Tucson Holidays 2026: Key Dates & Closures

This guide covers the 2026 dates that close schools, shut city offices, disrupt transit, or require adjusted staffing in Tucson. Use it to plan schedules and time-off requests. For statewide holidays, see our Arizona holidays 2026 guide.

What Are the Federal Holidays in Tucson for 2026?

Holiday	Date	Day
New Year’s Day	January 1	Thursday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 19	Monday
Presidents’ Day	February 16	Monday
Memorial Day	May 25	Monday
Juneteenth	June 19	Friday
Independence Day	July 4	Saturday
Labor Day	September 7	Monday
Columbus Day	October 12	Monday
Veterans Day	November 11	Wednesday
Thanksgiving Day	November 26	Thursday
Christmas Day	December 25	Friday

Independence Day falls on Saturday. Most city offices and federal agencies will close Friday, July 3 instead.

City offices, courts, and most government services close on all dates above. Many private employers follow the same schedule.

What State Holidays Does Arizona Observe?

Arizona state offices observe all federal holidays including Columbus Day (October 12, 2026). However, the City of Tucson does not observe Columbus Day—city offices remain open.

Note: Arizona also recognizes American Family Day (first Sunday in August) as an observance, but since it falls on a Sunday, it does not affect business closures.

What Local Events Affect Tucson Schedules in 2026?

Citywide hotel and traffic impact – The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase (late January–mid February) is actually 40+ shows across the city lasting about 3 weeks. This is Tucson’s largest tourism event. Hotels sell out months in advance; expect traffic near all major venues.
Downtown street closures – La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo Parade (late February) closes downtown streets. TUSD observes Rodeo Break (Thursday and Friday).
Fourth Avenue closures – Fourth Avenue Street Fair (March and December) closes the Fourth Avenue shopping district for a weekend each time.
University of Arizona events – UA football games and graduation ceremonies create localized traffic near campus.
Pima County Fair traffic – The fair (April) creates traffic near the Pima County Fairgrounds.

When Do Tucson Government Offices Close?

City of Tucson offices close on all federal holidays except Columbus Day. The day after Thanksgiving is typically a closure. Christmas Eve often has reduced hours.

Pima County offices follow a similar schedule.

When Are TUSD Schools Closed in 2026?

These dates close Tucson Unified School District. Plan for childcare gaps and potential staffing shortages:

All federal holidays
Rodeo Break (Thursday and Friday of Rodeo Week, late February)
Fall break (October)
Winter break (late December through early January)
Spring break (March)

TUSD typically adopts the calendar by spring. Check the district website for the confirmed 2026–2027 schedule and Rodeo Break dates.

How Do Tucson Holidays Affect Businesses and Staffing?

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses typically stay open on holidays and during major events. The Gem Show (late January–mid February) and Rodeo Week (late February) create back-to-back peak tourism periods requiring maximum hospitality staffing.

Holiday weekends and school closures increase time-off requests. Rodeo Break is unique to Tucson—plan accordingly.

Summary

The highest-impact dates for 2026: federal holidays close city offices (except Columbus Day); the Gem Show creates 3 weeks of peak tourism in late January–February; Rodeo Week closes schools and downtown streets; TUSD observes Rodeo Break.

Use this list to build shift schedules, approve time-off requests, and plan for peak tourism season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are banks and post offices open on Tucson holidays in 2026?

Banks and post offices close on all federal holidays. Check individual bank hours for day-after-Thanksgiving closures.

Is Sun Tran transit running on Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026?

Sun Tran runs on reduced holiday schedules on Thanksgiving (November 26) and Christmas (December 25). Some routes may not operate. The Sun Link streetcar also runs reduced hours. Check Sun Tran for specific route information.

How does the Tucson Gem Show affect traffic and hotels?

The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase (late January–mid February 2026) is actually dozens of shows across the city lasting about 3 weeks. Hotels book up months in advance. Expect traffic congestion near I-10, downtown, and major show venues. This is peak tourism season for Tucson.

What is Rodeo Week and how does it affect Tucson?

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (late February 2026) includes the Tucson Rodeo and Rodeo Parade. TUSD schools close for Rodeo Day (Thursday and Friday). The parade closes downtown streets. Expect increased time-off requests and tourism activity.

Why do Tucson schools get Rodeo Break?

Tucson is one of the few U.S. cities where schools close for a rodeo. TUSD observes a 2-day break (Thursday and Friday of Rodeo Week) that dates back to 1925. Parents should plan for childcare during this unique local holiday that many employers don’t observe.