US state holidays beyond the federal list
Every state observes the 11 federal holidays, and a number of them add their own. Most additions close state offices only — private employers are not bound by them. Below are the extras that actually appear on state calendars, plus which ones matter beyond government workers.
How state calendars differ from the federal list
Two rules explain almost everything. First, a state holiday closes state government — schools, DMV, state courts — but the Fair Labor Standards Act requires no paid holidays at all from private employers, so a retailer in Salt Lake City can trade normally on Pioneer Day. Second, banks generally follow the federal calendar rather than their own state's, which is why most branches stay open on a state-only holiday and closed on the federal ones.
The result is that the same day can feel like a holiday in one town and a normal weekday twenty miles away.
The state-only holidays worth knowing
These are the additions most likely to affect travel, school calendars and government appointments:
| State | Holiday | When | Who closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Frances Xavier Cabrini Day | First Monday in October — Oct 5, 2026 | State offices; replaced Columbus Day in 2020 |
| California | César Chávez Day | March 31 — Mar 31, 2026 | State offices and many schools |
| Texas | César Chávez Day (optional) | March 31 — Mar 31, 2026 | Optional; many agencies stay open |
| Maine, Massachusetts | Patriots' Day | Third Monday in April — Apr 20, 2026 | State offices, schools, many banks in both states |
| Utah | Pioneer Day | July 24 — Jul 24, 2026 | State offices and schools |
| Nevada | Nevada Day | Last Friday in October — Oct 30, 2026 | State offices, schools, some branches |
| Rhode Island | Victory Day | Second Monday in August — Aug 10, 2026 | State offices |
| Hawaii | Prince Kuhio Day | March 26 — Mar 26, 2026 | State and county offices, schools |
| Hawaii | Kamehameha Day | June 11 — Jun 11, 2026 | State and county offices, schools |
| Alaska | Seward's Day | Last Monday in March — Mar 30, 2026 | State offices |
| Alaska | Alaska Day | October 18 — falls on a Sunday in 2026, observed Mon, Oct 19 | State offices, some schools |
Two that are commonly confused
Nevada Day falls on the last Friday in October, and Nevada businesses close at a rate closer to a federal holiday than most state-only days. Colorado's Cabrini Day sits a week before the federal Columbus Day, so if you work across state lines in October you may see both recognized at different times.
States that quietly changed their list
Several states have swapped holidays in recent years rather than adding to the total. Colorado replaced Columbus Day with Cabrini Day in 2020. Other states have moved from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day or Native American Day, sometimes on the same date and sometimes as a parallel observance.
Because these changes go through state legislatures, the most reliable check is always that state's own Department of Personnel or Administration holiday page.
What this means in practice
- Government appointments — check the state list; a DMV may be shut for a day your employer treats as a normal Tuesday
- School calendars — state additions frequently become school holidays even where offices stay open
- Banking — expect federal-calendar behaviour from most branches
- Travel — Utah on July 24 and Nevada on Nevada Day close enough local services that visitors notice
Frequently asked questions
Are state holidays also federal holidays?
No. The federal list has eleven days and applies to federal employees. State holidays are separate and usually close only state government offices and schools.
Do private employers have to give state holidays off?
No. There is no legal requirement to provide paid holidays at all in the private sector, so whether you get them depends on your employer's policy.
Which state has the most holidays?
Counts differ depending on whether you include commemorative days with no time off. Hawaii and Alaska have the most additions that genuinely close state offices.
Are banks closed on state holidays?
Usually not. Most banks follow the federal calendar, though branches in Utah on Pioneer Day or Nevada on Nevada Day sometimes close.
Does Colorado observe Columbus Day?
No. Colorado replaced it with Cabrini Day on the first Monday of October, which in 2026 is October 5.
Is Juneteenth a state holiday everywhere?
It became a federal holiday in 2021 and most states recognize it in some form, but whether state employees receive a paid day off depends on each state's own legislation.
What is a state holiday that looks like a federal holiday but is not?
Patriots' Day is the clearest example in Maine and Massachusetts, where many banks and schools close even though the federal government is fully open.
Official sources
- State of Colorado — Calendar Year 2026 Holiday Schedule (DHR) — example of an official state holiday schedule
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays — the federal baseline every state follows
- U.S. Department of Labor — Fair Labor Standards Act on holidays — no requirement for private-sector paid holidays
Last verified against official sources on September 26, 2026.