When is Presidents Day 2026?: Complete Guide for College Students

Presidents Day 2026 falls on Monday, February 16, 2026. This federal holiday is officially known as Washington’s Birthday and is observed annually on the third Monday in February.

For college students across the United States, this means most universities will have no classes, campus facilities may operate on modified schedules, and many students plan long weekend activities or travel during this time.

The shift to Monday was established through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, passed by Congress in 1968.

This legislation moved Washington’s Birthday from its original date of February 22 to the third Monday of February, creating consistent three-day weekends for workers and students nationwide starting in 1971.

Presidents’ Day 2026 is officially recognized as a federal holiday. While the legal name remains Washington’s Birthday, most states and educational institutions refer to it as Presidents’ Day.

For college students, this typically means:

• University administrative offices operate on holiday schedules or close entirely
• Academic classes are canceled
• Many campus facilities, including libraries, dining services, and recreation centers, may have modified hours
• Residential halls remain open for students staying on campus
• Career services, counseling, and emergency services typically maintain normal operations

Which Universities Close on Presidents’ Day 2026?

Across 100 major universities surveyed for Presidents Day 2026, all institutions listed the holiday on their academic calendars.

Here’s what major universities are observing:

Here’s the complete table with all 100 colleges and universities observing Presidents Day 2026:

Presidents’ Day 2026 is universally observed across American higher education.

Whether you attend a large public state university, an elite private institution, a liberal arts college, or a community college, you can expect no classes on Monday, February 16, 2026.

This represents one of the most consistently observed holidays in the U.S. academic calendar, second only to major holidays like Thanksgiving and winter break.

Presidents Day 2026 Schedule Impact on Major School Districts

For college-bound students and those living near major metropolitan areas, here’s how local school districts are handling the holiday:

Here’s the complete table with all 40 major U.S. school districts and their Presidents Day 2026 observance:

Every major school district in America observes Presidents’ Day 2026. Whether your district calls it Presidents’ Day, Presidents Day, President’s Day, or Washington’s Birthday, you can count on Monday, February 16, 2026, being a school holiday.

These patterns help college students understand when younger siblings, nieces, nephews, or friends attending K–12 schools will also be off from school, making it an ideal time for family gatherings.

K–12 districts handle Presidents Day in several ways. Some mark it as a straight student holiday (schools closed), others place it inside a mid-winter recess, and some use that day or an adjacent day as a teacher workday/professional development day (students off; staff report).

• Schools closed = students off; typical federal holiday observance.
• Mid-winter recess (schools closed) = part of a short multi-day break that includes Presidents Day.
• Schools closed — staff PD / teacher workday nearby = students off on Presidents Day, but the district schedules a professional/teacher day on the same week (sometimes the day after or later in the week).
• Variable / site-dependent = district-wide policy, but some schools/programs have exceptions (check school-level calendar).

Why Is Presidents Day in February? Understanding the History

Presidents’ Day 2026 continues a tradition dating back to the founding of the United States.

The holiday originally commemorated George Washington’s birthday, which falls on February 22, 1732.

Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, 1809, is also honored during this period, and the modern observance has evolved to recognize all U.S. presidents.

The timing shifted to mid-February following the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. Congress implemented this change starting in 1971 to accomplish three objectives:

Creating Three-Day Weekends: Moving Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February guaranteed a long weekend. This benefits college students who can plan travel or extended study breaks around Presidents Day 2026.

Standardized Scheduling: A fixed Monday date allows universities, employers, and government agencies to plan operations consistently year after year. Colleges can build their academic calendars knowing Presidents Day 2026 will always fall on Monday, February 16.

Historical Recognition: The mid-February timing allows the nation to recognize both Washington (February 22) and Lincoln (February 12), even though Presidents Day 2026 itself is observed on Monday, February 16.

Some states still officially call it Washington’s Birthday, while others use Presidents’ Day or combine both names.

Short History Timeline

1800s — Early celebrations: Americans began celebrating George Washington’s birthday shortly after he died in 1799. By the mid-1800s, February 22 was widely observed, though not yet a federal holiday.

1879 — Federal recognition: Congress made Washington’s Birthday an official federal holiday for government workers in the District of Columbia.

1885 — Nationwide expansion: The holiday expanded to federal workers across the entire country.

1968 — Uniform Monday Holiday Act: Congress passed legislation moving several holidays to Mondays to create three-day weekends. The law moved Washington’s Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February.

1971 — First Monday observance: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect. Washington’s Birthday was now observed on the third Monday in February, which always falls between February 15 and February 21.

1971–present — Popular renaming: Although the federal government never officially changed the name, most Americans and many state governments began calling it Presidents Day to honor both Washington and Lincoln, plus all U.S. presidents.

Why the Third Monday in February?

Congress chose Monday holidays to benefit workers and families with consistent long weekends. The third Monday in February keeps the observance close to George Washington’s actual birthday (February 22) while never landing on the exact date.

Key insight: The federal holiday is still legally named “Washington’s Birthday” in U.S. law, but you’ll rarely hear anyone call it that outside government documents.

What’s Open and Closed on Presidents Day 2026?

