Rhode Island’s holiday calendar doesn’t behave like a scaled-down version of a larger state. It has its own idiosyncrasies shaped by long-standing statutes and a few decisions that most states never made. When the state closes down here, it is rarely an accident. The list is short, however, and there is at least one holiday you won’t experience anywhere else.
The first and foremost important aspect of Rhode Island is the fact that the Closing of State Government operations concludes in statute law and culture. A holiday occurs on the list because a statute closes the offices and not the culture.
The following table indicates the official holidays during which the offices of the state government of Rhode Island are closed, as per the state calendars.
Official List of Holidays in Rhode Island 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 (Observed) | Federal |
| Aug 10 | Monday | Victory Day | State |
| Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| Oct 12 | Monday | Columbus Day | Federal |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Rhode Island Operates
Nationwide, Rhode Island conforms very closely to the federal holiday scheme, although it doesn’t incorporate its state identity into this holiday framework. Two of its entries are of greater significance than they initially appear.
Victory Day celebration takes place on the second Monday in August. It’s a unique celebration in Rhode Island and indicates the end of World War II. It’s still a holiday in the entire state of Rhode Island and affects the closing of state offices. No other state in the U.S. recognizes this holiday.
Election Day is also a full state holiday. State offices are closed on this day, and administrative calendars reflect this. While this isn’t usually the norm for the nation, it still occurs in the law of the state of Rhode Island.
Juneteenth is included in this list because it is a federal holiday. Rhode Island has not established its own state holiday for this particular occasion but is observing its closings in conformity with federal law.
In the event that Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the holiday in Rhode Island is observed on Friday before Independence Day. In 2026, this means the closure is officially on July 3.
Banks operate according to the federal banking calendar. There is no requirement for private employers to operate according to the list of state holidays.
FAQs
1. Why does Rhode Island observe Victory Day?
It is a state-created statutory holiday marking the end of World War II. State offices close across the state.
2. Is Election Day really a state holiday here?
Yes. Rhode Island state government offices close on Election Day.
3. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Rhode Island?
No. It is federal in origin and observed by the state through federal alignment.
4. Does Rhode Island still observe Columbus Day?
Yes. It remains an official public holiday for state office closure.
5. Are courts and state agencies closed on all these days?
Yes. This list reflects statewide state-government closures.