When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026? What to know about the upcoming holiday

WASHINGTON — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. federal holiday that honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

The holiday recognizes his work toward equality, justice and nonviolent social change, and it is observed nationwide with school closures, government office shutdowns and community events.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

MLK Day is celebrated every year on the third Monday in January, which places it close to Dr. King’s birthday, Jan. 15. This year, that third Monday falls on Jan. 19.

The federal holiday was signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986. Today, it is recognized in all 50 states and is often marked as a National Day of Service, encouraging people to volunteer and give back to their communities in honor of Dr. King’s message.

Since MLK Day is a national holiday, many businesses will be closed. Here’s what to know.

As a Federal Reserve bank holiday, most banks will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. US Bank, Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, Capital One, PNC Bank, Santander Bank, TD Bank, Truist and Wells Fargo branches will be closed. 

You can still utilize online banking and ATM services. As always, be sure to check with local branches for hours on specific locations. 

All United States Post Offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered on Monday.

UPS will be closed, but FedEx locations will be open. Some services may experience a delay due to the holiday.

All federal offices will be closed, including federal courts, on Jan. 19, 2026. 

No matter which day your state celebrates, Jan. 19 is considered a state holiday as well, meaning state offices will also be closed. That includes things like DMVs.

Some local municipalities may remain open, or may have some offices open in a limited capacity. Check with your local government offices first to make sure they’re open, or head over on Tuesday instead. 

The New York Stock Exchange observes U.S. holidays, so the stock market will be closed on Monday.

Major retailers, including national stores such as Target and Walmart, will be open on Monday when communities mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

Grocery stores and pharmacies, like Costco, Safeway or CVS, will also be open. 

Be sure to check with your local stores, though, as they may have adjusted hours.