When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2026?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is always observed on the third Monday of January. In 2026, the third Monday falls on January 19, 2026¹².

Key details

• Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
• Day of week: Monday
• Why this date? The holiday commemorates Dr. King’s birthday (January 15) while providing a consistent, Monday‑based observance established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act¹.
• Observances: Federal offices, schools, and many businesses close; many communities hold service projects, reflections, and civil‑rights events.

Sources confirming the date

• Timeanddate.com lists the holiday on January 19, 2026¹.
• Collegesavings.org, Cedarville University, and Langston University all schedule the holiday for January 19, 2026²³⁹.
• State and local calendars (e.g., Tippecanoe County) also show the holiday on January 19¹⁰.

Notable outlier

One source (awarenessdays.com) incorrectly lists January 20, 2026, and another (Wikipedia) mistakenly cites February 16. These entries conflict with the overwhelming majority of official and institutional calendars and are considered errors⁷⁸.

Practical implications

• Federal employees receive a paid holiday.
• Schools typically close or have no classes.
• Businesses often close or operate on reduced hours.
• Many organizations promote a National Day of Service, encouraging volunteerism.

Bottom line

If you are planning events, travel, or need to know when offices will be closed, mark Monday, January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.