By vmg@gmail.com 
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will have the day off for Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
According to official district calendars, both Escambia County Public Schools and Santa Rosa County District Schools will be closed to students in observance of the federal holiday.
Here’s what parents, students and residents need to know.
🏫 Escambia County Schools
- ❌ No school for students on Monday, Feb. 16
- 📚 Teachers will have a professional development day
- ✅ Classes resume Tuesday, Feb. 17
🏫 Santa Rosa County Schools
- ❌ No school for students
- 📅 Listed as a holiday on the district calendar
- ✅ Classes resume Tuesday, Feb. 17
🌸 When Is Spring Break?
The next scheduled school holiday for both districts is spring break, which runs:
March 16–20, 2026
🇺🇸 What Is Presidents Day?
Presidents Day began in 1879 as a holiday honoring George Washington, the first president of the United States.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moving the celebration from Washington’s actual birthday (Feb. 22) to the third Monday of February.
Because Abraham Lincoln’s birthday falls on Feb. 12, the holiday gradually became known as Presidents Day, recognizing all U.S. presidents.
However, the federal government still officially refers to the holiday as Washington’s Birthday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
🏛️ What Will Be Closed on Presidents Day?
As a federal holiday, many government services and financial institutions will be closed Monday, Feb. 16.
Closed:
- Federal, state and local government offices
- U.S. Postal Service (no mail delivery)
- Banks (including major national branches)
- Stock markets
Open:
- Most retail stores
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Private businesses (varies by company)
📆 Full List of 2026 Federal Holidays
According to the Office of Personnel Management, federal holidays in 2026 are:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, Jan. 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, Jan. 19 |
| Washington’s Birthday / Presidents Day | Monday, Feb. 16 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 25 |
| Juneteenth | Friday, June 19 |
| Independence Day (Observed) | Friday, July 3 |
| Labor Day | Monday, Sept. 7 |
| Columbus Day | Monday, Oct. 12 |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, Nov. 11 |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, Nov. 26 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, Dec. 25 |
📌 Quick Summary
- ✔ Escambia and Santa Rosa schools are closed Feb. 16.
- ✔ Teachers in Escambia have a professional development day.
- ✔ Classes resume Feb. 17.
- ✔ Banks, post offices and stock markets will be closed.
- ✔ Spring break begins March 16.