San Francisco Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

Tech makes its own rules, but Pride and Fleet Week still shut the city down. Here’s SF’s 2026 calendar. For statewide holidays, see our California holidays 2026 guide.

What Are the Federal Holidays in San Francisco 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. 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 Francisco city offices remain open.

What Local Events Affect San Francisco Schedules in 2026?

Specific 2026 dates for major events are typically announced in late 2025 or early 2026. Check official event websites for confirmed schedules.

• Market Street and Civic Center closures – SF Pride (June) closes major downtown routes for the parade and celebration. Expect over a million attendees and significant transit crowding.
• Waterfront congestion, air show traffic – Fleet Week (October) brings the Blue Angels, ship tours, and massive crowds to the waterfront. Expect heavy traffic along the Embarcadero and Marina.
• Chinatown and downtown events – Chinese New Year Parade (February) closes Grant Avenue and surrounding streets. Heavy foot traffic and limited Chinatown access.
• Golden Gate Park closures – Outside Lands Music Festival (August) closes sections of Golden Gate Park for multiple days. Expect Sunset District traffic and parking shortages.
• Bay to Breakers route closures – Bay to Breakers (May) closes streets from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach. Plan for limited east-west vehicle access in the morning.

When Do San Francisco Government Offices Close?

City Hall closes on federal holidays and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve usually mean reduced hours.

When Are SFUSD Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close San Francisco 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 (April)

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

How Do San Francisco Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Tech runs on its own calendar—some companies close the week between Christmas and New Year’s, others don’t observe anything. Pride (June) and Fleet Week (October) are hospitality gold rushes. The city empties out on federal holidays but fills with tourists, so retail and restaurants stay busy.

Summary

Pride weekend (late June) and Fleet Week (October) require advance staffing plans—hotels book months out. Tech companies set their own rules, so don’t assume anything. César Chávez Day closes schools but surprises employers who didn’t grow up here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do SF tech companies follow a standard holiday schedule?

No. Tech holiday policies vary wildly. Some offer unlimited PTO with no fixed holidays. Others close the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Many give floating holidays instead of observing César Chávez Day or Columbus Day. Always check your specific company’s policy—don’t assume.

How do I staff for Pride weekend in San Francisco?

Pride draws over a million people the last weekend of June. Market Street closes. Muni reroutes. Hotels sell out citywide. If you’re in hospitality, retail, or food service, it’s one of your biggest weekends—staff up 40-50%. If you’re an office, expect Friday absences as employees extend the weekend.

Does Fleet Week affect businesses outside the waterfront?

Yes. The Blue Angels draw crowds citywide, not just the Embarcadero. Workers take breaks to watch from rooftops. Traffic slows as people stop to look up. Friday is the worst for productivity. Plan for distractions Thursday through Sunday in October.

Is the week between Christmas and New Year’s slow in SF?

For tech and professional services, yes—many companies shut down entirely. For hospitality and retail, no—tourist traffic stays strong. Know your industry. If you’re B2B, expect slow response times. If you’re B2C, staff appropriately for holiday visitors.

Related Guides

• California Holidays 2026 – Statewide holiday dates and observances
• Nevada Holidays 2026 – Neighboring state holiday schedule
• Oregon Holidays 2026 – Pacific Northwest holiday schedule

Sources

• City of San Francisco – Holiday Schedule
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management – Federal Holidays
• San Francisco Unified School District – School Calendar