South Dakota is not a state that embellishes holidays with ceremony – it takes them with the same pragmatic flair that permeates its vast skies and straightforward culture. As for state holiday closures for government offices, they have a very direct approach: they close a given day if it means a closure based on a statute or state policy. That is all. Nothing extra based purely on feeling right for a culture, nothing symbolic that does not by any means shut down an entire state.
A list of observed holidays would include most federal holidays listed under a statute, and several state-specific holidays that have been enacted over time. One thing that puts a twist on this holiday calendar is that they observe Native American Day instead of Columbus Day, and this also has a significant historical background rooted in South Dakota. Offices close during this holiday as they do during federal holidays, and courts and other governmental departments consequently follow suit.
Here are the holidays during which the state offices in the state of South Dakota are closed:
Official List of Holidays in South Dakota 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 | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Federal |
| Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| Oct 12 | Monday | Native American Day (replaces 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 South Dakota
State government closings in South Dakota align with both federally recognized holidays and a handful of additional holidays recognized specifically on the state level. The above list represents the holidays upon which all state offices are closed – a holiday indicated on this list will mean a closed operations day for all offices around the state.
A few things to note about this list:
- Native American Day is one of the few regional variations you will note in comparison to the rest of the states. It replaces the celebration of Columbus Day and is a statewide closure day.
- Independence Day in 2026 falls on a Saturday, but state offices still recognise the date itself as the official holiday; there is no statewide observed shift to Friday or Monday unless specifically proclaimed, so the closure logic is tied to the statutory date.
- Juneteenth is seen as a federal holiday, while in South Dakota, it is like other federal holidays regarding closings.
This list is uniformly followed by all state offices, courts, and most public institutions. Banks, on the other hand, follow the banking calendar as established by the federal banking calendar, which overlaps considerably but is not the governing factor with regard to state holidays.
FAQs
1. Does South Dakota observe Columbus Day?
No. The state recognises Native American Day instead, and offices close statewide.
2. Why does Native American Day matter here?
It has legal recognition in South Dakota and is part of the official closure calendar.
3. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in South Dakota?
It is a federal holiday, and South Dakota state offices close in alignment with federal designation.
4. If Independence Day is on a Saturday, do offices still close?
Yes. In 2026, the official holiday date is recognised as a closure day.
5. Do local governments also follow this list?
Most do, but some counties or municipalities may have variations- this list applies to state government offices.