Federal Holidays in the USA 2025: Essential Dates for HR Teams

As you plan ahead for 2025, it's helpful to keep in mind the holiday schedule. There are 11 federal holidays designated by the US federal government. On these days, federal employees receive paid time off. While private businesses are not required to observe federal or state holidays, many do 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.

In 2025 there will also be an Inauguration Day, which occurs every four years when the president elect is sworn into office. Federal employees in Washington, DC are entitled to a holiday on this day.

If holidays fall on a weekend, they are typically observed on the nearest weekday, which may be the preceding Friday or the following Monday. This is known as an “in-lieu-of” holiday.

US Federal Holidays 2025

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, along with Abraham Lincoln and other past presidents. Each federal holiday not only reflects the country's values and history but also serves as a reminder of the milestones in the journey of the nation.

2025 Holiday Schedule

2025 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 2025, it falls on a Wednesday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20)

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. This is a “floating” holiday, which means it always falls on a Monday.

It’s worth noting that in 2025, January 20 will also be Inauguration Day. Both holidays will be observed on the same day, meaning there will not be an extra day off for federal employees in Washington, DC.

Washington’s Birthday (February 17)

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

Memorial Day (May 26)

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 was first officially recognized in 2021, making it the newest federal holiday. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday.

Independence Day (July 4)

Celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Independence Day is typically celebrated with parades, cookouts, and fireworks. It is always held on July 4, which is a Friday in 2025, giving many Americans a long weekend to look forward to.

Labor Day (September 1)

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 13)

Columbus Day honors Christopher Columbus’s landing in the Americas and is observed on the Second Monday of October. On the same day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated as an alternative to Columbus Day, celebrating 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 2025, it falls on a Tuesday.

Thanksgiving Day (November 27)

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. Falling on a Thursday in 2025, Christmas Day in the United States is celebrated by Christians and many non-Christians with gifts, family gatherings, and traditional meals.

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, ensuring your practices are compliant with federal law.

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. However, in 2025 there are no “in lieu of” holidays. 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, while you are not legally mandated to observe these holidays, many businesses follow suit to maintain consistency 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 2025

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.

Plan Your 2025 Holiday Schedule With flair

With efficient absence management and flexible shift planning, flair can help you avoid understaffing during public holidays and facilitates premium pay rates for holiday workers. Speak to us to see how your business could benefit from flair.

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