New Delhi, Dec. 24 -- With the end of the year almost upon the United States, many Americans are already looking ahead at the 2026 federal holiday schedule to plan time off, travel, and family gatherings. According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), there are 11 federal holidays in 2026, beginning with New Year's Day on 1 January and ending with Christmas Day on 25 December.

Most federal employees work a Monday-to-Friday schedule. Under federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103), holidays that fall on weekends are usually observed on a nearby weekday, Friday if the holiday falls on a Saturday, or Monday if it falls on a Sunday, as explained by OPM.

In 2026, only one federal holiday officially falls on a weekend. Independence Day falls on Sat...