The February 2026 calendar opens on Sunday, February 1, and closes on Saturday, February 28, making it a standard 28-day month in the United States. All fixed national holidays, federal observances, and annual awareness periods for this month are already confirmed, allowing families, businesses, schools, and government offices to plan schedules with accuracy well in advance.
February is one of the most symbolically important months on the American calendar. It blends a major federal holiday, widely observed cultural celebrations, health awareness campaigns, and long-standing traditions that shape school timetables, travel patterns, and economic activity.
Structure of the February 2026 Calendar
February 2026 contains four full weeks and follows a clean Sunday-to-Saturday alignment. This structure is especially useful for payroll cycles, academic planning, and government operations because the month has no partial fifth week and no leap day.
Month Layout
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
This arrangement places the third Monday of the month on February 16, which is significant for federal holiday scheduling.
Federal Holiday in February 2026
Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 16
Presidents’ Day, officially recognized as Washington’s Birthday, is the only federal holiday in February. It is observed on the third Monday each year and honors the legacy of U.S. presidents, with special historical emphasis on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
On this day:
- Federal offices are closed
- Many state and local government offices close
- Banks and financial institutions adjust operations
- Schools often schedule mid-winter breaks
- Retailers launch nationwide holiday promotions
- Domestic travel increases due to the long weekend
For businesses, the February 2026 calendar places Presidents’ Day in the middle of the month, which can affect payroll processing, shipping schedules, and customer service operations.
Fixed-Date Cultural Celebrations
Groundhog Day – February 2
Groundhog Day remains a widely recognized American tradition centered on folklore predicting the length of winter. While not an official holiday, it continues to receive national media attention and is commonly referenced in schools and local community events.
Valentine’s Day – February 14
Valentine’s Day in 2026 falls on a Saturday. This weekend placement is significant for several reasons:
- Restaurants see higher reservation demand
- Travel and hotel bookings increase
- Gift sales extend across the full weekend
- Entertainment venues schedule special events
- Couples often plan short getaways
The weekend timing typically leads to a longer celebration period than when the holiday falls on a weekday.
Month-Long National Observances
Black History Month
Observed throughout February, Black History Month honors the achievements, history, and cultural contributions of African Americans. Across the United States, schools, universities, museums, libraries, and cultural centers organize:
- Educational programs
- Public lectures and discussions
- Historical exhibitions
- Community celebrations
- Student activities and curriculum units
This observance plays a central role in the February 2026 calendar for academic institutions and cultural organizations.
American Heart Month
February is also designated as American Heart Month, focusing on cardiovascular health awareness. Healthcare systems and public health agencies use this month to promote:
- Heart disease prevention
- Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings
- Healthy eating education
- Physical activity awareness
- Risk-reduction campaigns
Public buildings, workplaces, and schools often participate in wellness initiatives tied to this national focus.
Other National Awareness Observances
Several additional themes and recognitions appear each year in February and remain fixed for 2026:
- Children’s Dental Health Month
- National Bird Feeding Month
- National Cherry Month
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
These observances influence educational programming, nonprofit outreach, and community events throughout the month.
Important Single-Day Observances
The February 2026 calendar includes a variety of nationally recognized awareness days that are commonly acknowledged in schools, media, and public institutions:
- February 4 – World Cancer Day
- February 7 – National Wear Red Day (first Friday of the month)
- February 9 – National Pizza Day
- February 11 – National Inventors’ Day
- February 20 – World Day of Social Justice
- February 22 – George Washington’s Birthday (traditional date)
While not federal holidays, these days are widely observed and often featured in educational and workplace programming.
Week-Long Recognitions
National Engineers Week: February 22–28, 2026
National Engineers Week runs from the Sunday of the week containing Washington’s Birthday through the end of February. The observance highlights the role of engineers in innovation, infrastructure, and technology development.
During this week, many U.S. schools, universities, government agencies, and private companies host:
- STEM outreach programs
- Career awareness events
- Student competitions
- Industry presentations
- Community demonstrations
The timing at the close of the month makes it a major feature of the late-February calendar.
Astronomical Highlight
Full Moon – February 1, 2026
February 2026 begins with a full moon on the first day of the month, often referred to as the Snow Moon. This is the only full moon in February that year and is traditionally associated with winter conditions in North America. The event draws interest from astronomers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
How February 2026 Impacts U.S. Schedules
Because February has fewer days than any other month except during leap years, its structure has practical effects on:
- Payroll and accounting cycles
- School semester planning
- Federal and state processing timelines
- Benefit disbursement schedules
- Court and legal calendars
- Retail and promotional planning
With Presidents’ Day creating a three-day weekend and Valentine’s Day landing on a Saturday, mid-month activity is expected to be especially concentrated in travel, dining, and retail sectors.
Education and School Calendars
In many U.S. school districts, February includes:
- Mid-winter breaks aligned with Presidents’ Day
- Black History Month programming and assemblies
- Heart health education initiatives
- Science and engineering activities during Engineers Week
Colleges and universities often schedule academic conferences, cultural events, and wellness campaigns around these nationally recognized dates.
Business and Retail Planning
For businesses, the February 2026 calendar is important for:
- Long-weekend sales tied to Presidents’ Day
- Valentine’s Day marketing campaigns
- Health-focused promotions during Heart Month
- Community engagement during Black History Month
- STEM recruitment efforts during Engineers Week
The weekend placement of Valentine’s Day can lead to extended promotional windows and higher consumer spending.
Government and Workplace Considerations
Federal agencies, courts, and many state offices observe Presidents’ Day, which affects:
- Mail delivery schedules
- Licensing and permit processing
- Public service availability
- Banking and financial transactions
Private employers often align holiday policies and shift schedules with the federal calendar.
Key Dates Summary
- February 1 – Full Moon and first day of the month
- February 2 – Groundhog Day
- February 4 – World Cancer Day
- February 7 – National Wear Red Day
- February 9 – National Pizza Day
- February 11 – National Inventors’ Day
- February 14 – Valentine’s Day
- February 16 – Presidents’ Day (Federal Holiday)
- February 20 – World Day of Social Justice
- February 22–28 – National Engineers Week
- February 28 – Last day of the month
Why the February 2026 Calendar Matters
The February 2026 calendar brings together history, culture, health, and national observance in a compact four-week period. Its structure supports precise planning for families, educators, employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies. With no leap day and a clearly defined federal holiday schedule, it offers consistency and predictability across the country.
From honoring American presidents and celebrating love to recognizing Black history and promoting heart health, February 2026 reflects both tradition and public awareness in the United States.
As the month approaches, keeping track of these confirmed dates ensures smoother planning and helps everyone make the most of everything February 2026 has to offer.