College students planning their long weekend need to know what services remain available:

Definitely Closed

• Federal government offices — All federal buildings, agencies, and services
• U.S. Postal Service — No mail delivery (post offices closed)
• Most banks — National and regional banks typically close for federal holidays
• Stock markets — NYSE and NASDAQ closed
• Most K-12 public schools — See district calendars
• All major colleges and universities — No classes nationwide
• Many state and local government offices — Varies by state

Check Locally

• Private businesses — Most remain open (retail, restaurants, grocery stores)
• Public transportation — May run on reduced Sunday/holiday schedules
• Libraries — Public libraries often close or reduce hours
• Some banks, Credit unions, and small local banks may have different schedules

Typically Open

• Retail stores and shopping centers
• Restaurants and food establishments
• Gas stations and convenience stores
• Hospitals and emergency services
• University residential halls
• Campus emergency services

Variable Hours

• University libraries (check your institution’s specific schedule)
• Campus dining facilities (may operate on limited schedules)
• Recreation and fitness centers
• Career services and academic support

Typical campus status

• No classes scheduled
• Most administrative offices are closed
• Libraries may operate on reduced hours
• Campus dining facilities are often closed or offer limited service
• Residence halls remain open

Planning Your Presidents’ Day 2026 Weekend

Travel and Adventure

Presidents’ Day 2026 creates a three-day weekend from Saturday, February 14, through Monday, February 16. Many colleges dismiss classes on Friday, February 13, extending the break to four days.

Popular travel destinations see increased crowds during this period. College students frequently use Presidents Day 2026 to:

• Visit home over the long weekend
• Take short trips to nearby states
• Explore national parks and outdoor destinations
• Visit family and friends attending other universities

On-Campus Celebrations

Universities often schedule special events around Presidents’ Day 2026, including:

• Historical lectures on U.S. presidents and political history
• Student organization activities and social events
• Themed movie nights or game tournaments
• Virtual events for students studying remotely

Academic and Professional Development

Some students use Presidents Day 2026 for:

• Catching up on coursework and assignments
• Preparing for midterm examinations
• Attending professional development workshops
• Conducting a research project work

State-by-State Guide: Different Names, Same Holiday

While Presidents Day 2026 is universally observed on Monday, February 16, across the United States, individual states use different official names.

This matters for college students working with local government, businesses, or conducting research:

States Using “Presidents Day”: Most states and the federal government recognize this term for the Monday, February 16, observance.

States Using “Washington’s Birthday”: The official federal name, used in some state government documents and older institutional records.

States Recognizing Both Names: Some states, particularly in the South and West, officially recognize both “Washington’s Birthday” and “Presidents Day” or combine them as “Washington’s Birthday/Presidents Day.”

Regional Naming Variations

While the federal government officially calls it Washington’s Birthday, states and school districts use different names:

• Presidents’ Day — Most common in California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois
• Presidents Day — Used by many school calendars (no apostrophe)
• Washington’s Birthday / Presidents’ Day — Fairfax County, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland
• President’s Day — Alternate spelling in some districts

Bottom line for students: Regardless of what your local calendar calls it, Monday, February 16, 2026, means no school across the country.

For college students working on projects, research papers, or government internships, understanding that these naming variations exist prevents confusion when reviewing historical documents or state records.

The Difference Between “Presidents Day” and “Washington’s Birthday”

While these terms are used interchangeably for the Monday, February 16 observance in 2026, understanding the distinction helps college students in history courses, political science classes, and research projects:

Washington’s Birthday: The official federal name, recognizing February 22, 1732, the birth date of George Washington, the first U.S. president. Officially, the federal holiday is still called Washington’s Birthday, though it’s observed on Monday, February 16.

Presidents’ Day: An informal name that emerged over time to honor all U.S. presidents, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. While not the official federal name, most Americans and institutions use “Presidents Day” or “Presidents’ Day.”

Historical Significance: Recognizing both names acknowledges the holiday’s dual purpose—honoring Washington specifically through the federal designation while celebrating presidential leadership more broadly through the modern “Presidents Day” terminology.

For college students writing essays, taking exams, or conducting research on U.S. holidays, knowing that both names refer to the same Monday, February 16, 2026 observance prevents confusion and demonstrates historical accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Making the Most of Presidents Day 2026

Mark your calendar: Monday, February 16, 2026 is Presidents Day — schools close nationwide for a three-day weekend.

Universal observance: Whether you’re in elementary school, high school, or college, you’ll have the day off. All 100 major universities and all 40 largest K-12 districts close for the holiday.

Educational opportunity: Use the long weekend to learn about American presidents, complete class projects, or visit historical sites. Teachers often assign activities related to Washington, Lincoln, and presidential leadership.

Plan ahead: Federal offices, most banks, and post offices close Monday. If you need government services or banking, handle them before the weekend or wait until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Regional differences: While the holiday date is uniform nationwide, some schools extend it into a full mid-winter break while others observe just Monday. Check your specific school calendar.

Presidents Day 2026 offers students a welcome break in the middle of the spring semester and a chance to reflect on American leadership, democratic values, and the presidents who shaped our nation’s history.

Whether you spend Monday studying for Tuesday’s classes, working on a history project, or simply enjoying time with family, make the most of this important American observance.