The Postal Service announces its stamp program in waves throughout the year, so no single January press release ever contains the full calendar. This page tracks the confirmed 2026 USPS stamp release schedule as announcements roll out, with issue dates, first-day cities, and what collectors should watch. Last updated August 2026.
## Confirmed 2026 Releases: January Through March
| Stamp | Release Date | First-Day City |
|—|—|—|
| Angel’s Trumpets | Jan. 9 | Kenosha, WI |
| Love | Jan. 13 | No ceremony |
| Muhammad Ali | Jan. 15 | Louisville, KY |
| Colorado Statehood (150th) | Jan. 24 | Denver, CO |
| Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley | Jan. 29 | Boston, MA |
| Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse | Feb. 3 | Houston, TX |
| Bruce Lee | Feb. 18 | Seattle, WA |
| Harriet Powers | Feb. 28 | Washington, DC |
| Lowriders | March 13 | San Diego, CA |
| Sunflowers | March 14 | Strongsville, OH |
## Confirmed 2026 Releases: April Through July
| Stamp | Format | Release Date | First-Day City |
|—|—|—|—|
| Figures of the American Revolution | Forever | April 10 | Washington, DC |
| Happy Birthday | Forever | April 18 | Providence, RI |
| A Day at the Beach | Forever | April 24 | Burlingame, CA |
| Route 66 | Forever | May 5 | Phoenix, AZ |
| Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult | Forever | May 14 | Wabasha, MN |
| Summer Sunset | Nonprofit bulk mail | June 25 | Edgartown, MA |
| Declaration of Independence (250th anniversary) | Forever | July 4 | Philadelphia, PA |
The July 4 Declaration of Independence issue in Philadelphia is the centerpiece of the year: 2026 is the nation’s semiquincentennial, and the Revolution-themed issues around it are strong candidates for topical collections built on the 250th anniversary.
## Confirmed 2026 Releases: August Through Year End
| Stamp | Format | Release Date | First-Day City |
|—|—|—|—|
| Diagonal U.S. Flag | Stamped envelope | Aug. 7 | Linthicum Heights, MD |
| Sarah Orne Jewett | Literary Arts | Aug. 21 | South Berwick, ME |
| U.S. Coast Guard Academy | Forever | Sept. 12 | New London, CT |
| Global Winter Wreath | Global (international rate) | Sept. 18 | Humble, TX |
| Christmas Cookies | Forever | Sept. 19 | Washington, DC |
| Kwanzaa | Forever | Sept. 23 | Norfolk, VA |
| Squirrels and Chipmunks in Snow | Forever | Sept. 25 | Brookfield, WI |
| Hanukkah | Forever | Sept. 29 | New Orleans, LA |
| Christmas: Madonna and Child | Forever | Oct. 2 | Williamstown, MA |
| Know the Facts About Fentanyl | Semipostal | Oct. 6 | Bethesda, MD |
| Diwali | Forever | October (date TBA) | TBA |
## How USPS Release Dates Work
Each stamp gets an official first day of issue, usually with a dedication ceremony in a city connected to the subject (Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Route 66 in Phoenix, the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia). Stamps typically go on sale nationwide the same day at Post Offices and usps.com, but first-day-of-issue postmarks come only from the designated city, which is why the location matters to collectors. USPS accepts requests for first-day cancellations by mail for a window after each release.
## Collecting Tips for the 2026 Program
Buy mint singles or panes at the counter in the release window if you want them at face value; once an issue sells out, the secondary market sets the price. For first-day covers, either service your own envelopes through the first-day cancellation program or buy prepared covers from dealers. The anniversary issues (Declaration of Independence, Figures of the American Revolution, Colorado Statehood) are likely to see the heaviest first-day demand this year. Semipostals like the fentanyl awareness stamp sell above the First-Class rate, with the surcharge going to the designated cause, and they often make interesting topical additions.
Modern issues are printed in large quantities, so most 2026 stamps will remain face-value material for years. Collect them for the designs and the story, not as an investment. If you are weighing what modern material is worth holding, our guide to [whether forever stamps increase in value](https://westcoaststamps.com/u-s-stamp-types-collectible-formats/do-forever-stamps-increase-in-value-a-collectors-guide/) covers the honest math.
## Where to Confirm Updates
USPS announces additional dates and ceremony locations through the year via its Newsroom at about.usps.com. This page is updated as new 2026 issues are confirmed. If you spot an announcement we have not added yet, the Newsroom listing is the authoritative source.
Building a collection around new issues, or have older material you are ready to part with? [Get a stamp appraisal](https://westcoaststamps.com/stamp-appraisal/) from our team.
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