The holidays in Rhode Island do not follow the pattern of a smaller replica of a bigger state. Instead, they have their own idiosyncrasies, shaped by long-held statutes and some decisions that no other state has ever taken.
When the state closes down here, it is rarely an accident. The list is short, however, and there is still at least one holiday that only Rhode Island observes, one you won’t get to experience anywhere else.
What matters most in Rhode Island is the law. A holiday makes this list because a state statute closes government offices that day, not because of local custom or tradition.
The tables below show the days Rhode Island state government offices close in 2027 and 2026, based on state law and the holiday list published by the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
List of National and State Holidays in Rhode Island 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 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 4 | Jun 21 | Monday | Juneteenth (Observed) | Federal |
| 5 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Aug 09 | Monday | Victory Day | State |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 11 | Monday | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 11 | Dec 27 | Monday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
Rhode Island observes holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday on the following Monday. This means that in 2027, Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 21, Independence Day on Monday, July 5, and Christmas Day on Monday, December 27. New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, so it will be observed on Monday, January 3, 2028.
There is no Election Day closure in 2027 because state offices close for it only in general election years. Rhode Island has not yet published its official 2027 holiday schedule, so these dates follow state law.
Official State Holidays in Rhode Island 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 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 4 | Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| 5 | Jul 06 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Aug 10 | Monday | Victory Day | State |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Oct 12 | Monday | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 03 | Tuesday | Election Day | State |
| 10 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 11 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Rhode Island Operates
Rhode Island follows the federal holiday calendar fairly closely, but it leaves out Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) and adds two entries that matter more than they first appear.
Victory Day falls on the second Monday in August. It marks the end of World War II, and Rhode Island is the only state that still observes it as a legal holiday, so state offices close statewide.
Election Day is also a state holiday, but only in years with a general state election, such as 2026. State offices close that day. In odd years like 2027, there is no Election Day closure.
Juneteenth is a state holiday in its own right. Rhode Island added June 19 to its list of legal holidays, so state offices close that day, as federal offices do.
When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Rhode Island observes it on the following Monday. In 2026, Independence Day fell on a Saturday, so state offices closed on Monday, July 6.
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, in years with a general state election. State government offices close on Election Day in those years, including 2026, but not in 2027.
3. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island lists June 19 as a legal holiday, so state offices close that day.
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.
