Labor Day is the only federal holiday in September, and in 2026 it falls on Monday, September 7. It’s the sole September date on the list of 11 federal holidays that close government offices and give federal workers a paid day off. Other September dates carry official designations, including Patriot Day on September 11 and Constitution Day on September 17, but none of them are federal holidays and none of them shut down federal operations.
Labor Day: The First Monday in September
Labor Day is set by statute as “the first Monday in September,” which is why the date shifts each year.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 5 USC 6103 Holidays The U.S. Department of Labor describes it as “an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.”2U.S. Department of Labor. History of Labor Day
All 11 federal holidays are established by 5 U.S.C. § 6103. The statute also permits additional one-time holidays by executive order, but those are exceptions, not permanent fixtures.
What Closes on Labor Day
Federal offices are closed and most banks follow suit. Social Security field offices are closed for every federal holiday, though ssa.gov stays available for online tasks.3Social Security Administration. Holiday Closings of Social Security Offices Federal courts are closed as well, and any filing deadline that lands on the holiday moves to the next business day under the federal rules of procedure. The U.S. Court of International Trade, for example, lists Labor Day among its full-closure days.4United States Court of International Trade. Court Hours and Holidays
The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail, and retail post office windows are closed. The Federal Reserve observes Labor Day too, so Fedwire Funds Service and National Settlement Service do not operate that day.5Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wholesale Services Operating Hours Because commercial banks generally align with the Fed’s schedule, expect branches to be closed and wire transfers and ACH deposits to wait until Tuesday. Online banking still handles balances and scheduled payments.
Essential federal services keep running. TSA officers screen passengers and air traffic controllers staff towers as usual. National parks generally keep their outdoor grounds open, though staffed visitor centers may run reduced hours or close. Policies vary by park, so check the specific park’s website before you drive out.
Holiday Pay: Federal vs. Private Employees
Federal employees get a paid day off for each of the 11 holidays in 5 U.S.C. § 6103.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 5 USC 6103 Holidays Federal employees who must work the holiday, such as those on compressed schedules, receive their regular pay plus premium pay equal to their basic rate for those hours.6eCFR. 5 CFR Part 610 Hours of Duty
Private-sector workers have no federal right to holiday pay or time off. The Department of Labor states that the Fair Labor Standards Act “does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations or holidays (federal or otherwise)” and that these benefits are “generally a matter of agreement between an employer and an employee.”7U.S. Department of Labor. Holiday Pay Hours worked on the holiday count toward the weekly total for overtime purposes, but the day itself triggers no automatic premium rate. Some states and many employers pay time-and-a-half on Labor Day voluntarily; nothing at the federal level requires it.
Other September Observances That Are Not Federal Holidays
Several other September dates carry official designations, but federal offices stay open, employees report to work, and mail is delivered as usual.
Patriot Day (September 11)
September 11 is designated as Patriot Day under 36 U.S.C. § 144, honoring those who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks. The statute asks the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for flags at half-staff and a moment of silence.8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 36 USC 144 Patriot Day It is not a federal holiday.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (September 17)
September 17 marks the 1787 signing of the Constitution and recognizes those who have become citizens by birth or naturalization. Every school, college, or university that receives federal funding must hold an educational program on the Constitution that day.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 36 USC 106 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day The observance does not close any federal offices.
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day and POW/MIA Recognition Day
The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother’s Day under 36 U.S.C. § 111, honoring families who have lost a loved one in military service.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 36 USC 111 Gold Star Mothers Day The third Friday in September is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, proclaimed annually by every President since Carter established it in 1979. Neither closes federal offices or affects mail delivery.