California state holidays 2026: An employer’s guide

For employers, understanding California state holidays requires familiarity with both official holiday dates and pay regulations. While the state recognizes several federal and state-specific holidays, the laws about required time off and pay differ greatly for public and private employers. Below, find an overview of the 2026 holiday schedule and employer obligations so you can maintain compliance and manage your team effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Key Facts
2. Table of Contents
3. Official California State Holidays 2026
4. Holiday Pay and Time Off Laws for California Employers
5. Manage time off, timesheets, payroll, and more
6. FAQ

Key Facts

• California state holidays set public-sector closure and payroll-calendar rules, but the California Department of Industrial Relations states that private employers generally decide whether to provide paid holiday time off or extra holiday pay.
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February 2026 that 81.0% of U.S. private-industry workers had access to paid holidays in 2025, with an average of 8 paid holidays.
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 benefits table shows that only 49% of private-industry workers in the lowest 10% wage category had access to paid holidays.

Official California State Holidays 2026

California uses two related holiday lists. Government Code section 6700 identifies statewide legal holidays, while CalHR publishes the paid holiday calendar for most state employees. The California Department of Industrial Relations confirmed in March 2026 that Government Code section 6700 added Diwali and renamed March 31 as Farmworkers Day. For employer scheduling, separate statewide legal holidays from paid state-employee closure dates.

CalHR’s 2026 holiday calendar lists these 11 paid holiday dates for California state employees.

Some California legal holidays are not paid closure dates for most state employees. CalHR lists Lunar New Year, Genocide Remembrance Day, Diwali, Juneteenth, and Native American Day as holidays for which most state employees may elect eight hours of holiday credit in lieu of personal holiday credit.

Optional Holidays for State Employees

In addition to the official paid holidays, the California Government Code allows most state employees to use a personal holiday credit to observe a day of cultural or religious significance. Employees may elect to take one of the following days in lieu of a personal holiday:

• Lunar New Year: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
• Genocide Remembrance Day: Friday, April 24, 2026
• Juneteenth: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Native American Day: Friday, September 25, 2026
• Diwali: Sunday, November 8, 2026, based on the 2026 date listed by the California Commission on State Mandates.

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most significant traditional holidays celebrated by Asian cultures around the world. It marks the beginning of a new year on the Chinese calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon and the sun.

The date of Lunar New Year varies annually. In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17. The celebration of Lunar New Year typically lasts for 15 days, and it is a time for family reunions, feasting, and gift-giving.

The state of California celebrates Lunar New Year in a variety of ways. For instance, many cities and towns hold festivals and events, and businesses often decorate their storefronts with red lanterns and other traditional symbols. In addition, many schools and universities offer classes and programs on Lunar New Year culture and history.

Farmworkers Day, formerly César Chávez Day

Farmworkers Day is the March 31 California state holiday that recognizes the farm labor movement and the contributions of farmworkers. The California Department of Industrial Relations confirmed that, effective March 26, 2026, Government Code section 6700 designates March 31 as Farmworkers Day.

In California, Farmworkers Day is observed on March 31 each year. In 2026, it fell on a Tuesday. The holiday gives employers a timely reason to review scheduling, payroll coding, and holiday policy language for California staff.

Genocide Remembrance Day

Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24 each year in California to commemorate the victims of genocides worldwide. In 2026, this falls on a Friday. The date holds particular significance as it marks the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915.

On this solemn day, the state of California and its communities come together to remember the millions of lives lost to genocide and to honor the survivors and their resilience. Communities organize various events and ceremonies, including memorial services, candlelight vigils, and educational programs. During these events, community leaders, activists, and survivors share their experiences and stories to build understanding and empathy among the public. The ultimate aim of Genocide Remembrance Day is to promote peace, tolerance, and human rights while pledging to work toward a world free from the horrors of genocide.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated on June 19 each year. In 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing it as a federal holiday. California lists Juneteenth in Government Code section 6700, and CalHR lists it as an optional eight-hour holiday-credit election for most state employees rather than one of the 11 standard paid state-employee closure dates. In 2026, it was observed on Friday, June 19.

In California, Juneteenth is observed with various events and activities that honor African American history, culture, and achievements. Festivals, parades, and community gatherings are held in cities and towns across the state. These celebrations often feature live music, dance performances, art exhibitions, and cultural presentations to showcase the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans to society.

Moreover, educational programs and discussions often take place to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality. The holiday serves as a reminder of the progress made and the continued work needed to promote inclusivity, justice, and equal rights for all.

Native American Day

Native American Day, observed on the fourth Friday in September each year, is also included in the list of official state holidays in California. In 2026, this falls on September 25. The holiday honors the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and history of Native American tribes and communities in the state.

