New Jersey's holiday calendar sits in that awkward yet familiar place: It has to stay compatible with federal systems, yet it also carries a long list of state-level observances that continue to matter because of how densely the state operates. When offices close here, it's rarely abstract. Courts back up quickly. School schedules ripple outward. Commuter patterns shift almost immediately.
Unlike some states that have aggressively cut, New Jersey has clung to a more robust holiday list. That doesn't mean every holiday carries equal heft across the state-the politics and purpose are different-but it does mean the government calendar still reflects historic choices alongside present-day administrative needs. Some days remain because they still impact attendance. Others remain because scrapping them would cause more disruption than clarity.
What New Jersey does, year in and year out, is make a bright line distinction between official closure and private observance. If it's on the calendar, state offices shut. Everything else is left to leave policies, not symbolic gestures.
The following list reflects official holidays observed by the New Jersey state government office.
Official State Holidays in New Jersey for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Federal |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| Feb 12 | Thursday | Lincoln’s Birthday | State |
| Feb 16 | Monday | Presidents' Day | Federal |
| Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| Oct 12 | Monday | Columbus Day | State |
| Nov 03 | Tuesday | Election Day | State |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in New Jersey
State government offices, the judiciary, and most government agencies follow this list completely. Election Day is still a state holiday, which is becoming less common, and still impacts court and government operations.
Good Friday is also retained as a holiday, which is a matter of administrative tradition rather than any notable religious significance. Lincoln’s Birthday is still observed, despite the varying effect it has among departments.
In cases where Independence Day lands on a weekend, the day will be observed on the weekday that precedes it. Therefore, the date for the close for the year 2026 becomes Friday, July 3. Additionally, banks are guided by the federal calendar of banking. However, this calendar does not cover all the state holidays as outlined.
Private employers are not bound to observe the calendar observed by the New Jersey government. Some are in line with federal holidays, and others include Election Day and Good Friday.
FAQs
1. Why does New Jersey still observe Election Day as a holiday?
It remains an official state holiday to ensure administrative closure and voter access.
2. Is Good Friday a public holiday in New Jersey?
Yes. State offices close in observance of Good Friday.
3. Does New Jersey observe Lincoln’s Birthday?
Yes. It remains an official state holiday.
4. Are all these holidays followed by private companies?
No. Private employers set their own holiday policies.
5. Are courts closed on these days?
Yes. New Jersey courts follow the official state holiday calendar.