Public Holidays and Observances in Maryland 2026

Maryland provides state employees with 13 paid holidays per year, closely following the federal schedule with American Indian Heritage Day as a unique state observance. For the D.C.-Baltimore corridor’s mix of federal contractors and private employers, here’s the 2026 breakdown.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Maryland 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 Maryland 2026?

Maryland renamed the day after Thanksgiving to American Indian Heritage Day in 2008. State agencies, libraries, and public schools close on this day.

What Are the Major Observances in Maryland?

When Do Schools and Businesses Close in Maryland?

Government offices close on all federal holidays and American Indian Heritage Day. When a holiday falls on Saturday, it’s observed on Friday; when on Sunday, it’s observed on Monday. Agencies providing 24/7 services may adjust schedules and provide holiday leave at alternate times.

School districts set their own calendars. Maryland public schools typically observe:

• Presidents’ Day: February 16, 2026 (most districts closed)
• Spring Break: Varies by county, typically late March or April
• American Indian Heritage Day: November 27, 2026 (statewide closure)

Check your county school system or the Maryland State Department of Education for specific dates.

Banks close on federal holidays. American Indian Heritage Day is not a federal holiday, so banks remain open.

Private businesses in Maryland vary by industry. The D.C.-Baltimore corridor has significant federal contractor presence, meaning many businesses follow the federal holiday schedule. Healthcare systems in Baltimore operate with 4-on-4-off shift patterns and shift differential pay. Tourism businesses in Ocean City and Annapolis operate through holidays during peak summer season with seasonal employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is American Indian Heritage Day in Maryland?

American Indian Heritage Day is a Maryland state holiday observed on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Established in 2008, it replaced the generic “day after Thanksgiving” observance. State agencies, libraries, and public schools close.

Is the Maryland MVA open on Black Friday?

No, Maryland MVA offices are closed on the day after Thanksgiving (American Indian Heritage Day). This is an official state holiday in Maryland, so all state government offices close.

Do Maryland state employees get Black Friday off?

Yes, Maryland state employees receive the day after Thanksgiving off as American Indian Heritage Day, a paid state holiday since 2008. Combined with Thanksgiving, this creates a four-day weekend.

Are Maryland schools closed on American Indian Heritage Day?

Yes, Maryland public schools close on American Indian Heritage Day (the Friday after Thanksgiving). Most school districts schedule the entire Thanksgiving week as a break.

How many paid holidays do Maryland state workers get?

Maryland state employees receive 13 paid holidays in 2026, including all 11 federal holidays plus American Indian Heritage Day and an additional day during the Christmas-New Year period.

Summary

Maryland observes all 11 federal holidays plus American Indian Heritage Day in 2026, giving state employees 13 paid holidays. Government offices and schools close on designated holidays, while banks follow the federal schedule. Plan staffing around federal contractor schedules in the D.C.-Baltimore corridor and summer tourism in coastal areas.

For deeper dives, see our US Federal Holidays reference, floating holiday policies, and time off request guidelines.

Sources

• Maryland Department of Budget and Management – State Holidays 2026
• Maryland Secretary of State – State Holidays
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Federal Holidays