Is Presidents Day a Federal Holiday? Everything You Need to Know for 2026

Is Presidents Day a Federal Holiday? A 2026 Guide

Presidents Day is a cherished holiday celebrating the Founding Fathers of the United States, with a particular focus on George Washington, our nation’s first president. Born on February 22nd, 1732, his birthday is honored annually on the third Monday of February. In 2026, that falls on February 16th.

What to Expect: Closures and Service Changes

Presidents Day typically brings closures and adjustments to various services. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area:

Banks: Most major banks will be closed, though individual branches may have varying hours.
Government Offices: DMV locations in D.C. and Virginia, as well as Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration offices, will be closed.
Postal Service: Mail delivery will be suspended, and post office locations will be closed.
Shipping & Delivery: FedEx and UPS will be operational, though FedEx may have slightly modified services.

Transportation Updates for Presidents Day 2026

Navigating the region on Presidents Day requires knowing the transportation schedule:

Metrorail: Will operate on a weekend schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Metrobus: Will run on a Saturday plus supplemental schedule.
Ride On (Montgomery County): Operating on a holiday schedule.
TheBus (Prince George’s County): Operating on a regular schedule, except for Route P78. Call-A-Bus and PGC Link will not operate.
MARC Trains (Maryland): Operating on an “R” schedule with adjustments. Check MARC’s website for details.
Local Buses: Schedules vary by county. See details below.

Parking Regulations on Presidents Day

Good news for drivers! Parking enforcement will be relaxed in several areas:

Washington D.C.: Parking meters will not need to be fed on Monday, with enforcement resuming on Tuesday.
Montgomery County: Free parking will be available at garages, lots, and curbside meters.
Arlington, VA: Parking enforcement for meters will be suspended.
HOV Lanes: HOV rules will be lifted on most lanes, except Route 50 and Interstate 270 in Maryland.

County-Specific Information

Anne Arundel County: County offices, landfills, and recycling centers closed; trash collection continues as normal.
Charles County: All county government offices closed; some recreational centers open.
Howard County: Government offices, centers, and animal shelters closed; trash collection and landfill open.
Montgomery County: County and state offices, libraries closed; trash collection delayed by one day.
Prince George’s County: County offices closed; regular trash collection Tuesday-Friday.
Arlington: Many county offices and libraries closed; trash collection continues.
Alexandria City: City offices closed; trash collection delayed by one day.
Fairfax County: County offices closed; trash and recycling on a normal schedule.
Loudoun County: County offices closed.
Prince William County: Presidents Day is not a county holiday.

Other Services

Libraries (D.C.): A library in each ward will be open.
Trash & Recycling: Originally scheduled for a one-day delay, trash and recycling collection has been moved back to its normal schedule.
Emergency Shelters: Emergency and hypothermia shelters will remain open.
Parks & Recreation: Recreation, community, and aquatic centers will be closed, but outdoor parks will remain open.

Stay informed and plan accordingly to make the most of Presidents Day 2026!

Source: WTOP