Nashville Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

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

What Are the Federal Holidays in Nashville 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.

Tennessee substitutes Columbus Day for the day after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026). State employees get the Friday after Thanksgiving off instead of Columbus Day. Federal offices still close on Columbus Day.

What Local Events Affect Nashville Schedules in 2026?

Downtown and Lower Broadway closures – CMA Fest (June) shuts down multiple streets around Nissan Stadium and the downtown entertainment district. Expect 4 days of major traffic disruption.
July 4th celebrations – Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing! celebration draws hundreds of thousands downtown. Lower Broadway and riverfront areas close for the event.
Downtown street closures – Nashville Pride (June) affects downtown access. Church Street and surrounding areas close for the parade and festival.
Music City Marathon – The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon (April) closes streets throughout downtown and midtown. Plan for several hours of limited access.
NFL game days – Tennessee Titans home games at Nissan Stadium create heavy traffic on the east bank. Plan alternate routes.

When Do Nashville Government Offices Close?

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

Davidson County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are MNPS Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Metro Nashville Public 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/April)

MNPS typically releases the official calendar in spring. Check the district website for the approved 2026–2027 schedule.

How Do Nashville Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. The tourism and entertainment industry operates year-round. CMA Fest week and July 4th create exceptional demand for hospitality staff.

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; CMA Fest and July 4th create major downtown traffic disruption.

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 Nashville 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 WeGo Public Transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

WeGo Public Transit runs on a reduced holiday schedule on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25). Some routes may not operate. Check the WeGo website for specific route information.

How does CMA Fest affect downtown Nashville traffic?

CMA Fest (June 2026) closes multiple downtown streets around Nissan Stadium and Lower Broadway. Expect major traffic congestion and limited parking for 4 days. Plan alternate routes and extended commute times.

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.

Does Broadway stay open on holidays?

Yes. Lower Broadway’s honky-tonks and entertainment venues operate 365 days a year, often with extended hours on holidays. New Year’s Eve, July 4th, and CMA Fest are among the busiest periods. Hospitality workers should expect to work major holidays.