San Jose 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 Jose. 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 Jose 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 Jose city offices remain open.

What Local Events Affect San Jose Schedules in 2026?

Downtown street closures – Cinco de Mayo Festival (May) closes streets around downtown San Jose. Heavy foot traffic and parking congestion.
Plaza de César Chávez events – San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (August) closes downtown streets for multiple days. Expect traffic disruption and increased hospitality demand.
Downtown and SAP Center congestion – Sharks games and SAP Center concerts create periodic traffic surges. Major events compound with holidays.
Lunar New Year celebrations – Japantown and downtown areas see increased foot traffic and some street closures (February).
Christmas in the Park – Plaza de César Chávez (November–December) draws crowds throughout the holiday season. Expect downtown congestion.

When Do San Jose 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.

Santa Clara County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are SJUSD Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close San Jose 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 SJUSD calendar releases in early 2026. Confirm specific dates then.

How Do San Jose Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, tech, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. Tech company holiday schedules vary widely—confirm with HR. Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests throughout the South Bay.

Staff accordingly. Build coverage plans around these dates.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices; César Chávez Day and Lincoln’s Birthday close schools—dates many employers overlook; downtown festivals create periodic traffic disruption. Tech company schedules vary, so confirm closures with individual employers.

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 Jose 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. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is VTA running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

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

Do tech companies in San Jose have to follow federal holidays?

No. Tech companies set their own holiday schedules. Many observe federal holidays plus company-specific days. Some offer flexible PTO instead of fixed holidays. Confirm your schedule with HR—it varies widely across Silicon Valley employers.

Do private employers in San Jose 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 SJUSD schools close. Many tech companies offer floating holidays or flexible time off instead.