Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday? What to know for 2026

Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday?

The country is nearing the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This tragic day in 2001 forever altered the lives of New Yorkers and those across the country after planes were flown into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Every year on the anniversary, Americans honor the over 3,000 lives that were lost and the permanent scar of the horrific event that has been permanently woven into the fabric of the nation.

Communities across New York State and the country will hold thousands of tributary events and commemorations to honor the 25th anniversary, but how is the day observed annually at the federal level?

Here is what to know about the status of Sept. 11 on

the federal calendar and how the day will be honored across New York in 2026.

Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday?

A journalist films a video during a preview of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s newest exhibition,

No, Sept. 11 is not an official federal holiday in America.

Sept. 11 is officially recognized as Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, where Americans are encouraged to honor the victims, but government offices, public services and businesses generally remain open and operate normally.

Congress has received and considered proposals to make the day a federal holiday, like that of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's bipartisan Patriot Day Act (H.R. 911), but none have been passed into law.

In 2025, Fitzpatrick renewed his push to get the legislation passed, which would designate Sept. 11 as "a federal holiday of remembrance, reflection, and service."

"Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken, yet America answered with unity and service," Fitzpatrick said in his 2025 press release. "The Patriot Day Act turns that response into a lasting obligation — guaranteeing every American the chance to pause, reflect, and renew our commitment to those values. ‘Never Forget’ must be a national duty, permanently woven into our laws and our way of life."

Do flags fly at half-staff on Sept. 11?

To honor each victim lost Sept. 11, 2001, 2,977 miniature U.S. flags are planted in the grass of Rochester Institute of Technology's Henrietta, New York, campus in 2025. .

Yes, American flags do fly at half-staff on Sept. 11 each year.

While Sept. 11 has not officially become a federal holiday as of 2026, federal law requires the president to issue an annual Patriot Day proclamation directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on Sept. 11.

This flag observance is one of the many annual commemorations held across the country to honor those we lost and those who united to respond to the tragedy.

Here is what to know about some upcoming local commemorations and ceremonies across New York State in honor of the 25th anniversary.

NYC 9/11 25th anniversary commemorations and ceremonies

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and actor and activist Jon Stewart attend a news conference announcing the release of more than 170,000 pages of records related to air quality in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, at City Hall in New York, Sept. 8, 2026.

Commemoration Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, Sept. 11: The families of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be invited to attend a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza in New York City, where the names of the 2,983 men, women and children killed in the 2001 attacks and the Feb. 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center will be read aloud. This will be followed by 7 moments of silence. This event is not open to the public. Family members of victims can learn more information by visiting 911memorial.org. The public can watch the ceremony live through 911memorial.org/live and then pay tribute at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza when it reopens the afternoon of Sept. 11.
Tribute in Light, Sept. 11: This public art installation consisting of two beams of light will appear in the New York City night sky on Sept. 11. Buildings and landmarks across New York are also invited to light up in blue from dusk to dawn on Sept. 11.
Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance, Sept. 6: A memorial gathering to honor Father Mychal Judge, a New York City Fire Department Chaplain, who died ministering to firefighters at the World Trade Center. The gathering will be held at Father Mychal Judge Memorial, West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue, in Manhattan.
Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil, Sept. 10: This candlelight vigil to honor the first responders who died on 9/11 will be held at Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance at Maimonides Park, Coney Island at 6 p.m.
Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, Sept. 11: A memorial will be held at the FDNY Firefighters Memorial to honor the 343 FDNY members who died on 9/11.
Staten Island Postcards Memorial, Sept. 11: A memorial will be held at the Staten Island Postcards Memorial to honor the Staten Island community members who died on 9/11.
Dawn to Dusk Remembrance at Ten House, Sept. 11: The public will have the opportunity to visit the FDNY Ten House, which is located across the street from the World Trade Center site, throughout the day on Sept. 11 to pay their respects. FDNY Ten House is located at 124 Liberty Street in Manhattan.
New York Yankees vs. New York Mets Game, Sept. 11: This game at Yankee Stadium will be part of a three-game series from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13. The Sept. 11 game will include a ceremony at 6:30 p.m., which will feature tributes honoring the first responders and victims in the 9/11 attacks.
FDNY Fire Museum Visit, Sept. 11: The annual Wreath Laying ceremony at the FDNY Fire Museum will be held at 11:30 a.m. at 278 Spring Street in Manhattan.
NYC Still Rising, Sept. 10: A 9/11 charities comedy benefit at Madison Square Garden featuring Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Pete Davidson, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Josh Johnson, Cipha Sounds and Jon Stewart. Tickets can be purchased at MSG.com.
NYPD Pipes & Drums 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Concert, Sept. 12: This memorial concert will be held at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. To purchase tickets, visit NYPDpipesanddrums.com.

Upstate NY 9/11 25th anniversary commemorations and ceremonies

A 9/11 Vigil takes place at the Sentinel on Rochester Institute of Technology's campus in Henrietta, New York, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. It was hosted by the Colonel Andrew J. Dougherty Squadron of the Arnold Air Society.

Hudson Falls: American Legion Post 574 will hold a 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony on Sept. 11 at 10:00 AM in the Post’s pavilion, 72 Pearl Street in Hudson Falls. For more information, visit villageofhudsonfallsny.gov.
Albany: The Albany Police Department announced a 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance community volunteer and neighborhood cleanup initiative that will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Community members are asked to meet at the Albany Public Library at 8:30 a.m. and to bring shovels, gloves and hand tools.
Rochester: The East Rochester Fire Department will hold a 9/11 25th anniversary event to honor the victims on Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. It will be held at the East Rochester Fire Department, 415 Main Street in East Rochester.
Rochester: The New York Legacy of Heroes will hold a 9/11 remembrance ride and concert on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The escorted motorcycle run will depart from the Lakeshore Hockey Arena, 123 Ling Road in Rochester, and will end at Barnard Exempts, 410 Maiden Lane in Rochester. The motorcade will be followed by a 9/11 memorial ceremony, live music, vendors, and food and beverage trucks at Barnard Park. To purchase tickets, visit Nyloh.org.
Rochester: The Monroe Community College will hold its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. This event will be held at the Remembrance Monument outside Building 10 at MCC's Brighton Campus in Rochester. For more information, visit Monroecc.edu.
Rochester: Eastman School of Music's Horn Choir will hold a 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Concert on Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m. The concert will include members from the U.S. Army Field Band and will be held at Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs Street in Rochester. For more information, visit Esm.rochester.edu.
Buffalo: The Buffalo Fire Department is honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by selling 25th anniversary commemorative pint glasses for $20 each, and all of the proceeds will go to the WNYIA and to support the Wall of Gratitude project. Pre-orders can be made through square.link/u/lTtIpMup.
Utica: The 12th annual CNY Memorial Stair Climb will be held on Sept. 12 at 7 a.m. at the Utica State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street in Utica, to honor the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Buffalo: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run & Walk will be held on Sept. 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the Bellevue Fire Company, 511 Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga. Money from the run goes to support victims and families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. For more information or to register, visit runwalkbuffalo.t2t.org.

—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York State. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday? What to know for 2026