Orlando Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

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

What Are the Federal Holidays in Orlando for 2026?

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. Theme parks and hospitality businesses remain open year-round.

What State Holidays Does Florida Observe?

Florida observes the day after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026) as an official state holiday. State offices close.

Note: Florida state offices do not close for Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day, or Juneteenth—only federal offices close on those days.

What Local Events Affect Orlando Schedules in 2026?

• Theme park peak seasons – Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld operate 365 days a year. Peak periods include Thanksgiving week, Christmas through New Year’s, spring break, and summer. I-4 experiences severe congestion during these periods.
• Convention Center events – Major conventions throughout the year create hotel demand and I-Drive traffic. Check the OCCC calendar for large events.
• College football – The Citrus Bowl and other bowl games (late December–early January) bring fans to Camping World Stadium.
• Florida Classic – The annual FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman game (November) creates traffic near Camping World Stadium and increased hotel demand.
• Halloween Horror Nights – Universal’s annual event (September–October) increases evening traffic on I-4 and Universal Boulevard.

When Do Orlando Government Offices Close?

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

Orange County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are OCPS Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Orange County Public Schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

• All federal holidays
• Day after Thanksgiving (November 27)
• Winter break (late December through early January)
• Spring break (March)
• Various teacher planning days

Orange County Public Schools adopts the calendar each spring. Spring break timing is particularly important for theme park staffing—check OCPS for the confirmed 2026–2027 schedule.

How Do Orlando Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Orlando’s economy is dominated by tourism. Theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and attractions operate 365 days a year with no holiday closures. Federal holidays and school breaks are peak periods requiring maximum staffing.

The inverse is also true—staffing can be challenging during non-peak “value” seasons when many workers take vacation. Healthcare and other non-tourism businesses follow more traditional holiday patterns.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices but are peak tourism periods; Thanksgiving week, Christmas through New Year’s, and spring break are maximum staffing periods for hospitality; I-4 traffic is worst during peak theme park seasons.

Use this list to build shift schedules, approve time-off requests, and plan for year-round tourism demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks and post offices open on Orlando holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is LYNX transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

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

How do theme park peak seasons affect Orlando traffic and staffing?

Orlando’s theme parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) operate 365 days a year. Peak seasons include Thanksgiving week, Christmas through New Year’s, spring break (March–April), and summer. I-4 traffic is heaviest during these periods. Hospitality employers require maximum staffing year-round with peaks during holidays.

How do conventions affect Orlando?

The Orange County Convention Center is one of the largest in the country. Major conventions create hotel demand and I-Drive traffic. Check the convention calendar when planning—some weeks have multiple large events simultaneously.

Do theme park workers get holidays off?

No. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld operate every day of the year including all holidays. Cast members and team members typically work holidays, often with premium pay. Peak holiday periods (Thanksgiving week, Christmas–New Year’s) require maximum staffing.

Related Guides

• Florida Holidays 2026 – Statewide holiday dates and observances
• Tampa Holidays 2026 – Compare Florida metro holiday schedules
• Miami Holidays 2026 – Compare Florida metro holiday schedules

Sources

• City of Orlando – Government Services
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management – 2026 Federal Holidays
• Orange County Public Schools – Academic Calendar
• LYNX – Central Florida Transit