Sacramento Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

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

What Are the Federal Holidays in Sacramento 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. State government offices observe additional holidays.

What State Holidays Does California Observe?

California observes Cesar Chavez Day (March 31, 2026) as a state holiday. State offices close. As California’s capital, Sacramento is significantly impacted by state government closures.

California also observes the day after Thanksgiving (November 27, 2026) as a state holiday.

What Local Events Affect Sacramento Schedules in 2026?

Cal Expo traffic – The California State Fair (July) runs for about 3 weeks. Expect heavy traffic on Business 80 and Exposition Boulevard. This is Sacramento’s largest annual event.
Downtown DOCO traffic – Sacramento Kings NBA games at Golden 1 Center create downtown traffic from October through April. Concerts and other events at the arena have similar impact.
Capitol events – Legislative sessions and political events can affect downtown parking and traffic. Major protests or rallies close Capitol Mall.
Sacramento Pride – June events affect Midtown and Capitol area access.
Farm-to-Fork Festival – September events close Capitol Mall for the Tower Bridge Dinner and related activities.

When Do Sacramento Government Offices Close?

City of Sacramento offices close on all federal holidays, Cesar Chavez Day, and the day after Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve often has reduced hours.

Sacramento County offices follow a similar schedule. State offices observe additional holidays and may have different closure patterns.

When Are SCUSD Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Sacramento City Unified School District. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Cesar Chavez Day (March 31)
Day after Thanksgiving (November 27)
Fall break (November)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (April)

Sacramento City Unified finalizes the calendar in spring. Watch the district website for the confirmed 2026–2027 dates.

How Do Sacramento Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. State government is a major employer—state holidays have an outsized impact on Sacramento compared to other California cities.

The State Fair creates peak hospitality and retail demand in July. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; state holidays (Cesar Chavez Day, day after Thanksgiving) have major impact due to state government workforce; the California State Fair creates July traffic; Kings games affect downtown access.

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 Sacramento holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on California state holidays like Cesar Chavez Day. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is SacRT transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

SacRT (Sacramento Regional Transit) runs on reduced holiday schedules on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25). Light rail and bus routes operate less frequently. Check SacRT for specific route schedules.

How does the California State Fair affect Sacramento traffic?

The California State Fair (July 2026) runs for about 3 weeks at Cal Expo. Expect heavy traffic on Business 80 and Exposition Boulevard. This is one of the largest events in Sacramento each year.

How do state government closures affect Sacramento?

Sacramento is California’s capital, so state government is a major employer. State holidays like Cesar Chavez Day (March 31) and the day after Thanksgiving have a bigger impact here than in other California cities. Plan for reduced traffic and parking demand downtown on state holidays.

Does the California State Legislature affect Sacramento schedules?

Yes. When the legislature is in session (typically January through September), downtown traffic and restaurant demand increase significantly. Major legislative deadlines create parking and traffic congestion near the Capitol. Lobbyists, visitors, and support staff add to the workforce during session.