Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2027 is Monday, January 18, 2027. It is the second federal holiday of the year and gives a three-day weekend from Saturday, January 16.
What is closed on MLK Day 2027
Federal offices, federal courts, post offices, Federal Reserve Banks and the New York Stock Exchange are all closed on January 18. State governments observe the day in all 50 states, so DMVs are shut, and most public schools and universities cancel classes. National parks stay open, and stores and restaurants keep normal hours.
How the date is set
The statute places the holiday on the third Monday in January, which means it can fall as early as January 15 and as late as January 21. Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, so the holiday lands on his actual birthday only in some years; 2029 is the next one.
MLK Day dates, 2026–2031
| Year | Date | Day | Federal day off (observed) | Three-day weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 19 | Monday | Same day | January 17 – January 19 |
| 2027 | January 18 | Monday | Same day | January 16 – January 18 |
| 2028 | January 17 | Monday | Same day | January 15 – January 17 |
| 2029 | January 15 | Monday | Same day | January 13 – January 15 |
| 2030 | January 21 | Monday | Same day | January 19 – January 21 |
| 2031* | January 20 | Monday | Same day | January 18 – January 20 |
*2031: calculated from the statute; not yet published by OPM.
History in brief
President Reagan signed the holiday into law on November 2, 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. State adoption took longer; by 2000 every state recognized it. In 1994 Congress also designated the holiday a national day of service, which is why volunteer projects are scheduled around it. OPM’s official schedule uses the statutory name, “Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.”
A few states pair the day with another name. Arizona and New Hampshire call it Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day, and Alabama and Mississippi mark Robert E. Lee’s birthday on the same Monday. See state holidays for other state-level variations.
Frequently asked questions
Is there mail on MLK Day 2027?
No. USPS lists Monday, January 18, 2027 as a postal holiday. Post office counters are closed and regular mail is not delivered.
Is the stock market open on MLK Day?
No. The NYSE is closed on Monday, January 18, 2027 and reopens Tuesday.
Do private employees get MLK Day off?
Only if their employer chooses to. It is less commonly given in the private sector than Memorial Day or Labor Day.
Is MLK Day always on January 15?
No. It is the third Monday of January. In 2027 that is January 18.
The following federal holiday is Presidents’ Day on February 15, 2027.
Last checked: 12 November 2026 — dates verified against OPM