Memphis Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

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

What Are the Federal Holidays in Memphis 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 Tennessee Observe?

Tennessee observes Good Friday (April 3, 2026) as a state holiday. State offices close; many county offices follow. This is a date employers often overlook for staffing.

What Local Events Affect Memphis Schedules in 2026?

Tom Lee Park and downtown closures – Memphis in May events including the Beale Street Music Festival (early May) and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (mid-May) close significant portions of the riverfront and downtown. Expect major traffic disruption.
Beale Street events – Various festivals and events affect access to the entertainment district throughout the year. New Year’s Eve on Beale draws large crowds.
Elvis Week – Mid-August celebrations at Graceland create traffic in the Whitehaven area and increased hotel demand citywide.
Liberty Bowl – The AutoZone Liberty Bowl (late December) brings fans to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Plan for localized traffic.
FedExForum events – Grizzlies NBA games and concerts create downtown traffic. Plan alternate routes on event nights.

When Do Memphis Government Offices Close?

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

Shelby County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are MSCS Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Good Friday (April 3)
Fall break (October)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (March)

Memphis-Shelby County Schools typically approves the calendar by spring. Watch for the finalized 2026–2027 schedule on the district website.

How Do Memphis Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. Memphis in May and Elvis Week create peak tourism demand requiring increased hospitality staffing.

Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests. Staff accordingly. Build coverage plans around these dates.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; Good Friday closes state offices and schools; Memphis in May events create major downtown traffic disruption throughout May.

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 Memphis holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on Tennessee state holidays like Good Friday. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is MATA transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

MATA (Memphis Area Transit Authority) runs on reduced holiday schedules on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25). Some routes may not operate. Check MATA for specific route information.

How does Memphis in May affect downtown traffic?

Memphis in May (May 2026) is a month-long celebration with multiple events. The Beale Street Music Festival and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest close areas of Tom Lee Park and downtown. Expect significant traffic disruption on event weekends.

Do private employers in Tennessee have to give time off for Good Friday?

No. Good Friday is a Tennessee state holiday, but private employers are not required to close. State offices close. Most private employers stay open.

What is Elvis Week and how does it affect Memphis?

Elvis Week (mid-August 2026, around Elvis’s death anniversary on August 16) draws thousands of fans to Graceland. The Whitehaven area sees heavy traffic, and hotels throughout Memphis book up. Hospitality businesses should staff accordingly; employers near Graceland should expect traffic delays.