When Is Labor Day 2027: Date, Countdown, What's Closed & History
Table of Contents (10 sections)
- How Many Days Until Labor Day?
- Labor Day Dates from 2026 to 2036
- Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
- From a New York Parade to a Federal Holiday
- Who Founded Labor Day?
- Is Labor Day a Federal Holiday?
- What's Open and Closed on Labor Day
- How Americans Spend Labor Day
- Labor Day in Other Countries
- See Labor Day on Your Calendar
Labor Day honors American workers, and for many people it means a three-day weekend at the start of September. The date changes every year, but the rule is simple. Here is the date for 2027 and the years ahead, what is open and closed, and how a workers' parade in New York City turned into a national holiday.
Labor Day 2027 is on Monday, September 6.
It is always the first Monday in September, which gives a three-day weekend from Saturday, September 4 to Monday, September 6. That is 306 days from today.
Next year, Labor Day 2028 is on Monday, September 4, 2028.
Quick summary
- Date: the first Monday in September, so always between September 1 and September 7.
- Federal holiday: yes, since 1894.
- Closed: federal offices, post offices, most banks and the stock market.
- Why: it honors the labor movement and the work of American workers.
- Canada: Labour Day falls on the same Monday.
How Many Days Until Labor Day?
Labor Day 2027 is on Monday, September 6, 2027. That is 306 days from today.
The countdown uses the clock on your own device and switches to next year's date by itself once the holiday has passed.
Labor Day Dates from 2026 to 2036
| Year | Labor Day | Long weekend |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, September 7 (past) | Sep 5 to Sep 7 |
| 2027 | Monday, September 6 (next) | Sep 4 to Sep 6 |
| 2028 | Monday, September 4 | Sep 2 to Sep 4 |
| 2029 | Monday, September 3 | Sep 1 to Sep 3 |
| 2030 | Monday, September 2 | Aug 31 to Sep 2 |
| 2031 | Monday, September 1 | Aug 30 to Sep 1 |
| 2032 | Monday, September 6 | Sep 4 to Sep 6 |
| 2033 | Monday, September 5 | Sep 3 to Sep 5 |
| 2034 | Monday, September 4 | Sep 2 to Sep 4 |
| 2035 | Monday, September 3 | Sep 1 to Sep 3 |
| 2036 | Monday, September 1 | Aug 30 to Sep 1 |
The first Monday of September can only fall between September 1 and September 7. It next lands on September 1 in 2031 and on September 7 in 2037.
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
Labor Day grew out of the labor movement of the late 1800s, when many Americans worked long days, six or seven days a week, often in unsafe conditions. Unions organized parades and picnics to show their strength and to call for better pay and shorter hours. The holiday was meant to honor workers and what they had built.
From a New York Parade to a Federal Holiday
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1882 | The first Labor Day is held in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, following the plans of the Central Labor Union. |
| 1883 | New York holds a second Labor Day on September 5. |
| 1885 to 1886 | Some cities pass local ordinances to recognize the day. |
| 1887 | Oregon becomes the first state to pass a Labor Day law, on February 21. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York follow the same year. |
| 1894 | By now 23 more states have adopted the holiday. On June 28, President Grover Cleveland signs the law that makes the first Monday in September a federal holiday. |
In 2027, Labor Day is 133 years old as a federal holiday.
Who Founded Labor Day?
Nobody is completely sure. According to the US Department of Labor, two men with almost the same name get the credit. Some records point to Peter J. McGuire, a carpenters' union leader, who suggested a holiday for working people in 1882. More recent research supports Matthew Maguire, a machinist who was secretary of New York's Central Labor Union that year.
Is Labor Day a Federal Holiday?
Yes. Labor Day is one of the 11 federal holidays set by law (5 U.S.C. 6103), so federal employees get a paid day off. Many private employers give the day off too, but there is no federal rule that makes them close.
What's Open and Closed on Labor Day
| Place or service | On Labor Day |
|---|---|
| Federal offices | Closed |
| Post offices (USPS) | Closed, with no regular mail delivery |
| Banks | Most are closed, because the Federal Reserve is closed. ATMs and online banking still work. |
| Stock market (NYSE and Nasdaq) | Closed |
| Bond market | Closed, following SIFMA's recommendation |
| Public schools | Closed in most districts |
| Stores and malls | Open, and many run Labor Day sales |
How Americans Spend Labor Day
- Parades: the holiday began with a parade in New York City, and many towns still hold one.
- Cookouts and picnics: the first Labor Day in 1882 ended with a picnic, and cookouts are still a popular way to spend the day.
- A long weekend: Labor Day weekend is often called the unofficial end of summer.
- Back to school: in many districts, classes start shortly before or after Labor Day.
- Football: the college football season usually starts around Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day in Other Countries
The US and Canada mark workers in September, but most of the world uses a different date:
| Where | Name | When |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Canada | Labour Day | First Monday in September |
| Many other countries | International Workers' Day, also called May Day | May 1 |
See Labor Day on Your Calendar
Print the September 2027 calendar with Labor Day already marked, or see every holiday of the year on the USA holidays 2027 page. Any other month is on our printable monthly calendar. If you want the whole month in one place, our September calendar guide covers every holiday and key date in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Labor Day 2027?
Labor Day 2027 is on Monday, September 6, 2027. It is always the first Monday in September.
When is Labor Day 2028?
Labor Day 2028 is on Monday, September 4, 2028.
Is Labor Day a federal holiday?
Yes. It has been a federal holiday since 1894. Federal offices, post offices and most banks close, and the stock market is closed.
Why is Labor Day in September and not May?
The first US Labor Day parade was held in New York City in September 1882, and the September date stuck. Most other countries honor workers on May 1.
Who created Labor Day?
It is not certain. The US Department of Labor says the credit goes either to Peter J. McGuire, a carpenters' union leader, or to Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of New York's Central Labor Union.
Is mail delivered on Labor Day?
No. Post offices are closed and there is no regular mail delivery.
Is Labor Day the same day in Canada?
Yes. Canada's Labour Day is also the first Monday in September.
