When it comes to the holiday patterns in the Tennessee holiday season, the most likely impression is a mix of long-held civic tradition and a useful attitude towards closure. Although adhering to the federal holiday structure for the most part, the holiday season for the state specifically incorporates a couple of closures relevant to everyday administration as a result of historically continuous observances, most specifically, Good Friday and the Day after Thanksgiving.
There are states in the USA that merge or eliminate certain holidays. It seems that Tennessee deems to keep such holidays as either statutory holidays or administrative holidays. So, when a holiday is registered/added on this list, it basically indicates a palpable, measurable closure of public services, including courts, offices, and other governmental agencies.
Below are the Tennessee state holiday closures, as per official state pronouncements and the HR holiday schedule.
Official State Holidays in Tennessee 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 |
| Apr 03 | Friday | Good Friday | State |
| 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 |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| Nov 27 | Friday | Day After Thanksgiving | State |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in Tennessee
In the Tennessee Code, there is a specific mention of "Good Friday" as a holiday during which state offices are closed. Such a closure of offices is not a common practice in all states.
The Day after Thanksgiving represents another holiday closure, which regularly receives steady-state recognition within the Tennessee context. The administrative holiday helps ensure the end of the Thanksgiving holiday season, which spans both Thursday and Friday.
The observance of Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday, but not a state holiday, and it is observed for state closure purposes.
As Independence Day for the year 2026 occurs on July 4th, Saturday, the traditional observation that happens on Friday, July 3, applies for the closing of state offices.
Banks operate on the federal banking calendar, while private employers establish their holiday schedules.
FAQs
1. Does Tennessee observe Good Friday?
Yes. It is on the official state government holiday list for 2026.
2. Is the Day after Thanksgiving a holiday here?
Yes. It is an official state closure following Thanksgiving.
3. Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Tennessee?
It is a federal holiday that Tennessee observes for state office closures.
4. Why is Independence Day observed on July 3 in 2026?
Because July 4 falls on a Saturday, state offices recognize the preceding Friday closure pattern.
5. Do schools and courts follow this exact list?
State offices, including courts, typically follow this list — but school districts may set their own calendars.