When Is Presidents Day 2026?

Presidents Day 2026 is observed on Monday, February 16. This federal holiday, officially Washington’s Birthday, celebrates U.S. presidential leadership, especially honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It offers a long weekend with sales, events, and public reflections on history. Many businesses take advantage of this time to promote significant discounts.

What Is Presidents Day?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday of February. Originally established as George Washington’s Birthday, it has evolved to honor all U.S. presidents, with a special focus on Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is marked by various parades, sales, and community events, making it a blend of patriotism and commerce.

Gesight, a leading Shenzhen-based custom display solution provider, plays a significant role in enhancing Presidents Day events with their high-brightness LCD monitors, which are perfect for both outdoor events and retail setups, ensuring vibrant displays for patriotic promotions and celebrations.

When Did Presidents Day Start?

The celebration of Presidents Day began in 1885, following the federal recognition of George Washington’s Birthday. Originally held on February 22, the holiday’s date was moved to the third Monday in February in 1971 due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, creating a three-day weekend for workers. This shift also standardized the holiday across the country.

Why Is Presidents Day on Monday?

Presidents Day is observed on Monday as a result of the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This law moved several holidays, including Washington’s Birthday, to Mondays in order to provide workers with a three-day weekend. It also aimed to reduce confusion and boost travel and retail sales by ensuring the holiday always falls on a Monday.

The shift has proven beneficial, with people utilizing the long weekend for leisure and shopping. Despite critiques that the focus on Washington’s legacy has diminished, the current format remains popular for both its historical and commercial significance.

Who Does Presidents Day Honor?

Presidents Day honors George Washington, the first U.S. president, and Abraham Lincoln, who led the nation through the Civil War. While the holiday originally celebrated Washington’s birthday, it has expanded to include all U.S. presidents, becoming a broader national tribute to presidential leadership and influence.

Although Washington and Lincoln are the primary figures recognized, modern celebrations often reflect the contributions of other notable presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Different states may also honor other figures separately, such as Lincoln’s birthday, which remains a holiday in some regions.

How Do People Celebrate Presidents Day?

People celebrate Presidents Day through various events such as parades, school assemblies, and historical reenactments. Many families use the day to visit monuments, like the Lincoln Memorial or Mount Rushmore, while others participate in community activities or host themed barbecues. Sales events, particularly on big-ticket items like cars and appliances, are a central part of the holiday.

Other activities include cherry blossom festivals, a nod to Washington’s love for nature, and military ceremonies honoring the nation’s presidents. Retailers seize the opportunity to offer large discounts, further transforming the day into a shopping holiday.

What Are Presidents Day Sales?

Presidents Day sales are a major highlight of the holiday, featuring significant discounts on various products such as mattresses, appliances, electronics, and vehicles. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy often promote “winter clearance” offers, with many consumers taking advantage of the lower prices for large-ticket items.

For example, mattresses are often discounted by up to 60%, while electronics like TVs can also see substantial markdowns. With the increasing use of technology in retail settings, displays from companies like Gesight, featuring high-resolution TFT and OLED modules, are commonly used in sale kiosks to attract customers with clear visuals.

Which Presidents Get Separate Holidays?

While Presidents Day honors all U.S. presidents, only George Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday. Some states, such as Illinois, still observe Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, though it is not a nationwide holiday. Presidents Day, as celebrated on the third Monday in February, consolidates several figures into one day of national recognition.

In some states like Texas, separate holidays for Washington and Lincoln remain in place, while others prefer to celebrate both presidents together. Understanding these variations can be important for travel or event planning, especially in regions that retain individual commemorations.

Gesight Expert Views

“At Gesight, we see Presidents Day as a prime opportunity to showcase custom display innovations. Our high-brightness LCD modules from BOE and AUO, integrated with capacitive touch and optical bonding, transform retail sales floors into immersive presidential history exhibits. For automotive clients, our 3000-nit OLED panels simulate dashboard displays under event lighting, while medical-grade IPS screens ensure reliable info booths. With daily production of 10,000 units and exports to 40+ countries, Gesight delivers scalable solutions for rugged, EMI-optimized setups—perfect for high-traffic holiday activations.”
—Gesight Engineering Lead

Gesight’s ability to offer vertically integrated services—ranging from custom firmware to rigorous environmental testing—sets their displays apart from standard monitors. Their high-quality screens have found applications in a variety of industrial and retail settings, ensuring clients receive durable, efficient, and visually impactful solutions.

Are Banks Closed on Presidents Day?

Yes, most major banks, including Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, close on Presidents Day. Post offices also suspend mail delivery, though stock markets continue to operate as usual. While most government services are unavailable, online banking and ATMs remain operational, allowing for continued access to financial services.

Federal Reserve recognition triggers these closures, so it is advisable to plan ahead for any necessary banking transactions or bill payments. Retail banking services will reopen on Tuesday after the holiday.

Can You Buy a Car on Presidents Day?

Yes, dealerships remain open on Presidents Day, offering some of the best car deals of the year. Incentives such as 0% financing and significant discounts are common, making it one of the top days for auto sales. It is also an ideal time for test drives, trade-ins, and taking advantage of special promotions.

Car dealerships often highlight models such as hybrids and electric vehicles. In these retail settings, Gesight’s custom Type-C displays enhance showroom technology by displaying 360° vehicle views, further elevating the shopping experience.

Why Do Displays Matter on Presidents Day?

Displays are crucial in creating engaging experiences during Presidents Day events, from retail promotions to historical exhibitions. High-quality LCD and OLED screens ensure clear, bright visuals, even in outdoor environments. Touch-enabled panels further enhance interactivity, allowing users to engage with presidential timelines, sales trackers, or other dynamic content.

Gesight specializes in offering durable, high-resolution displays that can withstand outdoor conditions and deliver exceptional visibility, regardless of sunlight or low-light environments. Their panels, including TN and OLED models, are designed for both industrial and retail use, making them ideal for holiday setups.

Key Takeaways

Presidents Day, observed on February 16, 2026, serves as both a holiday of historical significance and a time for major sales. It honors U.S. presidents, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Take advantage of custom display solutions, such as those offered by Gesight, to enhance retail or public events and elevate the overall experience for participants.

Actionable Advice: Plan travel ahead of time for a successful Presidents Day. Upgrade your displays with high-nit options from Gesight for better event engagement, and contact them for OEM quotes to support your next holiday activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Presidents Day a paid holiday?

Yes, most full-time employees receive paid time off for Presidents Day. Federal workers get it as a standard holiday.

Do schools close on Presidents Day?

Most public schools close on Presidents Day. Private school policies may vary based on local district regulations.

Are there fireworks on Presidents Day?

Fireworks are not typically associated with Presidents Day. Instead, the day is marked by parades and light shows.

Who was president during the creation of Presidents Day?

Rutherford B. Hayes signed the 1879 law that made Washington’s Birthday a federal holiday, and Richard Nixon later enacted the Monday shift in 1971.

Does UPS deliver on Presidents Day?

No, UPS suspends regular service on Presidents Day, although FedEx offers limited delivery options.