Charlotte Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

Banking town, race town, Bible Belt town—Charlotte’s calendar reflects all three. Here’s 2026. For statewide holidays, see our North Carolina holidays 2026 guide.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Charlotte 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 North Carolina Observe?

North Carolina observes Good Friday (April 3, 2026) as an optional state holiday. State offices may close or operate with reduced staff.

The day after Thanksgiving is a state holiday. State and many local government offices close on November 27, 2026.

What Local Events Affect Charlotte Schedules in 2026?

Specific 2026 dates for major events are typically announced in late 2025 or early 2026. Check official event websites for confirmed schedules.

Uptown street closures, Memorial Day weekend – Speed Street (May) closes Tryon Street and surrounding Uptown blocks for 3 days before the Coca-Cola 600. Expect heavy foot traffic and limited downtown access.
Concord and I-85 traffic – Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May) creates major traffic congestion on Memorial Day weekend. Plan for heavy traffic Thursday through Sunday.
Uptown street closures – Charlotte Marathon (November) closes routes through Uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. Expect limited vehicle access in the morning.
Bank of America Stadium traffic – Panthers home games create heavy traffic around Uptown. Sunday games and primetime matchups have the largest impact.
Spectrum Center events – Hornets games, concerts, and events create evening traffic surges in Uptown, especially when combined with holidays.

When Do Charlotte Government Offices Close?

City and Mecklenburg County offices close for all federal holidays plus the Friday after Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are typically early releases.

When Are CMS Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Good Friday (April 3)
Day after Thanksgiving (November 27)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (April)
Teacher workdays (dates vary)

The official 2026–2027 CMS calendar releases in early 2026. Confirm specific dates then.

How Do Charlotte Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Charlotte’s a banking town, so federal holidays hit harder than in most cities—a bigger chunk of the workforce is off. Race weekend (Memorial Day) floods Uptown and everything between here and Concord. Panthers Sundays mean Uptown traffic headaches September through January.

Summary

Memorial Day weekend is really “race weekend” here—plan for Speed Street and the 600. Banking means federal holidays matter more than average. Good Friday closes schools and catches employers off guard if they’re not from the South.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Charlotte banks close more than other cities?

No—they follow the same federal schedule. But Charlotte is a banking HQ city (Bank of America, Truist), so bank holidays hit harder here. More employees work in financial services, which means more people off on federal holidays compared to cities with different industry mixes.

How do I staff for Coca-Cola 600 weekend?

Plan for a 4-day impact, not just race day. Speed Street closes Uptown streets Thursday–Saturday. The race is Sunday. Hotels from Charlotte to Concord sell out. If your business is near I-85 or Uptown, expect both traffic delays and higher customer demand.

Do Panthers games disrupt Uptown Charlotte on Sundays?

Yes. Bank of America Stadium is in Uptown, not a suburban complex. Game days mean street closures, packed restaurants, and 3-hour traffic windows before and after kickoff. Staff who commute through Uptown will be late. September–January, plan around the NFL schedule.

Is Good Friday a big deal in Charlotte?

Bigger than most cities. North Carolina observes it as an optional state holiday, and Charlotte’s large religious community means higher-than-average closures. CMS schools close. Many offices operate with skeleton crews. Plan for Good Friday (April 3, 2026) like a soft holiday.