César Chávez Day 2026: Tuesday, March 31
César Chávez Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — the anniversary of Chávez's 1927 birthday and a fixed date that never moves. It is not a federal holiday; California observes it as a state holiday, Texas treats it as optional, and Colorado leaves it to individual agency heads.
César Chávez Day Dates, 2026–2035
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 31, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 31, 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 31, 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | March 31, 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | March 31, 2030 | Sunday |
| 2031 | March 31, 2031 | Monday |
| 2032 | March 31, 2032 | Wednesday |
| 2033 | March 31, 2033 | Thursday |
| 2034 | March 31, 2034 | Friday |
| 2035 | March 31, 2035 | Saturday |
Why March 31
The date is Chávez's birthday (born March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona) rather than a floating weekday. That makes it one of the few holidays on the US calendar that never moves day-to-day — though the day of the week it lands on obviously changes each year.
César Estrada Chávez co-founded what became the United Farm Workers, leading the Delano grape strike of 1965–1970 and a nationwide consumer boycott that eventually brought the growers to the table. His union's slogan, "Sí, se puede", entered the wider labour and civil rights vocabulary.
Which states observe it, and how differently
This is where César Chávez Day gets confusing — three states recognise the same date in three quite different ways:
| State | Status | What actually closes |
|---|---|---|
| California | State holiday | State offices and many public schools; some local governments |
| Texas | Optional state holiday | State agencies decide; many remain open |
| Colorado | Agency discretion | Department heads may grant it in lieu of another holiday — offices must stay minimally operational |
| Arizona, New Mexico and others | Commemorative only | Nothing closes; observed in schools and communities |
The Colorado arrangement, in detail
Colorado's official state holiday schedule notes that agency directors may grant requests for César Chávez Day in place of another holiday within the same fiscal year, and that the agency must remain open and minimally staffed on both days. So it is not a day Colorado closes — it is a substitution. If you work for the state, ask your department rather than assuming.
What stays open
- Federal offices, courts and USPS — open, no change to mail delivery
- Stock markets — NYSE and Nasdaq trade normally
- Banks — generally open outside observing states
- Most private employers — no obligation to close anywhere in the country
Could it become a federal holiday?
Several times it has come close in the sense of being proposed — it is not in 5 U.S.C. § 6103, the statute that lists the federal legal public holidays, and adding it would take an act of Congress. President Obama's administration signalled support for the idea, but no administration can designate a holiday on its own.
Frequently asked questions
What date is César Chávez Day 2026?
Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Is César Chávez Day a federal holiday?
No. It does not appear in 5 U.S.C. § 6103, so federal offices, mail delivery and financial markets operate normally.
Which states observe César Chávez Day?
California observes it as a state holiday, Texas as an optional state holiday, and Colorado at the discretion of each state agency. Several other states recognise it commemoratively without closing anything.
Are schools closed on César Chávez Day?
In California, many public schools and community colleges close. Elsewhere it depends on the district — check your own school calendar.
Does the post office deliver on César Chávez Day?
Yes. Because it is not a federal holiday, USPS delivers regular mail.
Is César Chávez Day always March 31?
Yes. It is fixed on his birthday, unlike holidays set by weekday such as Thanksgiving or Memorial Day.
When is César Chávez Day 2027?
Wednesday, March 31, 2027.
Do banks close for César Chávez Day?
Generally no. Some branches in observing states may close, but there is no nationwide bank holiday.
Official sources
- State of Colorado — Calendar Year 2026 Holiday Schedule (PDF) — official statement of the agency-discretion arrangement for March 31
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays — confirms it is not on the federal list
- Library of Congress — César Chávez and the United Farm Workers — biographical background
Last verified against official sources on September 26, 2026.