The next federal bank holiday depends on today's date and which holidays fall on weekdays

Federal bank holidays are days when banks, the Federal Reserve, and most government offices close. The U.S. observes 11 of them each year on fixed dates or specific days of the week. If you need to know the next one coming up, you have to check the current calendar against the official list — there is no single "next holiday" that applies to everyone reading this.

The holidays that fall on weekdays are the ones that affect banking. When a holiday lands on a Saturday, banks typically close on Friday instead. When it lands on a Sunday, they close on Monday. This shift matters because it changes when you can deposit checks, process transfers, or reach a live person at your bank.

The easiest way to find the next one is to look at the Federal Reserve's official holiday calendar on its website, which lists closures for the current and coming year. Your own bank's website also publishes its holiday schedule, sometimes with slight variations if your bank observes additional holidays beyond the federal list.

Key Takeaways

  • The 11 federal bank holidays occur on fixed dates each year, with some observed on the nearest weekday if they fall on a weekend.
  • When a holiday falls on Saturday, banks close on Friday; when it falls on Sunday, they close on Monday.
  • The Federal Reserve publishes an official holiday calendar showing which days banks will be closed in the current and upcoming year.
  • Your specific bank may observe additional holidays beyond the federal list, so checking your bank's website gives you the most accurate closure schedule.

The 11 federal bank holidays and when they occur

The federal holidays that close banks are: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

Most of these fall on the same date every year. The ones that move are the ones tied to a specific day of the week — MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving. These dates change year to year but always fall on the same day of the week.

Not every bank observes every federal holiday the same way. Some banks close for all 11. Others may add regional holidays or observe fewer days. Your bank's specific schedule is the one that matters for your accounts and transactions.

How bank closures affect your transactions

On a federal bank holiday, you cannot deposit checks at a physical branch, speak to a banker in person, or process certain transactions that require manual review. Automated services like ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps usually work normally — you can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills online.

If you deposit a check on a bank holiday, the deposit typically posts the next business day. If the holiday falls on a Friday, a check deposited that day may not clear until the following Tuesday. This matters if you are counting on funds arriving by a specific date.

Wire transfers and ACH transfers (the electronic transfers between banks) also move more slowly around holidays. A transfer initiated on a Thursday before a Friday holiday may not reach the receiving bank until Tuesday. The Federal Reserve publishes a schedule of when it processes transfers around holidays, which your bank follows.

Finding your bank's specific holiday schedule

Your bank publishes its holiday schedule on its website, usually under a section called "Hours" or "Locations." Some banks list it on their mobile app as well. The schedule shows which days your specific branches will be closed and whether any services remain available.

If you bank with a large national bank, the schedule is usually the same across all branches. Regional banks or credit unions may have different schedules depending on the state they operate in, or they may observe additional holidays that are important to their community.

If you cannot find the schedule online, call your bank's customer service line. They can tell you the closure dates for the year and whether any of your local branches have different hours.

What to do if you need banking services on a holiday

If you need to move money on a federal bank holiday, use your bank's online or mobile app if the transaction does not require a person to review it. Transfers between your own accounts, bill payments, and balance checks all work on holidays. You can also use an ATM to withdraw cash or deposit checks at many banks.

If you need to speak to someone or handle a transaction that requires manual approval, you will have to wait until the next business day. Some banks offer customer service by phone or chat on holidays, but they cannot process transactions that need a banker's sign-off.

If you are expecting a deposit or transfer to arrive on a holiday, assume it will arrive the next business day instead. This is especially true for checks and ACH transfers, which move through the Federal Reserve's system and follow its holiday schedule.

How the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule affects all banks

The Federal Reserve closes on federal holidays and does not process transfers through its systems on those days. This means that even if your bank is open, transfers that move through the Fed — like wire transfers and ACH payments — will not clear until the Fed reopens.

The Fed publishes its holiday schedule each year, and all banks follow it. This is why a transfer you send on a Thursday before a Friday holiday will not reach the other bank until Tuesday, even if both banks are technically open on Monday.

If you are sending a time-sensitive payment, check both your bank's holiday schedule and the Federal Reserve's before you initiate the transfer. This tells you the actual day the money will arrive.

Planning around bank holidays

If you have a bill due on or near a bank holiday, pay it a few days early. If you are expecting a deposit, assume it will arrive the day after the holiday. If you need cash, withdraw it before the holiday closes your branch.

For recurring payments like mortgage or loan payments, your bank usually processes these automatically even on holidays, so you do not need to do anything. But if you are making a one-time payment or transfer, plan ahead.

Keeping your bank's holiday schedule bookmarked or saved to your phone takes the guesswork out of planning around closures. Most banks update their schedule in December for the coming year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs work 24/7 on bank holidays, and you can use your debit card to make purchases at stores. You just cannot visit a physical branch or speak to a banker in person.

Will my direct deposit arrive on a bank holiday?

Direct deposits are usually processed by the Federal Reserve the day before a holiday, so the money arrives in your account on the holiday itself or the day before. Check with your employer or the source of the deposit if you are unsure of the timing.

What if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

If a holiday falls on Saturday, banks close on Friday instead. If it falls on Sunday, they close on Monday. Your bank's website shows which day it will actually be closed.

Do all banks close on the same days?

Most banks close on the 11 federal holidays, but some observe additional holidays or have different schedules based on their location. Check your specific bank's website to be sure.

Can I still pay my bills online on a bank holiday?

Yes. Online bill payments and transfers between your own accounts work on bank holidays. The payment may post the next business day, but you can schedule it on the holiday itself.