New York Holidays 2026
New York has 11 federal holidays and 2 state holidays in 2026. Private employers don't have to give any of them.
Last updated on Nov 1, 2026
11 federal holidays, 2 state holidays and 2 commonly given in 2026.
11 federal holidays and 2 state holidays in 2026.
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All 2026 holidays in New York
17 days listed| Month | Date | Holiday | Type | Paid by law? | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1Thu | New Year's Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| 19Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| February | 12Thu | Lincoln's BirthdayLegal holiday; observed as a floating holiday only for certain state bargaining units | State | Not required for private employers | |
| 15Sun | Susan B. Anthony DayCommemorative day; not a legal holiday for state employees | Observance | Not a day off | ||
| 16Mon | Washington's Birthday | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| April | 5Sun | Easter Sunday | Observance | Not a day off | |
| May | 25Mon | Memorial Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| June | 19Fri | Juneteenth | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| July | 4Sat | Independence DayFalls on a Saturday. Observed Fri Jul 3New York state offices don't move it to a weekday; eligible state employees earn holiday leave (a pass day holiday) instead | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| September | 7Mon | Labor Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| October | 12Mon | Columbus Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| November | 3Tue | Election DayLegal holiday; observed as a floating holiday only for certain state bargaining units | State | Not required for private employers | |
| 11Wed | Veterans Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| 26Thu | Thanksgiving Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | ||
| 27Fri | Day after Thanksgiving | Commonly given | Not required | ||
| December | 25Fri | Christmas Day | Federal | Not required for private employers | |
| 31Thu | New Year's Eve | Commonly given | Not required |
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What employers need to know
Paid holidays
New York doesn't require employers to pay for holidays not worked unless the employer has set a policy to pay them. If you create a holiday policy, you can set its conditions.
Working on a holiday
New York Labor Law doesn't require overtime pay for holiday work. If an employment agreement or union contract promises extra pay for holiday work, that promise is enforceable.
Written holiday policy
New York employers must tell employees their holiday policy in writing or by posting it publicly. Without a written policy, an oral policy or past practice can still be enforced if an investigation confirms its terms.
Holidays that fall on a weekend
Federal offices observe Saturday holidays on Friday and Sunday holidays on Monday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, eligible New York state employees earn holiday leave (a pass day holiday) instead; a Sunday holiday is observed on Monday.
Unused vacation when someone leaves
In New York, the employer's policy or employment contract decides whether accrued, unused vacation is paid at termination. If the policy is silent, the employer must still pay it, and forfeiture must be in a written or posted policy.
From our New York leave laws guideSick leave
New York requires all private employers to offer sick leave, accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked. Employers with 5 to 99 employees provide up to 40 paid hours, and those with 100+ employees up to 56.
From our New York leave laws guideMaximize your PTO in 2026
These are our suggestions for the best days to take off in New York. New York state offices don't close for any extra full days in 2026, so these use the 11 federal holidays. Take all 12 suggested PTO days and you get 45 days off across 11 breaks, including 10 long weekends. Pick a break to see it on the calendar.
- Federal
- State
- Commonly given
- Suggested PTO day
- Weekend
- Today
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
When New York teams take time off
The 5 weeks when the most New York employees using Vacation Tracker were off, compared with an average week.
- Dec 21 – 27Week 52 3.1× a normal week3.1×
- Aug 24 – 30Week 35 2.0× a normal week2.0×
- Jun 29 – Jul 5Week 27 1.7× a normal week1.7×
- Aug 3 – 9Week 32 1.7× a normal week1.7×
- Aug 10 – 16Week 33 1.7× a normal week1.7×
How New York holidays differ
State holidays
New York has 2 holidays of its own in 2026 on top of the federal ones. The median across the 50 states and DC is 2; 20 have more and 16 have fewer.
Shared with a few states
Lincoln's Birthday is also a state holiday in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.
Federal holidays
New York state offices observe all 11 federal holidays.
Neighboring states in 2026
- Connecticut2 holidays of its own
- Massachusetts1 holiday of its own
- New Jersey2 holidays of its own
- Pennsylvania1 holiday of its own
- Vermont3 holidays of its own
Sources
- NYS Dept. of Civil Service - 2027 Calendar of Legal Holidays for State Employees
- NYS Dept. of Civil Service - 2026 Calendar of Legal Holidays
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Wages and Hours Frequently Asked Questions | New York State Department of Labor
- Overtime Frequently Asked Questions | New York State Department of Labor
Holiday calendar data includes date-holidays (CC BY-SA 3.0), checked against the official sources above.
Last updated on Nov 1, 2026. Holiday dates come from public sources. Check your employment contract and the official sources above before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
No. New York doesn't require pay for holidays not worked unless the employer has established a policy to pay them.
In 2026, New York has the 11 federal holidays and 2 state holidays: Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) and Election Day (November 3).
Yes. Juneteenth is a federal holiday and a New York state holiday. In 2026 it falls on Friday, June 19.
Yes. Columbus Day is a federal holiday and a New York state holiday. In 2026 it falls on Monday, October 12.
No. It isn't a New York state holiday, so private employers don't have to give it. In 2026 it falls on Friday, November 27.
No. New York Labor Law doesn't require overtime pay for holiday work, but an employment agreement or union contract that promises extra holiday pay is enforceable.
New York overtime is based on hours worked: nearly all covered employees get overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in the workweek (44 for residential employees). Under federal law (the FLSA), paid holiday time off isn't hours worked and doesn't have to be counted toward overtime.
Federal offices observe Saturday holidays on Friday and Sunday holidays on Monday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, eligible New York state employees earn holiday leave (a pass day holiday) instead; a Sunday holiday is observed on Monday. In 2026, Independence Day falls on a Saturday and is observed on Friday, July 3.