2027 Federal Holiday Schedule
| Holiday | Statutory Date | Observed (Most Federal Employees) |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday, January 1, 2027 | Friday, January 1, 2027 |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 18, 2027 | Monday, January 18, 2027 |
| Washington's Birthday | Monday, February 15, 2027 | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31, 2027 | Monday, May 31, 2027 |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Saturday, June 19, 2027 | Friday, June 18, 2027 (shifted) |
| Independence Day | Sunday, July 4, 2027 | Monday, July 5, 2027 (shifted) |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 6, 2027 | Monday, September 6, 2027 |
| Columbus Day | Monday, October 11, 2027 | Monday, October 11, 2027 |
| Veterans Day | Thursday, November 11, 2027 | Thursday, November 11, 2027 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 25, 2027 | Thursday, November 25, 2027 |
| Christmas Day | Saturday, December 25, 2027 | Friday, December 24, 2027 (shifted) |
Why Three 2027 Holidays Move
Six of the eleven federal holidays are pinned to a fixed calendar date rather than a weekday, so roughly every seven years each one lands on a Saturday or Sunday. In 2027 that happens three times, which is on the high side — a consequence of January 1 falling on a Friday in a 365-day year.
When a fixed-date holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is treated as the holiday for pay and leave purposes; when it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is used. That is why Juneteenth, June 19, 2027 (a Saturday) is observed Friday, June 18, and Christmas Day, December 25, 2027 (also a Saturday) is observed Friday, December 24. Independence Day, July 4, 2027, is a Sunday, so it shifts forward to Monday, July 5.
The legal holiday itself does not move. December 25 remains Christmas Day in statute; only the day off shifts. That distinction matters for contracts, leases, and statutory deadlines written against "a legal public holiday" rather than "a day on which federal offices are closed" — in 2027 those two phrases point at different dates three times.
The "In Lieu Of" Rule for Non-Standard Schedules
The Friday-before and Monday-after convention assumes a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Employees on compressed or rotating schedules receive an "in lieu of" holiday determined differently: generally the workday immediately preceding the holiday when it falls on a non-workday. A four-day-week employee whose regular day off is Friday does not lose the Christmas holiday in 2027 — the in-lieu-of day moves back to Thursday, December 23.
Effect on Banking and Payroll Settlement
Federal Reserve Banks close on the observed dates, and ACH transactions do not settle on those days. For payroll that is the practical consequence of the 2027 shifts: a direct deposit scheduled to land Monday, July 5 will not settle that day, so most employers originate it Friday, July 2 instead. The December 24 observance sits directly before a weekend and creates a four-day settlement gap.
One asymmetry catches payroll teams out. When the Federal Reserve observes a holiday on a Monday, the ACH file typically has to be submitted two banking days ahead, which for the July 2027 case means Wednesday, June 30. Teams that cut files on their usual Thursday schedule will be a day late.
Long Weekends in 2027
Seven of the eleven holidays fall on a Monday in 2027, producing the standard three-day weekend. The two Friday observances, June 18 and December 24, create three-day weekends of their own. New Year's Day 2027 falls on a Friday in its own right, so the year opens with a long weekend without needing any shift. Only Veterans Day and Thanksgiving land mid-week.
Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Holidays, which publishes the observed dates, and 5 U.S.C. § 6103, which establishes the 11 legal public holidays. Bank settlement dates follow the Federal Reserve Bank holiday schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many federal holidays are there in 2027?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2027, the same 11 established by 5 U.S.C. 6103. Three fall on a weekend and are observed on an adjacent weekday for pay and leave purposes.
Which 2027 federal holidays fall on a weekend?
Three. Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) and Christmas Day (December 25) both fall on a Saturday and are observed the preceding Friday, June 18 and December 24 respectively. Independence Day (July 4) falls on a Sunday and is observed Monday, July 5.
Is the observed date the same as the legal holiday?
No. The statutory date does not change - Christmas Day is still December 25, 2027. Only the day federal offices close moves. Contracts and deadlines that reference a legal public holiday may therefore point to a different date than the day offices are actually shut.
Do banks close on the observed date or the statutory date?
Federal Reserve Banks follow the observed date, so ACH transactions do not settle on June 18, July 5, or December 24, 2027. Payroll direct deposits scheduled for those days generally have to be originated earlier.
How this page is reviewed
See methodology, assumptions & sources
| Risk tier | High YMYL |
|---|---|
| Author | Calculover Editorial Team Finance and legal education |
| Editorial owner | Calculover Tax & Payroll Desk Tax and wage methodology owner |
| Reviewer | Calculover Editorial Review High-risk source and limitation review |
| Last reviewed | 2026-07-31 |
| Last verified | 2026-07-31 |
| Data effective date | 2027-01-01 |
Methodology
2027 Federal Holidays lists the 11 legal public holidays established by 5 U.S.C. 6103 and the dates on which each is observed for federal pay and leave purposes, applying the OPM rule that a Saturday holiday is observed the preceding Friday and a Sunday holiday the following Monday.
Assumptions
- Observed dates follow the standard Monday-to-Friday schedule; employees on compressed or rotating schedules receive an 'in lieu of' day determined separately.
- Bank and ACH settlement dates follow the Federal Reserve Bank holiday schedule, which tracks the observed dates.
- State and private-sector holidays are set independently and may differ from the federal schedule.
Limitations
- 2027 Federal Income Tax Brackets & Rates (Projected) does not prepare a tax return, determine final liability, apply every credit or deduction, or account for all state, local, foreign, penalty, or surtax rules.
- Confirm current forms, thresholds, and filing obligations with the IRS, the relevant tax authority, or a qualified tax professional before filing or paying tax.
Sources
- Federal Income Tax Rates and Brackets, Internal Revenue Service
- Estimated Taxes, Internal Revenue Service
Professional guidance: 2027 Federal Income Tax Brackets & Rates (Projected) is for tax education and planning only and is not tax, legal, accounting, or filing advice. Verify current rules with the relevant tax authority or a qualified tax professional.