SACRAMENTO — Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed as a federal holiday this Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. The holiday means many services will be closed and park entry fees will change across the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced via social media that more than 200 state parks throughout California will offer free admission on Monday to honor the holiday. The goal is to encourage more people to enjoy the parks.
Unlike state parks, national parks will still charge entry fees. Due to an executive order from the Trump administration, national parks no longer offer free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth.
Because Jan. 19 is a federal holiday, several core services will shut down. The United States Postal Service will not deliver mail or open post offices. Banks, the stock market, public schools, libraries, and most government offices will also be closed for the day.
Public transit will continue to run as usual during the holiday. For private businesses, hours vary by company. Costco will stay open, while most Kaiser Permanente medical offices and labs will be closed.
President Ronald Reagan established Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in November 1983. The day is observed annually on the third Monday of January.
After Monday's holiday, the next state and federal holiday is Presidents’ Day on Feb. 16, 2026. California also officially recognizes Cesar Chavez Day as a state holiday on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
