Public Holidays in the United States
Complete list of official federal public holidays in the United States for , including all federally recognized national holidays. Data sourced live from official government records.
Found … public holidays in the United States for .
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About Public Holidays in the United States
The United States observes federal public holidays established under Title 5, United States Code, Section 6103 (5 U.S.C. § 6103). These are days designated as non-workdays for federal government employees and are recognized by banks, financial institutions, and many private employers across the country. There are currently 11 federal holidays on the US calendar, though the exact dates of some shift each year based on Monday-rule scheduling.
Several US federal holidays follow a fixed-Monday schedule to create long weekends. Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on the third Monday of January, honoring the civil rights leader's legacy. Presidents' Day (officially Washington's Birthday) is the third Monday in February. Memorial Day, which honors fallen military service members, is the last Monday in May. Labor Day, celebrating American workers, is the first Monday in September. Columbus Day falls on the second Monday in October and is observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many states and cities.
Other major US holidays have fixed dates. Independence Day is always July 4, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Veterans Day is always November 11, honoring all US military veterans (not to be confused with Memorial Day, which specifically honors those killed in service). Christmas Day is December 25. When any of these fixed-date holidays fall on a Saturday, they are observed the preceding Friday; when they fall on a Sunday, they are observed the following Monday.
Thanksgiving is unique among US holidays: it falls on the fourth Thursday of November, meaning its date shifts each year. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the country, often accompanied by a "Black Friday" shopping event the next day. New Year's Day on January 1 and Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) — added to the federal calendar in 2021 — complete the roster of 11 federal holidays.
It's important to note that individual US states can establish their own additional public holidays, and private employers are not legally required to observe federal holidays. However, most financial institutions and many businesses treat federal holidays as official days off.
Frequently Asked Questions — US Holidays
How many federal holidays are in the US?
The United States has 11 federal public holidays established by 5 U.S.C. § 6103. These are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday), Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Individual states may observe additional holidays not on the federal list.
Is Columbus Day a federal holiday?
Yes, Columbus Day is an official US federal holiday, observed on the second Monday of October. However, many US states, cities, and counties choose to observe it as Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of or in addition to Columbus Day, recognizing the history and cultures of Native American peoples. Several states have replaced Columbus Day entirely on their official calendars.
When is Thanksgiving in the US ?
Thanksgiving in the United States always falls on the fourth Thursday of November. The exact date shifts each year. To find the precise date for the current year, see the holiday table above, which loads live data. Note that Canadian Thanksgiving is a separate holiday observed on the second Monday of October.
Are federal holidays paid in the US?
Federal holidays are guaranteed paid days off for federal government employees. However, private employers in the United States are not legally required to give employees paid time off on federal holidays — this is governed by individual employment contracts and company policies. Many private employers do follow federal holidays, but it is not mandated by federal law. Some states have stronger holiday pay requirements under state law.
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