

The holiday calendar of Washington reflects the values of a state where clarity is considered of greater importance than ceremony. The list of holidays is tough, predictable, and limited. The closing of the state occurs in tandem with the federal system, leaving little space for confusion.
This approach suits the administrative culture in Washington. The nature of its large workforce means that the state prefers standard closure policies that are simple to follow and difficult to disregard.
The following table indicates official state observed holidays in 2026 for Washington state government offices based on official state sources for accuracy regarding dates and days.
Official State Holidays in Washington for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| June 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | 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 |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in Washington
Washington state manages their state government closures, with very few exceptions, to mirror the federal holiday system. There are no state-specific public holidays that create a statewide office closure.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday. The Washington state offices are closed due to federal designation - not because of a different state definition.
When Independence Day occurs on a weekend, Washington observes the holiday on the closest weekday. In 2026, there will be a shutdown on Friday, July 3.
Banks observe the federal banking calendar. Private employers are not required to observe state holidays and often observe fewer days.
FAQs
1. Does Washington observe any state-only holidays?
No. All official closures align with federal holidays.
2. Is Juneteenth a state holiday here?
It is federal in origin and observed by the state through federal alignment.
3. Does Washington observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
No. State offices remain open.
4. Are courts closed on these days?
Yes. Washington courts follow the state government holiday calendar.
5. Do local governments follow this exact list?
Not always. This list applies to Washington state government offices.