On Native American Day, California hosts various events and activities throughout the state to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures and traditions of Native Americans. These activities often include traditional Native American gatherings (powwows) that involve dance, music, storytelling, arts, crafts, and food. These powwows provide an opportunity for Native Americans to come together, share their culture, and educate the broader community about their traditions.

Many museums, cultural centers, and community organizations also organize exhibits and displays that showcase Native American art, artifacts, history, and contemporary contributions. However, celebrations can vary across different regions of California, reflecting the unique cultures and traditions of the various Native American communities in the state.

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Holiday Pay and Time Off Laws for California Employers

Public Employers

For California state government agencies, providing paid time off for the 11 CalHR holiday dates listed earlier is mandatory for most eligible employees, subject to the Government Code, CalHR rules, and relevant collective bargaining agreements. CalHR also states that eligible excluded employees receive one personal holiday per fiscal year.

Private Employers

For private businesses, the law is different. The California Department of Industrial Relations states that California law does not require employers to provide paid holiday time off, observe holidays, or pay additional compensation for work performed on a holiday. Holiday pay and time off are treated as a voluntary benefit offered by the employer. If an employer promises paid holidays in an employment contract, collective bargaining agreement, offer letter, or employee handbook, the employer should follow that policy consistently.

Rules for Salaried Exempt Employees

A key consideration for employers involves salaried exempt employees. If an employer closes for a one-day holiday in a workweek when an exempt employee performs any work, the employer should not reduce the weekly salary for that closure. The California Department of Industrial Relations also states that, as of January 1, 2026, California exempt employees must earn at least $70,304 annually to meet the state salary-threshold component of the exemption test.

Creating a Compliant Holiday Policy

To avoid confusion and ensure fairness, private employers should create a clear, written holiday policy in their employee handbook. This policy should specify:

• Which holidays the company observes as paid days off.
• Eligibility requirements, such as full-time status or a requirement to work the scheduled day before and after the holiday.
• The rate of pay for employees who are required to work on a company holiday, including whether the company voluntarily offers premium pay.
• Procedures for requesting time off for religious or cultural observances not on the official company list. The EEOC states that schedule changes can be a reasonable religious accommodation unless they create undue hardship.
• Payroll-calendar procedures for holidays that affect filings or pay dates. The California Employment Development Department states that payroll tax due dates falling on a legal holiday are extended to the next business day.

Employer checklist: For each holiday, document 4 details: whether the office closes, whether the day is paid, who is eligible, and how worked holiday hours are coded for payroll.

A well-defined policy is the best way to manage expectations and reduce legal risk. For example, Factorial can help HR teams configure custom holiday calendars, route time-off approvals, and keep policy-based absence records in one place.

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Factorial’s HRIS offers businesses a practical and efficient solution to handle their HR processes. With its user-friendly interface and cloud-based platform, Factorial simplifies the details of managing employee time off, ensuring accurate timesheets and payroll processes.

Some of Factorial’s key features that can help you manage time off for all CA state holidays include:

• Time off management. Factorial allows businesses to efficiently manage employee time off requests. Employees can submit different types of time off requests directly from the platform. Managers can approve or deny requests in an intuitive leave management system.
• Timesheet management. Factorial makes it easy for employers to track working hours. Employees can clock in and out of work from the Factorial app, and their timesheets are automatically synced to the dashboard. Managers can review and approve employee timesheets efficiently.
• Payroll management. Factorial’s payroll feature organizes the entire payroll process, automating calculations and tax deductions in line with time-tracking data. By simplifying payroll management, Factorial enables HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives and employee development.

Additional benefits of using Factorial:

• Automated time tracking. Factorial can automatically track employee time based on their location, IP address, or device.
• Real-time reporting. Factorial provides real-time reports on employee time off. Employers can use this information to identify trends and make decisions about business operations.
• Mobile app. Factorial offers a mobile app that allows employees to submit time off requests and view their timesheets from anywhere.

If you are looking for a comprehensive HR software solution to manage all California state holidays, improve compliance, and increase employee productivity, Factorial is a strong choice.

FAQ

What holidays do CA state employees get off?

California state employees receive paid time off for official holidays like New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, César Chávez Day, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They may also use a personal holiday credit for a day of cultural or religious significance not on the official list.

What are the California state holidays in 2026?

The official California state holidays in 2026 include New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19), César Chávez Day (Mar. 31), Memorial Day (May 25), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (observed July 3), Labor Day (Sep. 7), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), and Christmas Day (Dec. 25).

Are there any mandatory paid holidays in California?

No, California law does not require private employers to provide paid holidays. Paid time off for holidays is a voluntary benefit. However, if an employer creates a policy to offer paid holidays, they are legally obligated to follow it consistently for all eligible employees.

Is Cesar Chavez Day a California state holiday?

Yes, César Chávez Day on March 31 is an official state holiday in California. State employees receive a paid day off, but for private businesses, providing paid time off for this holiday is optional and depends entirely on the company’s policy.