Atlanta Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

This guide covers the 2026 dates that close schools, shut city offices, disrupt transit, or require adjusted staffing in Atlanta. Use it to plan schedules and time-off requests. For statewide holidays, see our Georgia holidays 2026 guide.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Atlanta for 2026?

Holiday	Date	Day
New Year’s Day	January 1	Thursday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 19	Monday
Presidents’ Day	February 16	Monday
Memorial Day	May 25	Monday
Juneteenth	June 19	Friday
Independence Day	July 4	Saturday
Labor Day	September 7	Monday
Columbus Day	October 12	Monday
Veterans Day	November 11	Wednesday
Thanksgiving Day	November 26	Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25	Friday

Independence Day falls on Saturday. Most city offices and federal agencies will close Friday, July 3 instead.

City offices, courts, and most government services close on all dates above. Many private employers follow the same schedule.

What State Holidays Does Georgia Observe?

Georgia observes several state-designated holidays when state offices close. These include a state holiday on April 27, 2026, and the day after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026). Note: These are official state office closures; most private employers and the City of Atlanta do not observe them.

Georgia also observes Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day, February 16, 2026).

What Local Events Affect Atlanta Schedules in 2026?

Peachtree Road closures – The AJC Peachtree Road Race (July 4) closes Peachtree Road from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park. This is the world’s largest 10K. Plan for no vehicle access along the route.
Downtown convention traffic – Dragon Con (Labor Day weekend) brings 80,000+ attendees to downtown. Hotels are fully booked. The Saturday parade closes streets.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium events – Atlanta Falcons NFL games and Atlanta United MLS games create major traffic. Concerts and SEC Championship games have similar impact.
Hartsfield-Jackson traffic – Peak travel days (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer) create significant airport-area congestion. The world’s busiest airport affects traffic on I-85 and I-285.
Music Midtown and Shaky Knees – These festivals (September and May) affect Piedmont Park area access.

When Do Atlanta Government Offices Close?

City of Atlanta offices close on all federal holidays. The day after Thanksgiving is typically a closure. Christmas Eve often has reduced hours.

Fulton County and DeKalb County offices follow similar schedules but may observe additional state holidays.

When Are APS Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Atlanta Public Schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Day after Thanksgiving (November 27)
Fall break (October)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (April)

Atlanta Public Schools typically finalizes the calendar in late spring. Verify 2026–2027 dates on the APS website when posted.

How Do Atlanta Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. Atlanta is a major convention city—hospitality demand remains high throughout the year.

Dragon Con weekend (Labor Day) and the Peachtree Road Race (July 4) require maximum hospitality staffing. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; the Peachtree Road Race closes Peachtree Road on July 4; Dragon Con creates Labor Day weekend hotel and traffic impacts; the day after Thanksgiving closes state offices.

Use this list to build shift schedules, approve time-off requests, and avoid staffing gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks and post offices open on Atlanta holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on Georgia state-designated holidays. Most private employers do not observe these state holidays. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is MARTA running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

Yes. MARTA runs on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25), but with reduced Sunday/holiday schedules. Rail and bus routes operate less frequently. Check MARTA for specific route schedules.

How does the Peachtree Road Race affect Atlanta traffic?

The AJC Peachtree Road Race (July 4, 2026) closes Peachtree Road from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park. This is the world’s largest 10K with 60,000 runners. Expect no vehicle access along the route from early morning until early afternoon.

How does Dragon Con affect downtown Atlanta?

Dragon Con (Labor Day weekend, September 4–7, 2026) brings 80,000+ attendees to downtown Atlanta. Hotels sell out months in advance. Expect major pedestrian traffic around host hotels and significant vehicle traffic. The parade on Saturday morning closes downtown streets.

Does Hartsfield-Jackson Airport affect holiday staffing?

Yes. As the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson creates year-round demand for transportation, hospitality, and service workers. Peak travel days (Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas, spring break) require maximum staffing. Airport-area employers should plan for heavy traffic on I-85 and I-285 during peak travel periods.