Printable List of U.S. Federal Holidays

The difference between federal holidays and religious holidays

The U.S. recognizes just one religious holiday as a federal holiday - Christmas Day. All other religious holidays across traditions do not have recognition as federal holidays. However, as an employer, it is important to note that by law you have an obligation to make reasonable accommodations for employees celebrating religious holidays.

For example, Muslim employees may wish for time off to celebrate their holidays, two of the major ones being Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. To accommodate various religious beliefs and the holidays that come with them, many employers turn to offering floating holidays. Floating holidays are days off that employees can use for time off for a variety of reasons, including observations of their religious holidays.

Federal holidays

The U.S. Federal Government recognizes eleven holidays. While some federal holidays land on different days each year (more on that in a bit), there are a handful that fall on the same day each year:

• New Year's Day - January 1
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - the third Monday in January
• President's Day - the third Monday in February
• Memorial Day - the last Monday in May
• Juneteenth - June 19
• Independence Day - July 4
• Labor Day - the first Monday in September
• Columbus Day - the second Monday in October*
• Veterans Day - November 11
• Thanksgiving Day - the fourth Thursday in November
• Christmas Day - December 25

Multiple states and the District of Columbia now observe Native American or Indigenous Peoples' Day, in place of or in addition to Columbus Day. We recommend checking with your city and/or state to check for updates.

2024 federal holidays

In 2024, the federal holidays in the United States fall on the following dates:

2024 Federal Holidays

• New Year's Day - Saturday, January 1, 2024
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 15, 2024
• President's Day - Monday, February 19, 2024
• Memorial Day - Monday, May 27, 2024
• Juneteenth - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
• Independence Day - Thursday, July 4, 2024
• Labor Day - Monday, September 2, 2024
• Columbus Day - Monday, October 14, 2024
• Veterans Day - Monday, November 11, 2024
• Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25, 2024

2025 federal holidays

In 2025, the federal holidays in the United States fall on the following dates:

• New Year's Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 20, 2025
• Presidents' Day: Monday, February 17, 2025
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2025
• Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thursday, June 19, 2025
• Independence Day: Friday, July 4, 2025
• Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
• Columbus Day: Monday, October 13, 2025
• Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27, 2025
• Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25, 2025

State specific holidays

Some states have their own state-wide holidays that are typically observed by state governments, banks, and many private companies as well. Be sure to check with your state government for the specific holidays where you are, but some of the major state holidays include:

Yearly Major State Holidays

• California's Rosa Parks Day - February 4
• Alabama and Louisiana's Mardi Gras Day - February 21
• Texas's Independence Day - March 2
• Alaska's Seward's Day - March 27
• Several states' Good Friday - April 7
• Nebraska's Arbor Day - April 28
• Utah's Pioneer Day - July 24
• Hawaii's Statehood Day - August 18
• Nevada's Family Day - November 24

Do I have to give employees time off on federal holidays?

Currently, there is no federal law that requires employers to give their workers a holiday off of work. Therefore, as an employer, you do not have to give employees federal holidays off unless you're a financial institution or government entity. Additionally, if an employer does give their employees holidays off, they do not have to pay employees for that time.

That said, just because it's not a requirement for employers to give employees holidays off or pay for any time off, the vast majority of employers choose to offer many if not all federal and state holidays off as an employee benefit. It's used as a way to keep employees happy, productive, and satisfied. In today's war for talent, it's become more important than ever to do so. Ultimately, giving your employees not only holidays off - but paid holidays off - tends to generate much more good than harm. All it takes to accommodate is a little planning ahead.

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