Public holidays in New York

Last updated July 27, 2025.

What are the public holidays in New York? Here’s the complete list of holidays with explanations for each one. Keep in mind that just because a day is a holiday doesn’t mean everything closes in New York—far from it. Tourist attractions and New York museums stay open, as do restaurants and many shops. However, three holidays are observed much more strictly than others: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. On these days, some museums do close.

January 1: New Year’s Day

• New Year’s Day is a public holiday in New York, just as it is in Europe and Canada. Most museums are closed on January 1. However, New York’s observation decks remain open, including the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and the One World Trade Center observation deck.
• January 1 is typically quiet in New York—most people are recovering from New Year’s Eve celebrations. For ideas on how to spend New Year’s in New York, check out our guide.

Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• The next Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on January 19, 2026.
• This holiday commemorates the birthday of the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. He became famous for his fight for the civil rights of African Americans. He delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The holiday was established to honor his memory after his assassination in Memphis in 1968.
• To experience this holiday authentically, visit Harlem, the historic center of African American culture in New York.

Third Monday in February: Presidents Day

• The next Presidents Day falls on February 16, 2026.
• The third Monday in February honors U.S. presidents. This date was chosen because it falls between the birthdays of former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
• This holiday passes largely unnoticed by tourists since all attractions and museums remain open. It mainly benefits American workers, who get a long weekend.

Easter Monday

• The next Easter Monday falls on April 6, 2026.
• The exact date of this holiday changes each year. Easter is celebrated on Sunday, and the following Monday is a public holiday.
• Easter Monday brings local festivities, including egg hunts in Brooklyn and Queens parks. In Manhattan, you can watch the Easter Parade. Women traditionally wear extravagant hats for the occasion—an original tradition dating back to the 1870s.

Last Monday in May: Memorial Day

• The next Memorial Day falls on May 25, 2026.
• This holiday honors the memory of soldiers who died in combat. It pays tribute to those who died in all wars, not just World War II. Memorial Day remembers the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and others.
• Memorial Day is particularly significant in the U.S. because it marks the unofficial start of summer. For tourists, this is actually a great holiday—attractions and museums operate normally, and the city is lively.

July 4: Independence Day

• July 4 is America’s Independence Day. This holiday celebrates July 4, 1776, when the United States declared independence. It’s one of the most important holidays in the U.S. That said, most places don’t close. Tourist attractions and museums typically stay open because they want to welcome the crowds who come to New York for July 4.
• July 4 features major celebrations, starting with spectacular fireworks. Note that the location changes each year, so check where the July 4 fireworks in New York will be held. Another highlight: the spire of the Empire State Building lights up in the colors of the American flag.

First Monday in September: Labor Day

• The next Labor Day falls on September 1, 2025. Labor Day 2026 will be September 7, 2026.
• Labor Day is America’s workers’ holiday. Unlike Europe, the U.S. doesn’t celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1. This holiday gives American workers a three-day weekend. If you’re in New York for business, you may find fewer people around. However, attractions and museums operate normally.
• Labor Day is best known for the West Indian Parade, a Caribbean carnival celebration. Head to Crown Heights in Brooklyn for Caribbean music and colorful costumes.

Second Monday in October: Columbus Day

• The next Columbus Day falls on October 13, 2025. Columbus Day 2026 will be October 12, 2026, which coincides with the date of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
• The second Monday in October is a uniquely American holiday. It commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Interestingly, the Genoese navigator actually landed in what is now the Dominican Republic, not the continental United States. Columbus was searching for an alternate route to the Indies.
• In New York, a parade is held on Fifth Avenue. The U.S. Navy participates! For details, see the Columbus Day Parade information.

November 11: Veterans Day

• November 11 is a holiday honoring military veterans. The date marks the armistice of World War I on November 11, 1918. The United States participated in the war, sending troops to Europe in 1917.
• On this day, veterans of all conflicts are honored. Ceremonies take place throughout New York.

Last Thursday in November: Thanksgiving

• In 2025, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, 2025. In 2026, Thanksgiving is scheduled for November 26, 2026.
• Thanksgiving is probably the most puzzling American holiday for visitors from other countries. This uniquely American celebration has no equivalent elsewhere, so its meaning can be lost on outsiders. The holiday traces back to the early British settlers on the American East Coast and their first encounters with Native Americans. Thanksgiving is a family celebration as important as Christmas. Americans often drive for hours to be with family for the traditional meal. Turkey is the centerpiece of the feast.
• In New York, Thanksgiving is marked by an incredible parade of giant balloons. The Thanksgiving Parade is something to see at least once in your life! The day after, Black Friday brings massive sales throughout the city’s stores.

December 25: Christmas

• Christmas Day is a strictly observed holiday in New York. Christmas is likely the holiday that will cause you the most difficulty as a tourist, since many places close. That said, you can still enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in New York.
• Christmas markets close by December 24, but Christmas trees and holiday lights remain visible. You can explore the main neighborhoods of New York to enjoy the decorations. Don’t miss the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, the tallest in New York.