How to learn about today is a federal holiday
The fastest way is to check the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website at opm.gov/holidays. That page lists every federal holiday for the current year and shows which ones fall on weekends (and when the observed day is instead). You can also call your bank directly — they will tell you immediately whether they are open, since not all banks observe every federal holiday the same way.
If you need to know whether a specific government office is open, call that office. Federal agencies sometimes stay open on days when banks close, or close on days when banks stay open. The rule is not uniform across all federal institutions.
For a quick answer without leaving your phone, search "is [today's date] a federal holiday" or "federal holidays 2024" (or the current year). Most search engines will show you a calendar of the full year.
Key Takeaways
- The OPM website at opm.gov/holidays is the official source for federal holidays and shows which days are observed when they fall on weekends.
- Banks do not all observe the same holidays — call your bank to confirm whether it is open today rather than assuming.
- Federal offices, post offices, and banks may have different schedules on the same day, so check the specific institution you need to reach.
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, the federal observed day is usually the Friday before or the Monday after, depending on the holiday.
The difference between federal holidays and bank holidays
A federal holiday is a day when most federal government offices close. A bank holiday is a day when banks close. They overlap but are not identical. Some federal holidays are not bank holidays, and some banks observe days that are not federal holidays.
The Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury set the official bank holiday schedule, which most banks follow. However, individual banks can choose to close on additional days or stay open on some federal holidays. Credit unions sometimes follow a different schedule than banks.
The U.S. Postal Service has its own holiday schedule, which usually matches federal holidays but not always. If you need mail delivery or post office services, check USPS.com or call your local post office.
The federal holidays that most banks observe
Banks typically close on these days:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
- Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Some banks also close on the day after Thanksgiving. A few banks close on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), though it is not a federal holiday. Check with your bank if you are unsure.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend
When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, the observed day is usually the Friday before. When it lands on a Sunday, the observed day is usually the Monday after. This means banks and federal offices close on the Friday or Monday instead of the actual date.
The OPM website shows both the actual holiday date and the observed date for each year. This matters because if you need a service on the Friday or Monday, you should know in advance that the office will be closed.
Not every holiday follows this rule exactly — Veterans Day, for example, is always observed on November 11 even if it falls on a weekend, though some banks may close on the nearest weekday instead. Check the specific holiday on the OPM site to be certain.
How to plan ahead if you need government or banking services
If you need to visit a bank, post office, or government office and today might be a holiday, call first. A two-minute phone call saves a trip. Most institutions have a recorded message saying whether they are open.
If you need to submit something by a certain date and that date falls on a holiday, submit it the business day before. Banks and government offices do not process transactions on holidays, so a payment or application sent on a holiday will not be received until the next business day.
For online services like checking your tax refund status or accessing your bank account, holidays do not affect you — those systems run 24/7. But if you need to speak to a person or have a check deposited, the holiday schedule matters.
State and local holidays that are not federal
Some states observe holidays that are not federal holidays. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, and some states observe Cesar Chavez Day. Banks in those states may close on those days even though they are not federal holidays.
If you live in a state with its own holidays, your state's government website will list them. Your bank should also tell you about state holidays if you ask.
Federal offices do not close for state holidays, so a post office or Social Security office will be open even if your bank is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check or make a transfer on a federal holiday?
Online transfers and mobile deposits usually work on holidays because they are processed automatically. Checks deposited online on a holiday will be processed the next business day. In-person deposits and teller services are not available on holidays.
Do all banks close on Columbus Day?
Most major banks close on Columbus Day, but not all. Some banks stay open. Call your bank to confirm, or check your bank's website — it usually lists holiday hours in advance.
What if I need to reach the IRS or Social Security on a holiday?
Federal offices including the IRS and Social Security Administration close on federal holidays. Call the next business day. You can also check your refund status or account online at any time, even on holidays.
Does the stock market close on federal holidays?
Yes, the stock market closes on federal holidays. You cannot buy or sell stocks on those days. The New York Stock Exchange publishes its holiday schedule on its website.
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, do I get Monday off?
If you work for the federal government, yes — the observed holiday is the Monday after. If you work for a private company, it depends on your employer's policy. Some private employers observe federal holidays, and some do not.