Federal Holidays in the USA 2027: Essential Dates for HR Teams

As you plan ahead for 2027, it's helpful to keep the federal holiday schedule in mind. There are 11 federal holidays designated by US federal law. On these days, federal employees receive paid time off. Private businesses are not required to observe federal or state holidays, but many choose to close on these days. If they stay open, it is common to pay time-and-a-half or double time to workers.

Federal holidays hold historical significance or cultural importance and are observed across the nation. Government offices, banks, and many businesses often close on these dates, giving you the chance to commemorate the occasions or appreciate a day of rest.

Knowing when federal holidays are coming up not only helps with planning your work schedule for the year ahead but also keeps you informed about significant moments of national unity and reflection. Whether these holidays offer an opportunity for a workplace celebration or a pause for remembrance, they are key markers of the nation's shared values and history.

Types of Public Holiday in the United States

Federal holidays are observed across the United States and on these days, federal employees receive paid holiday. The four original national holidays granted in 1870 were New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Over time, the number of federal holidays has grown to 11.

Christmas Day is the only officially recognized religious holiday in the United States. However, employers may choose to grant floating holidays to employees who celebrate other religious holidays, such as Passover.

There are also some regional differences across the USA. For example, Mardi Gras is a legal state holiday in Louisiana and parts of Alabama, and California celebrates César Chávez Day as a state holiday.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, federal employees get the nearest weekday off: a Saturday holiday is observed on the preceding Friday, a Sunday holiday on the following Monday. This is known as an "in lieu of" holiday, and 2027 has four of them (see below).

US Federal Holidays 2027

Federal holidays represent significant historical events and figures in American history. For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates the civil rights leader's birthday and contribution to American society. Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, honors George Washington, the USA's first president. Here is the official 2027 schedule published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with the days on which federal employees have the day off.

Date (day off)	Holiday
Friday, January 1	New Year's Day
Monday, January 18	Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 15	Washington's Birthday
Monday, May 31	Memorial Day
Friday, June 18*	Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, July 5*	Independence Day
Monday, September 6	Labor Day
Monday, October 11	Columbus Day
Thursday, November 11	Veterans Day
Thursday, November 25	Thanksgiving Day
Friday, December 24*	Christmas Day
Friday, December 31*	New Year's Day 2028

*"In lieu of" holiday: Juneteenth (June 19) and Christmas Day (December 25) fall on a Saturday in 2027, Independence Day (July 4) on a Sunday. New Year's Day 2028 is a Saturday, so it is observed on Friday, December 31, 2027.

2027 Federal Holidays in Detail

New Year's Day (January 1)

New Year's Day celebrates the start of the Gregorian calendar year and was one of the four original national holidays created by Congress in 1870. Americans typically ring in the new year with parties, fireworks, and New Year's resolutions and spend January 1 with family and loved ones. In 2027, it falls on a Friday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18)

Every year on the third Monday of January, the United States honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to civil rights and social justice. Because it is tied to a Monday rather than a fixed date, it always creates a long weekend.

Washington's Birthday (February 15)

Originally established in 1879 to celebrate the birthday of the first U.S. president George Washington, this holiday is commonly referred to as Presidents' Day, as it no longer falls on Washington's actual birthday, February 22. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February.

Memorial Day (May 31)

Memorial Day commemorates and honors military personnel who died in service to the United States. Observed on the last Monday of May, it also marks the unofficial start of summer. All across the nation, there are parades and marching bands, and many Americans use this holiday to visit memorials and cemeteries.

Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)

Juneteenth is a fixed-date holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Held on the anniversary of the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas in 1865, Juneteenth celebrates freedom with music, speeches, cookouts, prayer, and family gatherings. It became a federal holiday in 2021, making it the newest federal holiday. In 2027, June 19 is a Saturday, so federal employees have Friday, June 18 off.

Independence Day (July 4)

Celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Independence Day is typically celebrated with parades, cookouts, and fireworks. In 2027, July 4 is a Sunday, so the federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5.

Labor Day (September 6)

On the first Monday of September, Labor Day recognizes the contributions of workers and the labor movement in the United States. Many Americans also see Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer, and they mark the occasion with parades.

Columbus Day (October 11)

Columbus Day honors Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas and is observed on the second Monday of October. On the same day, many states and cities celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, which honors the nation's indigenous peoples.

Veterans Day (November 11)

This federal holiday honors all U.S. military veterans for their service. It is a fixed-date holiday, marking the end of World War I in 1918. In 2027, it falls on a Thursday.

Thanksgiving Day (November 25)

On the fourth Thursday of November, Americans give thanks for the autumn harvest with family gatherings and a traditional turkey dinner. Thanksgiving is also associated with parades and American football events.

Christmas Day (December 25)

Christmas Day is the only religious holiday that is officially recognized in the United States. It is celebrated by Christians and many non-Christians with gifts, family gatherings, and traditional meals. In 2027, December 25 is a Saturday, so federal employees have Friday, December 24 off. One week later, on Friday, December 31, they also get the "in lieu of" day for New Year's Day 2028.

Employment and Legal Considerations

As an employer or employee in the United States, it is crucial to understand the nuances of federal holidays in terms of legal obligations and employment policies. Here we'll take a look at the employment implications and legal frameworks associated with such holidays.

Public and Private Sector Policies

Under federal law, non-essential federal offices are closed on federal holidays and employees are granted paid time off. As federal employees typically work Monday through Friday, they are granted "in lieu of" holidays if a federal holiday falls on a non-workday. In 2027, these are June 18, July 5, December 24 and December 31. The website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM.gov) provides full holiday schedules for future years, including any "in lieu of" holidays.

In the private sector, you are not legally required to observe these holidays: according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations or holidays. Many businesses still follow suit to stay consistent with public institutions. Notable dates such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day are almost universally observed, often accompanied by premium pay for employees who work on these days, although this is at the employer's discretion.

Get Ready for 2027

For HR professionals, understanding the USA's federal holidays is crucial to ensuring employee benefits are accurately accounted for and all regulations are met. Keep in mind that full-time and part-time employees may have different entitlements, so it's essential to maintain fairness and consistency in benefits.

When it comes to holiday planning, employers can benefit from an HR solution like flair. Our absence management feature allows you to automatically import public holidays into your team's schedules at each of your company's locations. It even takes state holidays, such as Emancipation Day and Mardi Gras, into account. This helps you to plan shifts and accurately calculate working hours, vacation allowances, and premium pay.