Is Presidents Day a federal holiday? What to expect on Feb. 16, 2026
Yes. Presidents Day — observed on the third Monday in February — is a federal holiday, and in 2026 it falls on Monday, Feb. 16. The day began as a commemoration of George Washington's birthday and has evolved into a broader observance of the nation’s presidents. Expect federal offices and many municipal services to close or operate on holiday schedules across the D. C. region.
What’s closed and who gets the day off
Federal and many local government offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16. That includes most motor vehicle offices across the District, Virginia and Maryland, and courts and administrative offices that follow federal holiday closures. The postal service will not deliver mail and post office locations will be closed for the day, with regular operations resuming on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Major banks and Federal Reserve branches will be closed; ATMs will remain available for cash withdrawals and basic transactions. Public schools in the D. C. area will not hold classes. Many municipal recreation, community and aquatic centers will be closed, though outdoor parks remain open for public use. Emergency and hypothermia shelters will remain operational through the holiday.
Private employers and retailers set their own schedules; some stores, pharmacies and grocery locations may operate with reduced or modified hours. Delivery carriers will continue some services: two major private carriers will operate, though one has announced service modifications for the holiday, so customers should plan for potential delays.
Transportation, parking and local services in the D. C. area
Transit agencies in the region will run altered schedules on Presidents Day. The regional rail system will operate on a weekend schedule, with service from 5 a. m. to midnight ET on Monday. Buses will run on a Saturday-plus supplemental schedule. Outside the District, some county bus systems will operate on holiday schedules or make route exceptions: one suburban county will run a holiday schedule for its local buses, while a neighboring county’s main bus network will largely operate normally with at least one route suspended. Paratransit and on-demand county services may not operate.
Parking enforcement will be relaxed in parts of the region: parking meters in the District will not require payment Monday, and enforcement will resume Tuesday. Montgomery County will allow free parking at county garages, lots and curbside meters; Arlington will also suspend parking meter enforcement. Residents should check local signage before leaving vehicles to avoid confusion.
Trash and recycling collection schedules in the District were set to shift for the holiday but have been returned to their normal timetable, so most customers should expect pickup on their regular day. Libraries will have limited openings in the District, with at least one branch in each ward offering services on Presidents Day.
Background and practical tips
Presidents Day began as a celebration of George Washington’s Feb. 22 birthday and was later moved to the third Monday in February under the Uniform Holidays Act. The holiday’s formal federal designation remains Washington’s Birthday in government records, but it is widely observed as Presidents Day and serves as a long weekend for many Americans.
Practical tips for the holiday: plan bank and postal transactions before Monday; expect slower delivery windows for shipped packages; confirm hours with local businesses before visiting; and check transit agency updates if travel is necessary. If you rely on county or municipal services, verify whether specialized services such as paratransit or on-demand transit are operating.
For most residents, Presidents Day provides a predictable winter holiday: government offices close, transit runs on modified schedules, and many communities offer limited public services while keeping essential shelters and emergency operations in place.
