January 2026 US Calendar: Full List of Holidays, Festivals, Big Events, and Celebrations
Overview of January 2026 in the United States
January is a reset month. People return from the holidays, states reopen after the New Year break, and the winter season shapes most activities. It’s also a time full of observances, cultural events, and major sports schedules.
If you need a clear and reliable list of holidays and events for planning, this calendar lays out every key date in January 2026 with explanations, notes, and practical tips.
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| January 2026 US Calendar |
Full January 2026 US Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday / Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year’s Day | Federal holiday |
| Jan 2 | Fri | Rose Parade & Rose Bowl | Pasadena, CA |
| Jan 3 | Sat | NFL Playoffs begin | National sports event |
| Jan 5 | Mon | College Football Playoff Championship | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Jan 6 | Tue | Epiphany | Christian observance |
| Jan 7 | Wed | Orthodox Christmas | Religious observance |
| Jan 13 | Tue | Korean American Day | Cultural observance |
| Mid-Jan | — | Art Deco Weekend | Miami Beach, FL |
| Mid-Jan | — | San Antonio Cocktail Conference | San Antonio, TX |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal holiday |
| Jan 22–Feb 1 | Thu–Sun | Sundance Film Festival | Park City, UT |
| Late Jan | — | St. Paul Winter Carnival | Minnesota |
| Late Jan | — | Snowdown Festival | Durango, Colorado |
| Jan 27 | Tue | Holocaust Remembrance Day | National observance |
| Last week | — | Key West Food & Wine Festival | Florida |
Official US Holidays in January 2026
New Year’s Day
Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Status: Federal holiday
New Year’s Day is the first major pause of the year. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. Americans usually spend the day resting, meeting family, or watching the annual college bowl games.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Status: Federal holiday
This day honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Communities across the country organize volunteer programs, museum events, and marches. Schools and federal institutions close. Many companies run “Day of Service” programs that encourage employees to support local causes.
Major Cultural Festivals and Events in January 2026
Winter months bring large cultural events across the US. January is especially strong in arts, film, food, and seasonal celebrations.
Tournament of Roses Parade & Rose Bowl Game
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026 (parade follows the “Never on Sunday” rule)
Held in Pasadena, California, the Rose Parade features floats covered in flowers, marching bands, and equestrian teams. The Rose Bowl, one of the oldest college football games, draws national attention and tourism to Southern California.
Sundance Film Festival (Utah)
Expected dates: January 22–February 1, 2026
The Sundance Film Festival in Park City is the top US event for independent film. Industry professionals, journalists, and film fans attend screenings, panels, and premieres. Hotels and rentals fill fast, and snow conditions can affect transportation.
Key West Food and Wine Festival (Florida)
Dates: Usually the last week of January
This island festival offers tastings, vineyard showcases, and culinary tours. It’s popular with travelers looking for warm weather in mid-winter. Local restaurants create limited-run menus for the event.
Art Deco Weekend (Miami Beach)
Dates: Mid-January 2026
Art Deco Weekend celebrates Miami Beach’s iconic architecture. Expect street fairs, vintage markets, guided neighborhood tours, and outdoor concerts. It’s a major tourism driver and pairs well with beach season.
San Antonio Cocktail Conference (Texas)
Dates: Mid-to-late January 2026
This event brings bartenders, chefs, and industry professionals together for tastings, seminars, and parties. The conference supports local charities and has become one of the standout US beverage events of the winter season.
Big Sports Events in January 2026
January is one of the most active months in US sports.
NFL Playoffs
Dates: Begin January 3, 2026
Fans across the country follow the Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference games throughout January. Bars, restaurants, and cities with playoff teams see increased activity. The outcomes determine who reaches Super Bowl LX.
College Football Playoff National Championship
Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
Held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the 2026 championship game caps off the college football season. It’s a major broadcast event with nationwide attention.
NBA and NHL Regular Seasons
Both leagues run full schedules in January.
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NBA teams hit their mid-season stride, with rivalry games drawing big audiences.
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NHL teams play heavy winter schedules where ice conditions and travel make headlines.
These games matter to sports marketing, tourism, and local business spending.
Figure Skating and Winter Sports Events
January features several national championships and qualifiers across the country. Cities like Las Vegas, Denver, and Minneapolis often host indoor events, while ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, and California run competitions tied to national circuits.
Heritage, Awareness, and Cultural Observances
These dates are not federal holidays but are widely recognized across many communities.
New Year’s Day Observances (Religious and Cultural)
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Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1 – Catholic)
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Orthodox Christmas (January 7)
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Epiphany (January 6)
Churches and cultural organizations hold special services and gatherings.
Korean American Day
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A day that recognizes the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. Schools, community groups, and civic leaders highlight Korean American contributions in arts, science, and public service.
Civil Rights Day (State Observance)
Date: January 19, 2026
Several states mark Civil Rights Day instead of, or alongside, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Programs focus on civil rights history, equality, and education.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Museums, schools, and memorial groups organize events honoring victims and survivors. Many institutions run educational programs tied to tolerance and human rights.
Data Privacy Week (US Awareness Campaign)
Expected dates: January 25–31, 2026
Organizations share resources on cybersecurity, personal data protection, and safe digital habits. Tech companies often run workshops or public campaigns during this week.
Winter Festivals and Seasonal Celebrations Across the US
Winter Carnival (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Dates: Late January through early February
One of the oldest winter festivals in the country. Highlights include ice sculptures, parades, snow mazes, and family activities. It helps define Minnesota’s winter identity.
Snowdown (Durango, Colorado)
Dates: Late January 2026
A quirky winter festival known for costumes, themed events, and lighthearted competitions. Snowdown brings energy to the mountain town during its coldest season.
Anchorage Folk Festival (Alaska)
Dates: Second half of January
Local and regional musicians perform folk, bluegrass, and acoustic styles. Workshops and community dances run throughout the festival, attracting music lovers from all over the state.
Hot Air Balloon Festivals (Southwest)
Some southwestern states host winter balloon festivals in January when skies are clear. Arizona and New Mexico see colorful balloon launches, sunrise events, and photography gatherings.
Business, Travel, and Seasonal Notes for January 2026
Travel Trends
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Warmer destinations like Florida, Southern California, and Arizona see higher demand as travelers escape cold weather.
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Ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, and Lake Tahoe run at high capacity due to winter sports tourism.
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Festival-heavy cities experience temporary price increases, especially Park City during Sundance.
Retail and E-commerce
January sales follow two patterns:
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Post-holiday clearance during the first two weeks.
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New Year “reset” promotions tied to wellness, fitness, planning tools, and home organization products.
Brands often tie campaigns to specific January observances like MLK Day or Data Privacy Week.
Weather Considerations
January weather varies widely across the country.
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Northern states see heavy snow and wind.
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Southern states experience mild and dry conditions, which helps tourism.
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Storm systems can disrupt flights, so planning flexibility is important for anyone traveling to large events.
FAQs
1. How many federal holidays are in January 2026?
There are two: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
2. Is January a busy travel month in the US?
Yes. Ski resorts, warm-weather destinations, and festival cities see strong demand. Airline prices rise around major events.
3. What is the biggest event of January 2026?
The NFL Playoffs draw the most national attention, followed by the College Football Championship and Sundance Film Festival.
4. Do schools close for any holidays in January?
Yes. Schools close on January 1 and January 19. Weather-related closures can also happen in snowy states.
5. Are there major cultural festivals in the winter?
Yes. Art Deco Weekend, Sundance, St. Paul Winter Carnival, and Snowdown are some of the standout events.
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