DC Metro Holiday Hours 2026: Federal Holiday Schedule

The DC Metro (Metrorail) operates on a Sunday schedule during most federal holidays, with service starting at 6:00 AM and ending at midnight. The only exception is Independence Day (July 4th), when Metro operates longer hours up to 2:00 AM and offers free rides after 5:00 PM. Always check the schedule at WMATA.co to determine when to travel during holidays.

Does DC Metro Run on Holidays?

Yes, DC Metro operates on all federal holidays. WMATA does not shut down during holidays, but changes the schedule to show low ridership during most holidays. The usual practice is to run on a Sunday service pattern - that is, trains start at 6.00 AM, finish at midnight, a on weekendson weekendsYear'sYear'sYear's DayYear's Day increased-than-normalincreased-than-normalthe the t and opea a lower rate on weekendshe weekend. On federal holidays, peak fares are not charged; off-peak fares are charged throughout the day.

The standard Sunday schedule of holidays has two prominent exceptions:

1. July 4th (Independence Day): Service all day until around 2:00 AM; after 5:00 PM, free rides because of fireworks and activities at the National Mall.
2. New Year Eve/Day: WMATA often extends operations and provides free rides at night on December 31; January 1 is usually a regular Sunday schedule that opens at 7:00 AM.

DC Metro Holiday Schedule 2026 (All Federal Holidays)

The table below covers the complete 2026 federal holiday schedule for DC Metro Metrorail service. All holidays not noted as "Extended" or "Modified" follow the standard Sunday schedule.

DC Metro Hours on New Year's Day

Service on New Year day is normally started at 7:00 AM, an hour later than a regular Sunday opening, indicating the lower ridership in the early morning hours following the celebrations of the previous night. Service till midnight. During the day, off-peak fares are charged.

DC Metro Hours on MLK Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has a regular Sunday schedule: trains run at 6:00 AM and shut down at midnight. The attendance is average, and the tourists are visiting the monuments and memorials of the National Mall. There are no maximum fares.

DC Metro Hours on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is on the last Monday of May. Metro operates on Sundays. The National Memorial Day Concert celebrated on the National Mall and other events conducted by the veterans attract more people to the stations served by the Green/Yellow Line and those stations located in the downtown. Anticipate an increased than normal Sunday ridership around the stations at Smithsonian and L'Enfant Plaza.

DC Metro Hours on July 4th (Independence Day)

The busiest holiday at DC Metro is the Independence Day. The trains run between 6:00 AM and about 2:00 AM the next morning. Regular prices are charged up to 5:00 PM. Rides on Metrorail and Metrobus are free after 5:00 PM untilthe run run  end of service - a WMATA tradition to assist in accessing fireworks at the National Mall and citywide events.

Riders should expect:

• Trains between approximately 9:00 PM and 12:30 AM with standing-room-only.
• Long queues at the L'EnfantL'EnfantSmithsonian, LEnfants Plaza,   TriangleTriangleL'Enfant SmithsonianL'Enfant SmithsonianL'EnfantL'Enfant and Federal triangle as well as Archives-Navy Memorial stations.
• Additional Metro personnel in busy stations.
• Potential metered access at busy stations to deal with platform congestion.

DC Metro Hours on Labor Day

The Labor Day schedule is the same as Sunday: 6:00 AM to midnight. This is a moderate holiday as compared to the summer holiday peak in terms of ridership. There are off-peak fares throughout the day.

DC Metro Hours on Thanksgiving

The schedule of Thanksgiving Day is based on Sundays: 6:00 AM to midnight. The morning and early afternoon are low in ridership, which increases in the evening when people are traveling to dine and family events. On the day following Thanksgiving (Black Friday), it is a regular weekday day with full peak-hour service and fares.

DC Metro Hours on Christmas Day

The Metro service usually starts at 7:00 AM on Christmas Day (adjusted Sunday schedule with delayed opening). Service until midnight. There are numerous tourists who come to see the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums,,a a Year's EveYear's Eve,holidaythe the the the the travel. The travel . Thethe the  (some are still open), and tourist attractions. All day there are off-peak fares.

