The holiday calendar in Oklahoma has a different kind of significance. The state imbibes all the necessary closures of a federal core but also retains a few state holidays which are not based on religion or universality but on political and historical identity.
In this case, holidays are directly associated with the workings of the state apparatus. If it's on the list, offices are closed. If it isn’t, it's observed in private or through a leave system. Such is important in a state where administrative offices stretch to cover vast countryside areas, in addition to burgeoning cities.
Below are the officially observed holidays of Oklahoma state government offices.
Official State Holidays in Oklahoma (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 |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Are Seen in Oklahoma
Oklahoma follows the federal holiday pattern almost completely. Unlike some other states that share a border with Oklahoma, the following additional days are not observed as statewide holidays:
* Election Day
* Good Friday
* Columbus Day
Juneteenth, which falls on June 19th, is a holiday because of a mandate from the federal government. This is even when the state has not designated a specific statutory holiday for this occasion.
Consequently, it is also seen that when Independence Day is on Saturday (or a weekend specifically), the state closes on Friday, the 3rd of July (for 2026, it is Friday, but it is the closest weekday) as per federal regulations on days of observation.
Banks are operational according to the federal banking calendar. Private institutions are free to determine their holiday schedules, which results in fewer holidays compared to the state government offices.
FAQs
1. Does Oklahoma observe Columbus Day?
No. State offices remain open on that day.
2. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Oklahoma?
No. It is a federally mandated holiday that is observed by the state.
3. Are courts closed on these holidays?
Yes. Oklahoma courts follow the state government holiday calendar.
4. Does Oklahoma observe Good Friday?
No. It is not an official state holiday.
5. Are local governments required to follow this list?
No. Local entities may adopt different schedules.