The quickest way to know if Friday is a bank holiday

The only reliable way to know whether this Friday is a bank holiday is to check the current year's federal holiday calendar. The U.S. observes 11 federal holidays each year, but the specific dates change annually — for instance, Thanksgiving falls on a different date every November, and some holidays shift when they land on a weekend.

Go to opm.gov/holidays (the Office of Personnel Management website) and look at the current year's list. That page shows every federal holiday, which day of the week it falls on, and whether federal offices will be closed. If your Friday appears on that list, it is a federal holiday.

If you need to know whether your bank specifically will be closed, call your bank directly or check their website — some banks stay open on certain federal holidays, and a few observe holidays that the federal government does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal holidays change dates each year, so you cannot assume Friday is a holiday based on last year's calendar.
  • The Office of Personnel Management publishes the official federal holiday list at opm.gov/holidays for each year.
  • Banks may close on federal holidays, but some remain open, so confirm with your specific bank rather than assuming.
  • If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the observed holiday typically moves to the nearest weekday, which affects when banks close.

The 11 federal holidays and when they occur

The federal holidays are: New Year's Day (January 1), Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January), Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

Most of these fall on the same calendar date each year, but several are tied to a specific day of the week — the third Monday, the last Monday, the first Monday, and so on. That is why the date shifts from year to year. For example, Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May, so it could fall anywhere from May 25 to May 31 depending on the year.

When a federal holiday lands on a Saturday, the observed holiday is usually Friday of that week. When it lands on a Sunday, the observed holiday is usually Monday. This means the day banks close may not match the actual holiday date.

Why your bank might close on a day that is not a federal holiday

Some banks observe holidays that the federal government does not. For example, a few banks close on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), even though it is not a federal holiday. Others may close on days tied to their state or region — a bank in Massachusetts might close on Evacuation Day (March 17), which is a state holiday there.

The best approach is to check your bank's holiday schedule directly. Most banks publish this on their website under "Hours" or "Holiday Hours." You can also call the branch you use and ask whether they will be open on Friday.

What happens if you need to do banking on a holiday

If Friday is a bank holiday and you need to deposit a check or withdraw cash, you have several options. ATMs and mobile banking apps work on holidays — you can deposit checks through your bank's app or withdraw money from an ATM even if the branch is closed.

If you need to speak to someone at the bank, you will have to wait until the next business day. Transfers and payments you submit on a holiday typically process the next business day anyway, so timing your transaction for Friday versus Monday usually does not change when the money moves.

How to find the holiday schedule for next year

The Office of Personnel Management publishes federal holiday calendars for the next several years on opm.gov. You can bookmark that page and check it whenever you need to know whether a specific date is a federal holiday. The calendar shows the date, the day of the week, and whether federal offices will be closed.

If you work for a federal agency, your employer may also send out a holiday schedule at the start of each year. If you work in banking or retail, your employer will post their specific holiday schedule — which may differ from the federal list — somewhere accessible to employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all banks close on federal holidays?

Most banks close on federal holidays, but not all. Some banks stay open on certain federal holidays, particularly in areas with high customer demand. Call your bank or check their website to confirm whether they will be open on the specific Friday you are asking about.

If a holiday falls on Saturday, is Friday a bank holiday?

Usually yes. When a federal holiday lands on Saturday, most banks observe the holiday on Friday instead. When a holiday lands on Sunday, banks typically observe it on Monday. Check your bank's specific policy to be certain.

Can I use my debit card or ATM on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs and debit cards work on bank holidays. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and deposit checks through your bank's mobile app or ATM even if the branch is closed. Transactions typically process the next business day.

What if my bank is open but the federal government is closed?

This can happen. Some banks stay open on federal holidays, and some federal offices close on days that are not federal holidays. Your bank's holiday schedule is separate from the government's. Check with your bank directly about their hours.