The holiday schedule of Washington State follows the traditions of a place where clarity takes precedence over formality. This holiday schedule is firm, straightforward, and concise. State closures closely follow the federal holiday schedule, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
This method is appropriate for the working environment in Washington state since, given its large workforce, the state prefers shutdown plans that are easy to remember and follow.
The tables below give information about official state-recognized holidays for 2027 and 2026 for the state government offices of Washington state.
List of National and State Holidays in Washington 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 | Feb 15 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 18 | Friday | Juneteenth (Observed) | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 05 | Monday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 06 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Thursday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 26 | Friday | Native American Heritage Day | State |
| 11 | Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 12 | Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day 2028 (Observed) | Federal |
Washington observes a holiday that falls on a Saturday on the Friday before, and one that falls on a Sunday on the following Monday. In 2027, Juneteenth and Christmas Day fall on a Saturday, so state offices close on Friday, June 18 and Friday, December 24. Independence Day falls on a Sunday, so offices close on Monday, July 5. New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, December 31, 2027. Washington has not yet published its official 2027 holiday schedule, so these dates follow state law.
Official State Holidays in Washington 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 | Feb 16 | Monday | Presidents’ Day | Federal |
| 4 | May 25 | Monday | Memorial Day | Federal |
| 5 | Jun 19 | Friday | Juneteenth | Federal |
| 6 | Jul 03 | Friday | Independence Day (Observed) | Federal |
| 7 | Sep 07 | Monday | Labor Day | Federal |
| 8 | Nov 11 | Wednesday | Veterans Day | Federal |
| 9 | Nov 26 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | Federal |
| 10 | Nov 27 | Friday | Native American Heritage Day | State |
| 11 | Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Federal |
How Holidays Work in Washington
Washington state manages its state government closures, with very few exceptions, to mirror the federal holiday system. The one state-specific holiday is Native American Heritage Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, when state offices close.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, and it has also been a Washington state legal holiday since 2022, so state offices close for it under state law.
When Independence Day occurs on a weekend, Washington observes the holiday on the closest weekday. In 2026, state offices closed 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?
Yes. Native American Heritage Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is a state-only holiday, and state offices close that day.
2. Is Juneteenth a state holiday here?
Yes. Juneteenth has been a Washington state legal holiday since 2022, and it is also a federal holiday.
3. Does Washington observe Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
No. Washington does not observe either one, and state offices remain open on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
4. Are courts closed on these days?
Yes. Washington courts follow the state government holiday calendar, so they are closed on these holidays.
5. Do local governments follow this exact list?
Not always. This list applies to Washington state government offices, while local governments may have individual reasons to observe various holidays.
