Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 and 2027
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 is on Monday, January 18, 2027. Also known as MLK Day.
Verified Nov 7, 2026 Source: Office of Personnel Management
Dates
All federal holidays| Year | Legal date | Observed date | Day | Long weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 19, 2026 | January 19, 2026 | Monday | Saturday to Monday |
| 2027 | January 18, 2027 | January 18, 2027 | Monday | Saturday to Monday |
Rule: Third Monday of January. A Saturday date is observed the Friday before; a Sunday date the Monday after.
About Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983 and first observed nationally in 1986. It falls on the third Monday of January, close to Dr. King’s birthday on January 15, so it always creates a three-day weekend.
Are schools closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027?
All calendarsOn January 18, 2027, 28 of the 28 districts we track are closed. “No closure listed” means the district’s official calendar shows no closure for that day; check the district page before planning around it.
| District | State | Jan 18, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Aldine ISD | Texas | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Anne Arundel County | Maryland | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Atlanta | Georgia | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Austin ISD | Texas | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Baltimore City | Maryland | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Baltimore County | Maryland | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Broward County | Florida | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Buffalo | New York | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg | North Carolina | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Chicago | Illinois | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Cleveland | Ohio | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Dallas ISD | Texas | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| DeKalb County | Georgia | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Detroit | Michigan | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Fort Worth ISD | Texas | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Fulton County | Georgia | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday |
| Gwinnett County | Georgia | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Houston ISD | Texas | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Howard County | Maryland | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Los Angeles Unified | California | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Metro Nashville | Tennessee | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Miami-Dade County | Florida | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Milwaukee | Wisconsin | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Montgomery County | Maryland | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| New York City | New York | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Palm Beach County | Florida | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| San Diego Unified | California | Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
What closes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Federal offices and courts close on the observed date.
- The Postal Service suspends regular mail delivery and closes retail counters.
- Banks generally follow the Federal Reserve and close.
- Schools follow their district calendar, which can differ from the federal schedule.
- Private employers are not required to close or give the day off.
Frequently asked questions
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 is on Monday, January 19, 2026. The rule is: third Monday of January.
When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 is on Monday, January 18, 2027. The rule is: third Monday of January.
Is Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday?
Yes. It is one of the eleven federal holidays set by 5 U.S.C. 6103. The rule is: third Monday of January. When the date falls on a Saturday the holiday is observed the Friday before, and on a Sunday the Monday after.
Are schools closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
It depends on the district: each one sets its own calendar. On January 18, 2027, 28 of the 28 districts we track are closed. The table on this page shows the status of every district, with a link to its verified calendar.
Are banks closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Most banks and credit unions follow the Federal Reserve schedule and close on the observed date. Transfers and payroll credits scheduled for that day usually move to the next business day.