Holidays When DC Metro Runs Extended Hours

Two holidays have a prolonged Metrorail service past the usual midnight closing time:

Independence Day (July 4): Service until ~2:00 AM with free rides from 5:00 PM. It is the holiday that Metrorail offers free ride to all its passengers.

New Year (December 31): Although it is not a federal holiday, WMATA has traditionally increased the length of Metro service on the evening of December 31 to permit partying. Service is generally operated up to around 2:00 AM on January 1 and free late-night rides are announced by WMATA each December.

Also, the Inauguration Day (January 20, every four years) is associated with significantly stretched and altered service - trains are open as early as 4:00 AM, and the highest prices can be charged in the morning to provide hundreds of thousands of participants with support.

Are Peak Fares Charged on DC Metro Holidays?

No. WMATA considers all federal holidays as off-peak fare days. Peak fares are not charged even when a holiday occurs on a weekday (e.g., when Thanksgiving is on a Thursday or Christmas on a Tuesday). All federal holidays are considered off-peak fares throughout the day of the service.

This is a crucial cost-saving fact to everyday commuters who are on holidays: although the Metro is operating on its regular weekday schedule, and it is on a partial holiday, the fare system switches to off-peak.

DC Metro Hours During Special Events

Beyond federal holidays, WMATA adjusts Metro service for major special events that bring large crowds to Washington DC.

Inauguration Day (Every 4 years, January 20):

• Earliest opening in Metro history: trains begin as early as 4:00 AM
• All six lines operate with increased frequency
• Certain stations may restrict entry/exit flow to manage crowds (Gallery Place, Judiciary Square, Union Station historically see closures or entry restrictions)
• Peak fares may apply during morning rush on Inauguration Day

Cherry Blossom Festival (Late March / Early April):

• Standard operating hours; no extended service
• Significantly increased ridership on Blue, Orange, and Silver lines to Smithsonian station
• Best stations for National Mall tidal basin access: Smithsonian (Blue/Orange/Silver) and L'Enfant Plaza (Blue/Orange/Silver/Green/Yellow)

National Mall Fireworks and Concerts (Various Dates):

• Events like the Independence Day Concert and Memorial Day Concert add significant ridership to Green, Yellow, and Blue Line stations near the Mall
• Post-event crowds at Smithsonian and L'Enfant Plaza stations can be intense for 30–45 minutes

Washington Nationals and DC United Home Games:

• Navy Yard–Ballpark station (Green Line) serves Nationals Park
• RFK Stadium area served by Stadium–Armory (Blue/Orange/Silver)
• Trains fill quickly after final outs; allow 20–40 minutes extra for post-game travelwith service operates onThe with service operates onThe offers ,,offers 

FAQ: DC Metro Holiday Hours

Q: Does DC Metro run on Christmas? 

A: Yes. DC Metro runs on Christmas Day on a modified Sunday schedule, typically opening at 7:00 AM and closing at midnight. Off-peak fares apply all day.

Q: Is the DC Metro free on July 4th? 

A: DC Metro is free after 5:00 PM on July 4th through the the , ,end of service. Normal fares apply before 5:00 PM. Service runs until approximately 2:00 AM.

Q: Does DC Metro run on Thanksgiving? 

A: Yes. DC Metro operates on Thanksgiving Day on a Sunday schedule, from 6:00 AM to midnight  frequency frequency schedule. ig, Numerous tourists comeNumerous tourists comeht with no peak fares charged.

Q: What is the DC Metro holiday schedule for 2026?

 A: Most 2026 federal holidays follow the Sunday schedule (6:00 AM–midnight). July 4th runs until 2:00 AM with free rides after 5:00 PM. Always verify at wmata.,     com as schedules can be updated.

Q: Does DC Metro charge peak fares on holidays? 

A: No. All federal holidays are off-peak fare days regardless of the day of the week.