Ohio State Holidays

Official Ohio State Holidays and local observances vary across the year, making it essential to have a reliable local calendar. While federal closures apply across the United States, Ohio officially recognizes unique state legal holidays and community observances deeply rooted in its rich Midwestern heritage, historic industrial innovation, and foundational presidential and aviation legacy.

Select a section below to explore official closure dates, discover top state parks, browse annual cultural festivals, and dive into fascinating state facts!

Ohio State Flag

Ohio State Flag

Bank Closures & Schedules

• Commercial Banking Schedules – While national banks follow the standard Federal Reserve calendar, local bank branches and state-chartered credit unions across the state typically mirror official state government holiday closures. Always call your local branch ahead of time to verify specific drive-thru and lobby hours on state-specific holidays.

Ohio State Holidays

Here is the summary of the official Ohio State Holidays closures that differ from the standard U.S. Federal Holiday schedule:

• November 27, 2026, and November 26, 2027: Day After Thanksgiving (Rule: Granted annually as a paid state agency holiday closing state government offices on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day)

Local Ohio Observance Days

These are designated commemorative periods across the state that are officially recognized by Ohio state statutes to honor historical figures, cultural heritage, and community milestones:

• March 1: Ohio Statehood Day (Rule: Fixed annual historical date celebrating March 1, 1803, when the Ohio General Assembly convened for the first time and officially established the 17th state admitted to the Union)

Weather & Environment-Related Ohio Observances:

These designated climate, wildlife, and natural hazard awareness periods serve as critical dates for emergency response, municipal safety drills, and seasonal resource tracking: (2027 Dates TBA)

• March 15–21, 2026: Severe Weather Awareness Week (Rule: Coordinated annually in mid-March by emergency management divisions and the NWS to prepare households for spring tornado and thunderstorm hazards)

• March 18, 2026: Statewide Tornado Drill (Rule: Conducted annually at 9:50 AM on the Wednesday of Severe Weather Awareness Week to prompt public safety drills in schools and businesses)

Map of Ohio

Ohio Trivia

• The Prolific Birthplace of American Presidents: Ohio is officially known as the "Mother of Presidents," serving as the birthplace of seven unique United States commanders-in-chief, including Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding.

• The Historic Cradle of Aviation Pioneers: Long before the Wright brothers took their famous flight in North Carolina, they completely designed, built, and tested their experimental gliders and aviation theories in their hometown bicycle shop located in Dayton, Ohio.

• The Birthplace of the First American to Orbit Earth: Legendary astronaut and longtime senator John Glenn was raised in New Concord, Ohio, and made history on February 20, 1962, when he piloted the Friendship 7 spacecraft to become the first American to successfully orbit the globe.

John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati is famously painted a distinct sky-blue color. It spans across the Ohio River to connect downtown Cincinnati with Covington, Kentucky.

State Facts, History & Symbols

Explore the core identity and rich heritage of the region with our comprehensive guide to its official state history, symbols, and unique characteristics:

• Ohio became the 17th State on March 1, 1803

• Ohio State Abbreviation: OH

• Ohio State Capital: Columbus

• Ohio State Amphibian: Spotted Salamander

• Ohio State Animal: White-tailed Deer

• Ohio State Bird: Northern Cardinal

• Ohio State Beverage: Tomato Juice

• Ohio State Fossil: Isotelus (Trilobite)

• Ohio State Flower: Scarlet Carnation

• Ohio State Wildflower: Large-flowered Trillium

• Ohio State Gemstone: Ohio Flint

• Ohio State Insect: Seven-spotted Ladybug

• Ohio State Native American Heritage Native Tree: Buckeye Tree

• Ohio State Nickname: The Buckeye State

• Ohio State Rock: Ohio Flint

• Ohio State Soil: Miamian Soil Series

• Ohio State Song: "Beautiful Ohio"

• Ohio State Tree: Ohio Buckeye

Overview of Ohio

Ohio, proudly known as the Buckeye State, is an industrious and centrally located Midwestern destination anchored by the winding Ohio River and the sweeping shores of Lake Erie.

Renowned for its historic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, iconic ancient Hopewell ceremonial earthworks, and the peaceful rolling farmlands of Amish Country, the Birthplace of Aviation seamlessly blends bustling industrial river cities with scenic sandstone gorges in Hocking Hills and massive Great Lakes shipping ports.

Watch the tourism showcase below to explore the industrial Great Lakes shipping ports, historic aviation landmarks, and peaceful rolling farmlands across Ohio:

Ohio Festivals and Events

Discover the most popular celebrations in the region with our curated list of the top 5 festivals and events, complete with their verified dates and annual scheduling rules.

