Presidents' Day 2026

When Is Presidents' Day in 2026?

In 2026, Presidents' Day falls on February 16. The observance lasts 1 day. Because Presidents' Day follows a Third Monday of February (Uniform Monday Holiday Act, 1968; officially still 'Washington's Birthday'), the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. A US federal holiday on the third Monday of February — timezone-independent. Although still officially 'Washington's Birthday' at the federal level, most states call it Presidents' Day and use it to honor both Washington and Lincoln (and all presidents). State-level observance varies. Since Presidents' Day's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 February 16 2027 February 15 2028 February 21 2029 February 19 2030 February 18

What Time Does Presidents' Day Start in Your Time Zone?

Presidents' Day falls on the third Monday of February — a floating date determined by the day of the week. The third Monday of February always falls between February 15 and February 21, which means it always falls between Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) and Washington's actual birthday (February 22). In 2026, Presidents' Day falls on February 16. As a U.S. federal holiday, it is observed nationwide on the same date. Because Presidents' Day is on a Monday, it creates a three-day weekend for federal employees and many other workers. Schools are typically closed, and banks and the stock market are closed. The holiday is timezone-independent in the sense that Monday is Monday everywhere — all U.S. states observe Presidents' Day on the same Gregorian date. The table below shows the observance date for Presidents' Day in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA February 16 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK February 16 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India February 16 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia February 16 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE February 16 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day — officially called Washington's Birthday at the federal level — is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February. The holiday originally honored George Washington (the first U.S. President, born on February 22, 1732), and was fixed on the third Monday of February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 (which took effect in 1971). The holiday is now popularly understood to honor all U.S. presidents, particularly Washington and Abraham Lincoln (born on February 12, 1809), though the federal name remains "Washington's Birthday." George Washington's birthday had been celebrated as an unofficial holiday since the late 18th century, while Washington was still alive. The holiday became official in 1885, when President Chester A. Arthur signed a bill making February 22 a federal holiday. The date was fixed on Washington's actual birthday (February 22, by the Gregorian calendar — though Washington was born on February 11, 1731, by the Julian calendar then in use in Britain and its colonies; the date shifted when Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752). In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Washington's Birthday (along with Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day) from fixed dates to designated Mondays, creating more three-day weekends for federal workers. The change took effect in 1971, and Washington's Birthday has been observed on the third Monday of February ever since. The holiday's popular name, "Presidents' Day," emerged in the 1980s as retailers began using the long weekend for sales events. The name was appealing because it suggested a broader honor — all presidents, not just Washington — and because it was easier to market than "Washington's Birthday." Some states officially use "Presidents' Day" (or "President's Day," with the apostrophe in different positions), while others retain "Washington's Birthday" or use other names. A few states combine the observance with Lincoln's Birthday (February 12), creating a single holiday that honors both Washington and Lincoln. The federal holiday, however, remains officially "Washington's Birthday," regardless of what the day is called at the state level or in popular usage.

How Presidents' Day Is Celebrated

Presidents' Day is celebrated primarily as a long weekend rather than with elaborate ceremonies. Federal and state government offices are closed, as are most schools and many businesses. The most visible observance is at Mount Vernon, Washington's estate in Virginia, where a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington's tomb is held, followed by a ceremonial procession and other patriotic events. The wreath is typically laid by the U.S. military on behalf of the President. Retail sales are the most prominent popular tradition of Presidents' Day. Department stores, electronics retailers, and furniture stores use the long weekend for major sales events, often advertised as "Presidents' Day Sales." The association between Presidents' Day and shopping dates to the 1980s and has become the dominant popular understanding of the holiday. Many Americans use the long weekend for travel, particularly to ski resorts (in the northern states) and to beach destinations (in the southern states and the Caribbean). Schools often use the days around Presidents' Day for lessons about the U.S. presidents, particularly Washington and Lincoln. Children learn about Washington's role in the American Revolution and his presidency, and about Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War and his role in ending slavery. Some communities hold patriotic events, parades, or reenactments. The holiday also has a culinary tradition: cherry pie is often served on Presidents' Day, recalling the (apocryphal) story of young George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and confessing, "I cannot tell a lie." Why Does Presidents' Day Move Every Year? Presidents' Day is fixed on the third Monday of February — chosen so that the holiday always falls between Lincoln's Birthday (February 12) and Washington's Birthday (February 22). The third-Monday rule was established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. The earliest possible date is February 15; the latest is February 21. The act moved Washington's Birthday (and other holidays) from fixed dates to designated Mondays in order to create more three-day weekends for federal workers.

Calendar Calculation

Third Monday of February (Uniform Monday Holiday Act, 1968; officially still 'Washington's Birthday')

Did You Know? Presidents' Day Facts & Trivia

Presidents' Day — officially called Washington's Birthday at the federal level — was originally a celebration of George Washington's birthday (February 22, 1732). The holiday was fixed on the third Monday of February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which took effect in 1971. The holiday's popular name, "Presidents' Day," emerged in the 1980s as retailers began using the long weekend for sales events. The name suggests a broader honor — all presidents, not just Washington — and is easier to market than "Washington's Birthday." The federal holiday, however, remains officially "Washington's Birthday." Washington's actual birthday was February 11, 1732, by the Julian calendar then in use in Britain and its colonies. When Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the date shifted to February 22 — the date that was celebrated as Washington's Birthday until the holiday was moved to the third Monday of February in 1971. Some states combine the observance with Lincoln's Birthday (February 12), creating a single holiday that honors both Washington and Lincoln. The federal holiday, however, only honors Washington — though popular culture has expanded the holiday to honor all U.S. presidents.