San Diego Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

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

What Are the Federal Holidays in San Diego 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 California Observe?

California observes César Chávez Day (March 31, 2026) as a state holiday. State offices close; some local government offices and schools follow. Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12) is an optional state holiday observed by some government offices.

California does not observe Columbus Day as a state holiday. San Diego city offices remain open.

What Local Events Affect San Diego Schedules in 2026?

Downtown and Gaslamp congestion for 4+ days – San Diego Comic-Con (July) overwhelms the Convention Center and surrounding areas. Expect extreme traffic, full hotels, and high hospitality demand.
Harbor and downtown closures – Big Bay Boom (July 4) fireworks draw massive crowds to the waterfront. Plan for street closures and heavy traffic.
Balboa Park traffic – December Nights (early December) closes roads around Balboa Park. Heavy foot traffic and parking shortages.
Pride weekend closures – San Diego Pride (July) closes Hillcrest streets for the parade and festival. Expect traffic disruption.
Marathon route closures – Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon (June) closes streets through downtown, Balboa Park, and surrounding neighborhoods.

When Do San Diego Government Offices Close?

City offices close on all federal holidays. The day after Thanksgiving is typically a closure. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve often have reduced hours.

San Diego County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are SDUSD Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close San Diego Unified School District schools. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
César Chávez Day (March 31)
Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (March/April)

The official 2026–2027 SDUSD calendar releases in early 2026. Confirm specific dates then.

How Do San Diego Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, tourism, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. Comic-Con creates extreme staffing demand for hospitality and service industries—plan weeks in advance. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests.

Staff accordingly. Build extra coverage for Comic-Con week.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; Comic-Con overwhelms downtown for 4+ days in July; the Big Bay Boom creates July 4th traffic chaos. César Chávez Day and Lincoln’s Birthday close schools—dates many employers overlook.

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 San Diego holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. They remain open on César Chávez Day (March 31) since it is a state holiday, not federal. They also remain open during Comic-Con. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is San Diego MTS running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

Yes. MTS buses and Trolley run on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25), but with reduced Sunday/holiday schedules. Expect longer wait times.

How long do Comic-Con street closures last?

Comic-Con runs for 4+ days (July 22–26, 2026). The Gaslamp Quarter and Convention Center area experience extreme congestion from Wednesday through Sunday. Hotel rates spike and traffic disruption extends well beyond the venue.

Do private employers in San Diego have to give time off for César Chávez Day?

No. César Chávez Day is a California state holiday, but private employers are not required to close. State offices and SDUSD schools close. Many employers offer floating holidays or flexible time off instead.