday list?
Holiday observance for private employers is determined by company policy, so, no.