There are no ambiguities about New Hampshire’s schedule of holidays when it comes to their connection to duty and celebration: either the holiday affects the functioning of the state government, or it doesn’t.
The month of January offers an example. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated in New Hampshire on Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day – a holiday that goes beyond the civil rights issue. The offices are closed, as in the case of the federal holiday.
It doesn’t change the fact that the rest of the calendar looks quite modest. Most federal holidays are celebrated in New Hampshire except for Columbus Day, Juneteenth, and there is an additional holiday - the day after Thanksgiving. Whatever else is left out is intentional in the calendar.
The tables below list the official holidays observed by New Hampshire state government offices in 2027 and 2026.
List of National and State Holidays in New Hampshire 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./Civil Rights Day | Federal |
| 3 | Feb 15 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 7 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 26 | Friday | Day After Thanksgiving | State |
| 10 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
New Hampshire observes a holiday that falls on a Saturday on the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday on the following Monday. Columbus Day and Juneteenth are not paid holidays for state employees, so state offices stay open on those days.
Official State Holidays in New Hampshire 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./Civil Rights Day | Federal |
| 3 | Feb 16 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 7 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 27 | Friday | Day After Thanksgiving | State |
| 10 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in New Hampshire
State agencies follow this list. New Hampshire gives state employees the day after Thanksgiving off, while Columbus Day and Juneteenth remain regular working days.
Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day differs from the federal holiday in name only. Offices close and the day is a full holiday.
When a holiday falls on a weekend, state offices close on the nearest weekday. In 2026, for example, Independence Day fell on a Saturday, so offices closed on Friday, July 3. Banks follow the federal banking calendar instead, which includes Columbus Day and Juneteenth.
Private employers do not have to follow the state’s holidays. Most businesses, however, follow the federal holiday schedule, with some variation by industry.
FAQs
1. Why does New Hampshire observe Civil Rights Day instead of MLK Day?
It doesn’t replace MLK Day. New Hampshire names the holiday Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day, recognizing civil rights more broadly while keeping the same closure.
2. Is Good Friday an official public holiday in New Hampshire?
No. Good Friday is not a state holiday, and state offices stay open.
3. Does New Hampshire observe all federal holidays?
No. New Hampshire does not give state employees Columbus Day or Juneteenth off, but it adds the day after Thanksgiving.
4. Are courts closed on these days?
Yes. New Hampshire courts follow the official state holiday calendar.
5. Do private companies have to follow this list?
No. Holiday observance is determined by employer policy.
