As the chill of February sets in across the United States, many Americans are looking forward to a brief respite from their routines. Monday, February 16, 2026, marks Presidents Day, a federal holiday that has evolved over time from a celebration of George Washington’s birthday to a broader day of recognition for all who have held the nation’s highest office. But what exactly does this day mean for workers, businesses, and the rhythm of American life? The answer, it turns out, is both steeped in history and shaped by the practicalities of the modern world.
Presidents Day, officially recognized as Washington’s Birthday by the federal government, falls on the third Monday of February each year. This tradition dates back to 1879 when Congress established the holiday to honor the country’s first president, George Washington, according to the Library of Congress. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the observance from Washington’s actual birthday, February 22, to the third Monday in February. The move, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, was designed to create more three-day weekends for Americans, with Johnson stating the change would allow people “to travel farther and see more of this beautiful land of ours,” as cited by The American Presidency Project.
Over time, the holiday’s focus broadened. With Abraham Lincoln’s birthday falling on February 12, many states and citizens began to see the day as an opportunity to honor both Washington and Lincoln, and eventually, all U.S. presidents. Despite this, the federal government has never formally renamed the holiday; it remains officially titled Washington’s Birthday, as confirmed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and reported by USA TODAY and the National Archives.
So, what does Presidents Day mean for the average American in 2026? For federal employees, it’s a paid day off—one of 11 federal holidays observed that year, according to the OPM. Government offices, including post offices, will be shuttered. The U.S. Postal Service will halt regular mail delivery, though some specialized services like Holiday Premium Mail Express and Same-Day Package Delivery will continue, as noted by a USPS memo cited in USA TODAY. Major banks such as Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Chase, Truist, and Citibank will also close their doors, as will the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq stock markets.
However, the holiday’s impact is far from uniform. While federal and most state government employees enjoy a long weekend, the private sector is a patchwork. Many private businesses, including retailers, grocery stores, and pharmacies, may remain open or operate with modified hours. Shoppers are often greeted with Presidents Day sales and promotions, a tradition that has become as much a part of the holiday as its historical roots.
One question that pops up every year is whether big-box retailers like Costco will open their doors. According to a report from Mid-Atlantic Connect, Costco is open on Presidents Day 2026, with most locations opening at 10 a.m. ET and Executive Member hours starting at 9 a.m. ET. Even Costco gas stations will be operational, though some may adjust their hours. The retailer only closes on a handful of major holidays—Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. So, for those needing to stock up or fill up the tank, Presidents Day won’t get in the way.
The picture varies by state. Some, like New Jersey, officially recognize Presidents Day as a state holiday, while others, such as New York, observe Washington’s Birthday and treat Lincoln’s Birthday as a separate floating holiday for state employees. Delaware, on the other hand, doesn’t celebrate either Presidents Day or Washington’s Birthday as a state holiday. Mississippi marks the occasion as George Washington’s Birthday, and Illinois, Lincoln’s home state, treats February 12 as a state holiday. In Colorado and a few other states, the day is labeled Washington-Lincoln Day. This patchwork reflects the decentralized nature of American government and the country’s diverse historical perspectives.
For those wondering about package deliveries, the situation is mixed. While the USPS pauses regular service, FedEx will deliver as usual on February 16, 2026, and UPS will offer pickup and delivery—though packages sent via UPS Ground Saver and UPS Mail Innovations may experience a one-day delay due to the USPS holiday, according to information from USA TODAY.
The list of federal holidays in 2026, as provided by the OPM and reported by The Independent, includes New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19), Presidents Day (Monday, February 16), Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), Juneteenth National Independence Day (Friday, June 19), Independence Day (Saturday, July 4, observed on Friday, July 3), Labor Day (Monday, September 7), Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day (Monday, October 12), Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11), Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26), and Christmas Day (Friday, December 25). Eight of these holidays provide Americans with three-day weekends in 2026.
Yet, despite its status as a federal holiday, Presidents Day is not a national holiday in the sense that all Americans are guaranteed the day off. As USA TODAY points out, “It is up to individual employers to decide whether they offer time off or additional pay for work on federal holidays.” Most private-sector employees will report to work as usual, and the day’s significance is often marked more by sales events than by civic reflection.
There’s also the matter of nomenclature. While the public has widely adopted the term “Presidents Day,” Congress has never officially changed the holiday’s name from Washington’s Birthday. Each state decides how to treat the day, leading to variations in spelling (with or without an apostrophe) and focus (Washington alone, Washington and Lincoln, or all presidents).
For many, Presidents Day is simply a welcome break in the winter months—a chance to pause, shop, or perhaps reflect on the nation’s history. For others, it’s business as usual, with only the closure of government offices and banks serving as a reminder that the day is set apart. In a country as diverse and sprawling as the United States, perhaps it’s fitting that a holiday honoring the presidency should be celebrated in so many different ways.
As Americans prepare for the long weekend or brace for another Monday at work, the meaning of Presidents Day continues to evolve. Whether it’s a time for remembrance, a day for bargains, or just a moment to catch one’s breath, February 16, 2026, will once again bring the country together—if only for a day.