Public Holidays and Observances in Kentucky 2026

Kentucky provides state employees with one of the most generous holiday schedules in the nation, with 12.5 paid days off per year (13.5 in election years). This guide covers the 2026 schedule for workforce planning.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Kentucky 2026?

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 Kentucky 2026?

Note: 2026 is a midterm election year, not a presidential election year, so state employees do not receive the extra Election Day holiday. Kentucky statute also lists Robert E. Lee Day (January 19), Franklin D. Roosevelt Day (January 30), Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12), and Confederate Memorial Day (June 3) as legal public holidays, though these are not paid days off for state employees.

What Are the Major Observances in Kentucky?

When Do Schools and Businesses Close in Kentucky?

Government offices close on paid state holidays. When a holiday falls on Saturday, it’s observed the prior Friday; when on Sunday, the following Monday. State offices must be closed and employees given the day off on designated holidays.

School districts set their own calendars. Common closures include:

• Good Friday: April 3, 2026 (most districts closed)
• Spring Break: Varies by district, typically late March or April
• Kentucky Derby weekend: Some districts close for Kentucky Oaks (May 1, 2026) or Derby Day (May 2, 2026)

Check your local district website or the Kentucky Department of Education for specific dates.

Banks close on federal holidays only. Good Friday, Election Day, and other Kentucky-specific holidays do not close banks.

Private businesses in Kentucky vary by industry. Bourbon distilleries in the Bluegrass region often adjust schedules around Kentucky Derby season, offering premium pay for tourism-related workers. Automotive plants in Louisville and Georgetown (Toyota) follow corporate schedules with 4-on-4-off shift patterns. Coal operations in eastern Kentucky maintain continuous schedules with holiday premium pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many paid holidays do Kentucky state employees get?

Kentucky state employees receive 12.5 paid holidays per year, increasing to 13.5 in presidential election years. This includes the day after New Year’s, the day after Thanksgiving, and either Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas.

Is Good Friday a half day in Kentucky?

Yes, Good Friday is a half-day holiday for Kentucky state employees and public employers. State offices close at noon. Private employers are not required to observe it. In 2026, Good Friday falls on April 3.

Is the Kentucky DMV open on Good Friday?

Kentucky DMV offices (called Circuit Court Clerk offices for driver licensing) have reduced hours on Good Friday, typically closing at noon since it is a half-day state holiday.

Do Kentucky state employees get the day after New Year’s off?

Yes, Kentucky state employees receive January 2 (the day after New Year’s Day) as a paid holiday, making a four-day weekend when combined with New Year’s Day falling on Thursday in 2026.

Is Kentucky Derby Day a state holiday?

Kentucky Derby Day (first Saturday in May) is not an official state holiday in Kentucky. However, many Louisville-area employers and schools provide time off or adjust schedules for Derby festivities.

Summary

Kentucky observes all 11 federal holidays plus additional state holidays in 2026, giving state employees 12.5–13.5 paid days off. Government offices close on designated holidays, while banks follow the federal schedule. Plan staffing around bourbon tourism season and automotive manufacturing schedules.

Further reading: US Federal Holidays explained, floating holiday guidance, and time off request strategies.

Sources

• Kentucky Personnel Cabinet – State Holidays
• Kentucky Revised Statutes – KRS 2.110 Legal Public Holidays
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Federal Holidays