You're standing there, coffee in hand, staring at the mail truck—or lack thereof—and wondering: is it holiday in the us today? Honestly, we’ve all been there. You wake up on a random Saturday in January, the vibe feels slightly "off," and suddenly you’re frantically googling if you can actually go to the bank or if the post office is ghosting you.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Here is the straight talk. No, today is not a federal holiday in the United States. If you were hoping for a sanctioned day off from the government, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But wait. Before you close this tab and go back to your chores, there’s a massive "but" coming your way.
We are currently smack in the middle of a major holiday weekend. While the actual "big day" isn't today, the machinery of the American holiday system is definitely spinning.
The MLK Weekend Confusion Explained (Simply)
The reason you’re probably asking is it holiday in the us today is because we are currently in the shadow of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2026, MLK Day falls on Monday, January 19.
In the U.S., federal holidays that fall on Mondays create these weird "gray zone" Saturdays. Most federal employees are already technically on their holiday break because they don't work weekends anyway. For the rest of us? It’s a bit of a toss-up.
What is actually closed?
Basically, almost everything is open today because it's a Saturday. However, since it's a holiday weekend, you might notice a few shifts:
- Banks: Most retail branches are open today (Saturday hours), but they will definitely be closed this coming Monday.
- Mail: USPS is running today. Your Amazon package is still coming.
- Schools: They’re closed because it’s Saturday, but they’ll stay closed through Monday.
- Stock Market: The NYSE and Nasdaq are closed today (standard weekend), and they’ll stay dark on Monday too.
Why Today Feels Like a Holiday Anyway
Even though it’s not an "official" day off for the private sector, January 17th is actually loaded with what I call "niche" celebrations. If you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate, you’ve got plenty of options.
Today is National Use Your Gift Card Day. It’s the third Saturday in January, which is the industry's way of begging you to finally spend that $25 Starbucks card you got from your aunt three weeks ago. Statistics from groups like Mercator Advisory Group suggest billions—yes, billions—in gift cards go unredeemed every year. Don't let yours be a statistic.
It’s also Ben Franklin Day. Why today? Because it’s his birthday. He was born January 17, 1706. So, if you see someone wearing bifocals and looking particularly kite-obsessed, now you know why.
The "National Day" Rabbit Hole
If you dig deeper into the weird world of "National Days," January 17 is also:
- National Hot Buttered Rum Day (perfect for the January chill).
- Kid Inventors’ Day.
- Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day.
That last one is dangerously relatable. Most people make it exactly 17 days before the gym membership starts feeling like a burden. If you’ve already given up on the kale smoothies, today is technically your "official" day to stop feeling guilty about it.
The "Day On" vs. "Day Off" Philosophy
Since we are two days out from the actual MLK federal holiday, it’s worth mentioning how the vibe of this specific holiday has changed.
A lot of people used to just treat the third Monday of January as a time to sleep in. But lately, there’s been a massive shift toward making it a National Day of Service. You’ll see a lot of community groups starting their projects today, on Saturday, to take advantage of the full weekend.
Yolanda Renee King, MLK’s granddaughter, has been pretty vocal about this. She’s often quoted saying that the holiday shouldn’t just be a "day off," but a "day on." So, while it isn't a legal holiday today, for thousands of volunteers across the country, the work starts right now.
Traveling in the U.S. Today? Read This.
If you are currently at an airport or on the I-95, you already know the answer to is it holiday in the us today—at least in spirit.
Holiday weekends in January are notorious for travel spikes. Because MLK Day is the first long weekend after the New Year’s hangover, people get itchy for a getaway. Expect slightly longer TSA lines and "holiday pricing" at hotels.
According to AAA travel data from previous years, mid-January travel often sees a bump in "snowbird" traffic—people fleeing the north for Florida or Arizona. If you’re in a major hub like Atlanta or Chicago, give yourself an extra 45 minutes. Trust me.
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What to Expect for the Rest of the Weekend
Since today is just the "warm-up" for the actual federal holiday on Monday, here is how the next 48 hours are going to look:
- Tomorrow (Sunday): Totally normal Sunday. No changes to anything.
- Monday (Jan 19): This is the "real" holiday. No mail. No banks. No government offices. No trash pickup in many cities.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Back to reality.
One thing people often forget is parking enforcement. In many major cities like New York or D.C., "holiday rules" for street parking usually only apply to the actual Monday, not today. Don't get a ticket thinking Saturday counts as the holiday. It doesn't.
Your Actionable Checklist for Today
Since it’s not a federal holiday, you can’t exactly hide from your responsibilities, but you can definitely prep for the long weekend.
- Check your banking: If you need to talk to a human at a bank, do it today. Monday is a no-go.
- Spend that gift card: It’s literally the national day for it. Dig through your junk drawer.
- Verify Monday’s trash schedule: Most municipalities push trash pickup back by one day during a holiday week. Check your local DPW website so your bins don't sit on the curb for 24 hours for no reason.
- Look for service events: If you want to honor the MLK legacy, today is the day most local organizations (like AmeriCorps or local food banks) hold their orientation sessions for Monday's big events.
Essentially, while the answer to is it holiday in the us today is a technical "no," the country is definitely in holiday mode. Enjoy the Saturday, spend your gift cards, and maybe grab a hot buttered rum. You've earned it, even if the government says you're supposed to be working.
Check your local weather alerts if you're in the Northeast or Midwest. January 17th is historically a prime date for "Siberian Express" cold fronts, which can shut things down faster than a federal holiday ever could.