Arkansas state holidays 2026
The Arkansas state holidays for 2026 give Arkansas state employees 10 days off, starting with New Year's Day on . A holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed the Friday before; one that falls on a Sunday is observed the following Monday.
Last verified: October 16, 2026Sources & methodologyFound an error? Tell us
| Holiday | Date | Day off | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Memorial Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Independence Day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | ||
| Labor Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Veterans Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Thanksgiving Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Christmas Eve | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed | |
| Christmas Day | Same day | Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101official | computed |
How Arkansas sets its holidays
These are the days off for Arkansas state government employees (executive branch). They come from Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101; OPM Policy 52. Private employers, banks and schools in Arkansas may follow their own schedules.
Weekend rule
A holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed the Friday before; one that falls on a Sunday is observed the following Monday.
Some Arkansas holidays follow their own weekend rule:
- Christmas Day: on a Saturday: the following Monday; on a Sunday: the following Monday.
In 2026, one holiday is observed on a different day because of the weekend: Independence Day.
Compared with the federal calendar
Arkansas adds a holiday that the federal calendar does not have: Christmas Eve.
It does not list these federal holidays: Juneteenth National Independence Day and Columbus Day. State offices are open on those days unless another rule applies.
Listed under a Arkansas name: Presidents' Day as “George Washington's Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day”.
Employees also get their birthday as a floating holiday (offices stay open).
Sources
- Ark. Code Ann. § 1-5-101 (holidays)secondary copyunofficial reproduction (Justia)
- Arkansas OPM Policy 52, Holidays and Birthday Leaveofficial
Every date above is labeled official (confirmed on Arkansas's own calendar for that year), computed (calculated from statute or written policy) or projected (based on recent official lists). How we check each source: Sources & methodology. Banks in Arkansas follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, not the state calendar.
More for Arkansas
- Arkansas holidays 2027
- Is today a business day in Arkansas?
- Days until the next Arkansas holiday
- US federal holidays 2026
- Bank holidays 2026
- Business days calculator
- Arizona holidays 2026
- California holidays 2026
- All states
Frequently asked questions
How many paid holidays do Arkansas state employees get in 2026?
10 holidays with a day off.
Is Juneteenth National Independence Day a holiday in Arkansas?
Not for Arkansas state offices. Arkansas's state calendar does not list Juneteenth National Independence Day, so Arkansas state offices are open on Friday, June 19, 2026 unless another rule applies. Federal offices are closed that day.
What happens when a Arkansas holiday falls on a weekend?
A holiday that falls on a Saturday is observed the Friday before; one that falls on a Sunday is observed the following Monday. One holiday has their own rule: Christmas Day.
Are Arkansas bank holidays the same as state holidays?
No. Banks in Arkansas follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule, which closes on 10 days in 2026 and does not move Saturday holidays. See the bank holidays 2026 page.