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When Is Martin Luther King Jr. Day? (Countdown & Dates)

Blake Boege
Written by Blake Boege · Founder, Calculator Answers

An educational resource and countdown tool details the date rules and observance dates for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Users search for this to find when the holiday is next celebrated, view a ticking countdown, and check upcoming dates.

Find the exact dates for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day), including a live ticking countdown, upcoming dates from 2026 to 2030, and history.

See also: When Is Columbus Day? (Countdown & Dates), When Is Daylight Saving Time? (Spring Forward & Fall Back Dates), and Date Calculator.

Quick Answer

In 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Direct answer

In 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.

In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January. It honors the life and legacy of the prominent civil rights leader.

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Examples

US Observance Rule

Third Monday in January

Earliest Date

January 15

Latest Date

January 21

How it works

This page displays when Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed and counts down to the next upcoming occurrence.

The date is computed dynamically in the browser following the official Gregorian calendar rules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

When is Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of January. It honors the life and legacy of the prominent civil rights leader.

How is the date determined?

MLK Day is calculated programmatically as the third Monday of January. The earliest possible calendar date is January 15 (which was Dr. King's actual birthday), and the latest is January 21.

A brief history and background

Following Dr. King's assassination in 1968, campaigns to establish a holiday began. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed nationwide on January 20, 1986. It is the only federal holiday dedicated to a private American citizen.

Is it a US federal holiday?

Yes, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday. Government offices, post offices, public schools, and most banks are closed on this day.

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Frequently asked questions

In 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 19.

Yes, it is a federal holiday. Federal institutions, schools, post offices, and banks are closed.

It is a national initiative to transform the holiday into a "day on, not a day off," promoting community volunteer projects.