List of Holidays in Pennsylvania 2026

The holiday calendar put out by Pennsylvania looks like a Commonwealth that still takes its civic pulse seriously. It follows the federal framework, of course, but it also insists on some deliberate deviations that reveal quite a lot about the kind of things the state wishes to formally acknowledge, rather than merely celebrate.

A great illustration of this in 2026 is the observation of Indigenous Peoples' Day. Pennsylvania recognizes this day as a statewide closure day for administrative offices. That is not a token reference buried in a brochure. This is a shut-the-doors holiday.

The following table represents the government-mandated closing of all Commonwealth administrative offices, in accordance with the Administrative Circular published by the state of Pennsylvania.

Official List of Holidays in Pennsylvania for 2026

How Holidays Work in Pennsylvania

This applies to Commonwealth administration office closings, which are essentially the active calendar impacting government-related matters in Harrisburg.

There are two Pennsylvania-specific entries that are relevant -

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 12th) - An official closure day for Commonwealth administrative offices.
• The day after Thanksgiving (Nov 27) is also a Commonwealth closure day and is frequently more significant in practice than it appears in theory, as it provides a complete four-day weekend for many state operations.

Juneteenth has remained of federal law ancestry. Pennsylvania recognizes it as a closure day as it has been granted federal status, not because it was "created" as such by the state.

Banks observe federal banking holidays, which are related but don't necessarily coincide with the state-only holidays. The private sector, dealing with their own employers, need not observe the Commonwealth holidays.

FAQs

1. Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day an official state holiday in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania lists it as a closure day for Commonwealth administrative offices.

2. Why does Pennsylvania list the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday?

It is because of the fact that the Commonwealth offices close on that Friday, it creates a predictable long weekend for staffing and scheduling.

3. Is Juneteenth a federal or state holiday here?

Federal. Pennsylvania observes it as a closure day, but its legal origin is federal.

4. Does this list apply to every town and county in Pennsylvania?

Not necessarily. This is the Commonwealth administrative closure schedule; local governments may differ.

5. Do courts and schools follow this exact list?

Often similar, but not guaranteed. Courts and school districts can have separate calendars.