The holiday schedule in North Carolina is intentionally minimized. This is because the state is not intended to mirror the federal list. Also, it is not meant to represent the cultural breadth by way of symbolism through closings. This is because the holiday list is a representation of whether the functions of the state government have been shut down.
This is important in the current scenario as North Carolina’s combination of cities, counties and agencies spread out over the region values predictability over flexibility around holidays. The fact that the holiday season is relatively short and predictable enables the judiciary and other agencies to plan for the year adequately.
What is evident on the calendar is not aspirational, but operational. Where there is a holiday, state offices are closed. Where there is no holiday, there is observance via leave policies. The administration is not closed.
The following is a list of the official holiday schedule for the offices in the state of North Carolina.
Official State Holidays in North Carolina for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Federal |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day | 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 Are Observed in North Carolina
North Carolina state offices and courts uniformly observe the above list. Good Friday remains an official state holiday, although it has fallen off most other state calendars. Its inclusion reflects long-standing administrative practice rather than religious endorsement.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday. North Carolina state government offices close in concert with that federal designation, but its legal origin in 2021 remains federal - not state-created.
If Independence Day falls on a weekend, the state observes it on the nearest weekday. For 2026, that puts the official closure on Friday, July 3. Banks follow the federal banking calendar, which has close overlap with this list.
Private employers are not bound to the North Carolina state holiday calendar. Many follow federal holidays, while others exist independently based on industry and workforce composition.
FAQs
1. Does North Carolina observe Presidents’ Day or Columbus Day?
No. Neither results in statewide government office closure.
2. Is Good Friday an official state holiday?
Yes. State offices close on Good Friday.
3. Is Juneteenth a state or federal holiday in North Carolina?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday. North Carolina observes it by closing state offices.
4. Are courts closed on these holidays?
Yes. North Carolina courts follow the official state holiday calendar.
5. Do private companies have to follow this list?
No. Holiday observance for private employers is determined by company policy.