Public Holidays and Observances in Kansas 2026
Kansas holidays 2026: full list of federal holidays plus Kansas state holidays including Christmas Eve and a discretionary day for state employees.
Kansas designates state holidays annually through the Governor and Kansas Board of Regents. This guide covers the 2026 holiday schedule for workforce planning across the state’s agricultural and aerospace industries.
What Are the Federal Holidays in Kansas 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 |
Note: Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Federal and state offices will observe it on Friday, July 3.
What Are the State Holidays in Kansas 2026?
| Holiday | Date | Day | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day After Thanksgiving | November 27 | Friday | State employees receive this day off |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | Thursday | Designated state holiday for 2026 |
| Discretionary Day | Flexible | Any day | One floating day for state employees |
Kansas does not observe Columbus Day or Presidents’ Day as paid state holidays. The Governor designates holidays annually, so the schedule may vary from year to year.
What Are the Major Observances in Kansas?
| Observance | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Day | January 29 | Celebrates statehood (1861); not a state closure |
| Good Friday | April 3 | Not a state holiday; some businesses close early |
| Arbor Day | Last Friday in April | State observance; tree planting activities |
| Flag Day | June 14 | Observance only; no business closures |
When Do Schools and Businesses Close in Kansas?
Government offices close on designated state holidays. The Kansas Department of Administration publishes the official schedule annually. Note that Kansas state offices remain open on Columbus Day and Presidents’ Day, unlike federal offices.
School districts set their own calendars. Common closures in Kansas include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026 (most districts closed)
- Spring Break: Varies by district, typically mid-March
- Thanksgiving Break: November 26–27, 2026 (Thursday–Friday)
Check your local district website or the Kansas State Department of Education for specific dates.
Banks close on federal holidays, including Columbus Day and Presidents’ Day when Kansas state offices remain open.
Private businesses in Kansas vary by industry. Aerospace manufacturers in Wichita (Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation) typically follow corporate holiday schedules with shift differential pay for production workers. Agricultural operations across the state run through holidays during planting and harvest seasons, using mandatory overtime to maintain schedules. Oil and gas operations in western Kansas maintain 4-on-4-off shift patterns year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christmas Eve a state holiday in Kansas?
Yes, Christmas Eve (December 24) is a designated state holiday in Kansas for 2026. State offices close, giving employees a four-day weekend when combined with Christmas Day.
Is the Kansas DMV open on Columbus Day?
Yes, Kansas DMV offices remain open on Columbus Day. Unlike many states, Kansas does not observe Columbus Day as a state holiday—only federal offices and banks close.
What is a discretionary day in Kansas state employment?
Kansas state employees receive one discretionary day per calendar year that functions like a floating holiday. It can be used anytime between January 1 and December 31. Employees must be benefits-eligible and employed for at least six months.
Do Kansas state offices close for Presidents’ Day?
No, Kansas state offices remain open on Presidents’ Day. Kansas does not observe Presidents’ Day or Columbus Day as paid state holidays, though federal offices and banks close on these days.
How many paid holidays do Kansas state employees get?
Kansas state employees receive approximately 10 paid holidays plus one discretionary day annually. The state does not observe Columbus Day or Presidents’ Day, but adds Christmas Eve and the day after Thanksgiving.
Summary
Kansas observes most federal holidays plus the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and a discretionary day in 2026. State offices remain open on Columbus Day and Presidents’ Day. Plan staffing around these dates, especially for aerospace manufacturing and agricultural operations during peak seasons.
Additional resources: US Federal Holidays calendar, floating holiday policies, and time off request management.
