The holiday schedule in Ohio also mirrors its tendency to find a middle ground. It maintains most traditions from the federal system, along with some state holidays that are worth keeping, and does not include additional holidays merely because other states also observe them.
When Ohio is closed, it closes everywhere. Cases go on hold. State offices close their counters. Deadlines change. This is not optional. It is ingrained in the way the state organizes its workflow.
The following is a list of holidays based on Ohio state governmental office holidays, checked against the Ohio state administrative calendar.
Official State Holidays in Ohio for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 01 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Federal |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal |
| Feb 16 | Monday | Washington’s Birthday | Federal |
| May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day | Federal |
| Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| Oct 12 | Monday | Columbus Day | State |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in Ohio
Columbus Day is an official holiday in the state of Ohio - one of the few that continue to celebrate it. This is no token gesture. All state offices are closed, and court sessions are also affected.
It is observed as it is a federal holiday. Ohio did not create a similar state status for this day. It directly results from federal alignment.
If Independence Day falls on a weekend, Ohio celebrates it on the closest weekday. So in the year 2026, the Independence Day holiday will be closed on Friday, July 3.
Banks observe the federal banking calendar, which almost entirely overlaps with this list. It is not mandatory for private companies to observe state-specific holidays, whilst most do give federal holidays.
FAQs
1. Is Columbus Day still an official holiday in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio state offices close on Columbus Day.
2. Is Election Day a state holiday in Ohio?
No. State offices remain open.
3. Is Juneteenth a state-created holiday?
No. It is a federal holiday observed by the state.
4. Do Ohio courts close on these holidays?
Yes. Courts follow the official state holiday calendar.
5. Are schools required to follow this list?
No. School calendars are set independently.