Public Holidays and Observances in North Carolina 2026

North Carolina state employees receive up to 12 paid holidays per year, including Good Friday and an extended Christmas break. From Charlotte’s banking district to the Research Triangle, here’s what 2026 holds for workforce planning.

What Are the Federal Holidays in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 2026?

North Carolina is one of the few states that observes Good Friday as an official paid holiday for state employees. The state also provides three days off at Christmas.

What Are the Major Observances in North Carolina?

When Do Schools and Businesses Close in North Carolina?

Government offices close on all federal holidays plus Good Friday and the day after Thanksgiving. State employees receive three days off at Christmas (December 24–26 or adjusted dates). Weekend holidays shift to the nearest weekday.

School districts across North Carolina set their own calendars. Common closures include:

• Winter Break: Typically two weeks in late December through early January
• Good Friday/Easter: April 3, 2026 (statewide for state employees; varies by district)
• Spring Break: Dates vary by district, often in March or April

Check your local school district or the NC Department of Public Instruction for specific dates.

Banks close on federal holidays but remain open on state-only holidays like Good Friday. However, some branches may have reduced hours.

Private businesses in North Carolina vary by industry. Charlotte’s banking and finance sector typically follows federal holiday schedules. Manufacturing in the Piedmont Triad follows standard holiday schedules with shift differential pay for holiday workers. Tourism and hospitality along the Outer Banks operate through holidays during peak summer season using seasonal employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Good Friday a state holiday in North Carolina?

Yes, Good Friday is an official state holiday in North Carolina. State offices close, and state employees receive paid time off. Good Friday falls on April 3, 2026.

How many days off do NC state employees get at Christmas?

North Carolina state employees receive three days off at Christmas: Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), and the day after Christmas (December 28, 2026, since December 26 falls on Saturday).

Do Research Triangle employers follow state holiday schedules?

Private employers in the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) set their own holiday schedules. Tech companies and universities often provide more generous time off, while pharmaceutical and biotech firms may operate through some holidays with shift coverage.

Are Charlotte banks open on Good Friday?

Yes, most Charlotte banks remain open on Good Friday since it is not a federal banking holiday. However, some branches may have reduced hours. State offices and many schools close.

What holidays affect Outer Banks tourism staffing?

Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day (observed July 3), and Labor Day (September 7) are peak tourism periods on the Outer Banks. Most hospitality businesses operate through these holidays with premium pay for workers.

Summary

North Carolina observes all 11 federal holidays plus Good Friday and the day after Thanksgiving in 2026. State employees also receive three days off at Christmas. Plan staffing around the extended Christmas break and Good Friday closure, especially for state-facing operations.

Learn more about US Federal Holidays, floating holiday implementation, and handling time off requests.

Sources

• NC Office of State Human Resources – Holidays
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Federal Holidays
• NC Department of Public Instruction