• April 2027 (Date TBA): Cleveland International Film Festival at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio (Date Rule: Held annually over an eleven-day block in late March and early April, serving as one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest with hundreds of independent global films)

• May 28–30, 2027: Norwalk Strawberry Festival along the downtown business streets in Norwalk, Ohio. (Date Rule: Held annually from Friday to Sunday on Memorial Day weekend, celebrating the regional agricultural harvest with fruit-themed family games, massive parades, live music, and street craft vendors)

• July 28–August 8, 2027: Ohio State Fair at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. (Date Rule: Runs annually for twelve consecutive days concluding on the second Sunday of August, showcasing the state's agricultural achievements alongside livestock arenas, carnival midways, and headline concerts)

• August 6-8, 2027: Dublin Irish Festival at Coffman Park in Dublin, Ohio. (Date Rule: Held annually from Friday to Sunday on the first full weekend of August, standing as one of the largest Irish cultural festivals in the world, bringing together international Celtic musicians, traditional dancers, pipe bands, and cultural exhibitors)

• October 2027 (Dates TBA): All American Quarter Horse Congress at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio (Date Rule: Runs for approximately four weeks concluding annually on the fourth Sunday of October, standing as the world's largest single-breed horse show featuring extensive equestrian competitions and a massive trade show expo)

Marblehead Lighthouse

Pictured above is the Marblehead Lighthouse in Marblehead, Ohio that is the oldest lighthouse still in operation on the American side of the Great Lakes. It is on Lake Erie and was first lit in 1822.

National Parks in Ohio

Ohio features a magnificent collection of diverse historic gems, cultural preserves, and ecological wonders managed under the federal National Park Service (NPS) system:

• Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument: Located in Wilberforce, this historic site honors the incredible military legacy, leadership, and educational achievements of Colonel Charles Young, a pioneering African American army officer and commanding officer of the Buffalo Soldiers.

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Spanning a massive wilderness oasis between Cleveland and Akron, this beautiful national park features the winding Cuyahoga River, cascading waterfalls like Brandywine Falls, and the historic towpath trail of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park: Situated in Dayton, this vital multi-site park preserves the bicycle shop, original printing press, and flying fields where Wilbur and Orville Wright, alongside acclaimed poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, pioneered global aviation history.

• Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this series of monumental earthworks preserves massive, complex geometric earthen enclosures hand-built by ancient indigenous cultures thousands of years ago for sacred ceremonial gatherings.

• Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial: Rising dramatically over the waters of Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay, this colossal 352-foot Doric column commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's decisive naval victory in the War of 1812 and celebrates long-lasting peace between nations.

For additional information on National Parks and historic trails across the state, visit the official National Park Service Ohio Portal.

State Parks in Ohio

The Ohio State Park System features an exceptional public network of outdoor destinations across pristine lake resorts, massive limestone gorges, and rolling sandstone wilderness areas. Here are the Top 5 most visited or unique state parks:

• Geneva State Park: Operating as a premier resort destination on the central shores of Lake Erie, this popular park features a massive full-service public marina, expansive sandy swimming beaches, and scenic overwater rental cottages right on the lake.

• Hocking Hills State Park: World-famous for its jaw-dropping natural beauty, this iconic park features a dramatic network of towering black hand sandstone cliffs, deep hemlock-shaded gorges, hidden recess caves, and cascading waterfalls like Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls.

• John Bryan State Park: Spanning a rugged limestone river corridor near Yellow Springs, this beautiful park features the breathtaking Little Miami River gorge, a designated National Natural Landmark lined with sheer 100-foot stone cliffs and winding footpaths.

• Maumee Bay State Park: Boasting a panoramic resort landscape along the scenic shores of northwestern Lake Erie, this highly visited park offers an elegant public lodge, championship golf courses, and an extensive boardwalk trail weaving through rare coastal marshlands.

• Salt Fork State Park: Serving as Ohio's largest state park, this massive rolling wilderness features a colossal 2,900-acre reservoir, thousands of acres of dense hardwood forests, a premier resort lodge, and miles of public hiking trails.

You can explore the full interactive public map and check localized entry permits directly through the official Ohio Department of Natural Resources Portal.

Ohio Resources

• Official State Government Portal: ohio.gov

• Official Ohio Tourism Website: ohio.org

• Official U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Ohio: census.gov

• Official Ohio State Wikipedia Page: wikipedia.org

Pinterest Board of Ohio

Holidays and Observances Ohio Pinterest Board – Follow our dedicated visual board for hand-picked inspiration, regional festival galleries, historical industrial and agricultural traditions, and scenic travel highlights across the Buckeye State. Discover everything that makes celebrating life in Ohio unique!