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 tables below list the official holidays observed by North Carolina state government offices in 2027 and 2026.
List of National and State Holidays in North Carolina 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 | Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 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 23 | Thursday | Christmas Holiday | State |
| 11 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 27 | Monday | Christmas Holiday | State |
North Carolina observes a holiday that falls on a Saturday on the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday on the following Monday. State employees also get the day after Thanksgiving and three Christmas holidays, whose dates change each year. Juneteenth, Presidents’ Day and Columbus Day are not paid state holidays.
Official State Holidays in North Carolina 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 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 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 24 | Thursday | Christmas Holiday | State |
| 11 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 28 | Monday | Christmas Holiday | State |
How Holidays Are Observed in North Carolina
All the state government agencies and courts of North Carolina follow the above list consistently. Good Friday continues to be an official state holiday, despite being removed from most other states’ lists. The reason behind the retention of the Good Friday holiday lies in tradition and not religion.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but it is not a paid holiday for North Carolina state employees, so state offices stay open that day.
When the Independence Day holiday falls on the weekend, the holiday will be observed by the state on the nearest working day. On this note, for 2026, the holiday was observed on Friday, July 3. The federal bank holiday list differs from this one: banks close for Presidents’ Day, Juneteenth and Columbus Day, but not for Good Friday.
There is no legal requirement for private employers to adhere to the state holiday calendar of North Carolina. Most private employers observe holidays as per their convenience and the nature of work.
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, but it is not a paid state holiday in North Carolina, so state offices stay open.
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.
