Raleigh Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures
Raleigh holidays 2026: federal holidays, North Carolina state holidays, plus local observances like the State Fair, college events, and school closures that affect schedules.
This guide covers the 2026 dates that close schools, shut city offices, disrupt transit, or require adjusted staffing in Raleigh. Use it to plan schedules and time-off requests. For statewide holidays, see our North Carolina holidays 2026 guide.
What Are the Federal Holidays in Raleigh 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 North Carolina Observe?
North Carolina observes Good Friday (April 3, 2026) as a state holiday. State offices close. The day after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026) is also a state holiday.
As North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh is significantly impacted by state government closures.
What Local Events Affect Raleigh Schedules in 2026?
- NC State Fairgrounds traffic – The North Carolina State Fair (October) runs for 11 days and draws over 1 million visitors. Expect severe traffic on I-440, Blue Ridge Road, and Hillsborough Street.
- NC State University events – Wolfpack football games at Carter-Finley Stadium and basketball games at PNC Arena create traffic on game days. Graduation ceremonies affect campus area traffic.
- Downtown events – Hopscotch Music Festival (September) and Raleigh Winterfest affect downtown access.
- PNC Arena events – Carolina Hurricanes NHL games (October–April, potentially into June) and concerts create traffic near the fairgrounds area.
- Artsplosure – This spring arts festival (May) closes downtown Fayetteville Street.
When Do Raleigh Government Offices Close?
City of Raleigh offices close on all federal holidays, Good Friday, and the day after Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve often has reduced hours.
Wake County offices follow a similar schedule. State offices observe additional North Carolina holidays.
When Are WCPSS Schools Closed in 2026?
These dates close Wake County Public School System. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:
- All federal holidays
- Good Friday (April 3)
- Day after Thanksgiving (November 27)
- Fall break (October—often coincides with State Fair)
- Winter break (late December through early January)
- Spring break (April)
Wake County Public School System adopts the calendar each spring. Check WCPSS for the finalized 2026–2027 dates, especially fall break timing around the State Fair.
How Do Raleigh Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?
Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. The Research Triangle’s tech industry generally observes federal holidays with additional company-specific closures around Christmas and New Year’s.
The State Fair creates peak hospitality demand in October. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests.
Summary
The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; Good Friday and day after Thanksgiving close state offices; the NC State Fair creates 11 days of October traffic congestion; NC State games affect gameday traffic.
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 Raleigh holidays in 2026?
Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on North Carolina state holidays like Good Friday. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.
Is GoRaleigh transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?
GoRaleigh runs reduced service (Sunday schedule) on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some routes may not operate. GoRaleigh Access does not operate on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Check GoRaleigh for specific route information.
How does the NC State Fair affect Raleigh traffic?
The North Carolina State Fair (October 2026) runs for 11 days at the NC State Fairgrounds. Expect heavy traffic on I-440, Blue Ridge Road, and Hillsborough Street. This is Raleigh’s largest annual event, drawing over 1 million visitors. Many schools schedule field trips during the fair.
Does North Carolina observe Good Friday as a holiday?
Yes. Good Friday (April 3, 2026) is a North Carolina state holiday. State offices close. Many county offices and some school districts also observe it. Federal offices and banks remain open.
How does the Research Triangle affect holiday patterns?
The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) has a large tech and biotech workforce. Many tech companies offer generous PTO and flexible holiday schedules, sometimes closing between Christmas and New Year’s. This creates a quieter period than in cities with more traditional employers.
Related Guides
- North Carolina Holidays 2026 – Statewide holiday dates and observances
- Atlanta Holidays 2026 – Nearby metro holiday schedule
- Baltimore Holidays 2026 – Compare East Coast metro holiday schedules
