when is mlk day 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) in 2026 will be observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Quick Scoop

• MLK Day is a U.S. federal holiday held on the third Monday of January each year, close to Dr. King’s birthday on January 15.

• In 2026, the third Monday of January falls on January 19 , which is why that is the official date for MLK Day 2026.

• Many workplaces, schools, and government offices are closed, and the day is widely used as a national day of service to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

Extra context

• The holiday has been a federal observance since 1986 and is dedicated to remembering Dr. King’s role in the civil rights movement and encouraging ongoing work toward equality and justice.

• Because the date is tied to the third Monday (not a fixed calendar date), MLK Day can fall anywhere between January 15 and January 21 depending on the year.

TL;DR: When is MLK Day 2026? It’s on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.