North Dakota is a state that does not politicize its holiday celebrations. Holidays here serve a practical need. The government of North Dakota covers a wide area inhabited by a relatively small population. Hence, there is no political motive behind the closure of offices on those days. When offices close here, it is about logistics, not about making a statement.
That pragmatism can be seen in the holiday schedule. It has similarities with the federal holiday schedule, adds a special day on Good Friday, and does not add any additional days to that list every year.
What follows is not a list of festivals and events. It is the list of days North Dakota state government offices close in 2027 and 2026.
List of National and State Holidays in North Dakota 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 | Feb 15 | Monday | Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | Federal |
| 4 | Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 5 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 11 | Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day 2028 (Observed) | Federal |
North Dakota observes a holiday that falls on a Saturday on the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday on the following Monday. State offices also close at noon on Christmas Eve when it falls on a Monday through Thursday, which it does not in 2027. Juneteenth is not a state holiday. North Dakota has not yet published its official 2027 schedule, so these dates follow state rules.
Official State Holidays in North Dakota 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 | Feb 16 | Monday | Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) | Federal |
| 4 | Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 5 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Dec 24 | Thursday | Christmas Eve (Afternoon Closure) | State |
| 11 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Actually Work in North Dakota
North Dakota largely follows holiday practices that have been adopted from federal laws. This is because such an approach is consciously followed by the state to stay within the broad national framework where the banks, postal services, and interstate transportation have been standardized.
Except for Good Friday, of course, which is a state holiday in explicit state law - state offices are closed on this day, even though it is not a federal holiday. There is nothing symbolic about this. It is a purely administrative decision.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but North Dakota has not made it a state holiday, so state offices stay open that day. Columbus Day is not a state office closure either.
Since Independence Day in 2026 fell on a Saturday, it was observed on the previous day, Friday, July 3. In 2027, it falls on a Sunday and is observed on Monday, July 5.
Christmas Eve has its own status. If it falls somewhere between Monday and Thursday, then the state agencies shut down in the middle of the day at noon. It is not a full holiday but only an early shutdown period.
The banks use the federal bank calendar, which has some resemblance to the state calendar but also includes Juneteenth and Columbus Day. Private organizations are not bound by any of these customs.
FAQs
1. Why does North Dakota observe Good Friday when many states don’t?
It is due to the fact that state law explicitly lists it as a holiday for government offices. It’s a statutory carry-forward, not a recent addition.
2. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in North Dakota?
No. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but North Dakota has not made it a state holiday, so state offices stay open.
3. Why was Independence Day listed on July 3 instead of July 4?
July 4 fell on a Saturday in 2026. The state observed the holiday on the preceding Friday.
4. What does “Christmas Eve (Afternoon Closure)” mean in practice?
State offices close at noon when Christmas Eve falls on Monday through Thursday. It is not a full holiday, but it is an official closure period.
5. Do local governments and schools follow this exact list?
Not always. This table applies to North Dakota state government offices. Local bodies may set their own calendars.
