Presidents Day 2026 falls on Monday, Feb. 16, bringing closures and long-weekend plans

Presidents Day 2026 is set for Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 (ET), creating a three-day weekend for many workers and students and pausing a wide range of government and financial services. The holiday reliably triggers the same practical questions every year: what shuts down, what stays open, and how to plan errands and travel without getting caught by delays.

While it’s commonly called “Presidents Day,” the federal holiday’s official name remains Washington’s Birthday—and how it’s labeled can vary across calendars, states, and employers.

When is Presidents Day 2026?

If you’re asking when is Presidents Day 2026, it’s Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

The date shifts each year because the holiday is observed on the third Monday in February, not on a fixed calendar day. That rule has been in place for decades to create consistent Monday holidays and long weekends.

What the holiday actually honors

At the federal level, the day is tied to George Washington, the first U.S. president. Over time, many states and organizations broadened the meaning to include other presidents—often also nodding to Abraham Lincoln because his birthday falls on Feb. 12.

In practice, the modern observance has two lanes:

• Civic remembrance: Washington’s role in the founding era and presidential legacy.

• Seasonal marker: a mid-February break that often doubles as a winter reset and travel weekend.

What’s closed on Monday, Feb. 16

Presidents Day tends to bring the most reliable closures across federal offices, mail services, and the financial system. If you have anything time-sensitive—paperwork, in-person banking, or mail-dependent deliveries—build in an extra business day.

Here’s what typically changes on Presidents Day 2026 (Feb. 16):

What’s open, and what varies locally

Unlike holidays that shut down most retail, Presidents Day is usually a normal business day for consumer-facing services. Many people experience it less as a “quiet” holiday and more as a busy shopping and travel weekend.

Commonly open (often with normal or slightly adjusted hours):

• Grocery stores and pharmacies

• Retailers and malls

• Restaurants and entertainment venues

• Most airports and airlines (with heavier holiday traffic possible)

What varies the most:

• Schools: Some districts close, some run a normal day, and some use it as a teacher workday.

• City and county offices: Many close, but not all services follow the same schedule.

• Public transit: Service often runs, but some systems use weekend-style frequency.

The safest move: treat Feb. 16 as a “maybe closed” day for local services and confirm hours in advance.

Planning tips for a smoother long weekend

Presidents Day is one of those holidays where the inconvenience comes from timing rather than drama—things don’t break, they just pause.

A few practical ways to avoid snags:

• Do banking by Friday, Feb. 13 if you need in-branch help or same-day processing.

• Mail anything urgent early and assume one extra business day for standard delivery timelines.

• Refill prescriptions ahead of time if your pharmacy keeps holiday hours.

• If traveling, expect heavier traffic late Friday and Monday afternoon, especially around major metro areas and winter destinations.

For many workplaces, this is also the last federal holiday before late spring, so it often becomes a planning checkpoint for winter breakouts, spring schedules, and the start of the year’s busier stretch.

Sources consulted: United States Postal Service; New York Stock Exchange; Federal Reserve System; U.S. Office of Personnel Management