Holidays in the United States 2025

* = Dates of observance reflect the nearest working day. So, for example, Christmas Day in 2022 is Sunday, December 25; however, it is noted as Monday, December 26 for pay and leave purposes.

It's no surprise New Year's Day leads off our holiday calendar. What is perhaps a surprise is that the official federal New Year's Day holiday for 2022 actually fell on December 31, 2021. Huh? This occurred because January 1 was a Saturday. According to US law, when a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding Friday for pay and leave purposes. Similarly, when a holiday occurs on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. Since many holidays fall on specific dates rather than on, for example, the fourth Thursday in November, their occurrence throughout the week varies year-to-year. This results in the need for schools and employers to alter vacation schedules to ensure employees and students still receive the traditional time off.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a towering figure during middle part of the 20th century. He is recognized as having been one of the world's leading advocates for justice, equality, and human rights. King was a deeply polarizing figure in his own time. His tireless advocacy on behalf of the American Civil Rights Movement challenged deeply entrenched power structures and, ultimately, led to his assassination in 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated in the United States to honor King's legacy. Roughly a third of employers and many schools provide a day off to employees and students. While there are no traditional ways to observe MLK Day, many people advocate for a day of volunteering or service. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed legislation officially designating MLK Day as a national day of service. The only other such day in the US is the September 11 National Day of Service, otherwise known as 9/11 Day.

Washington's Birthday is better known as Presidents' Day. Officially designated in 1879, Washington's Birthday honors the nation's first (and some say greatest) president. Traditionally, the federal government and businesses that follow the federal holiday calendar provide one day off to their employees and staff. Customarily, there are no major celebrations that takes place on Presidents' Day, though some localities choose to mark the occasion with patriotic décor. Over time the holiday has shifted to a recognition of all presidents, or at least both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Despite there being no major traditions associated with Presidents' Day, people do occasionally celebrate with cherry pie, in homage Washington's apocryphal chopping down of a cherry tree in his youth. Another common occurrence around Presidents' Day is retail sales events. Car dealerships, furniture showrooms, and other large-ticket retailers often have Presidents' Day promotions and sales events. In fact, Trip.com is having a Presidents' Day sale. Check it out below!

Prior to Memorial Day becoming an official national holiday, states and localities would venerate fallen service members on differing days. These celebrations emerged during or shortly after the American Civil War when, naturally, there was a strong desire to honor the sacrifices of the fallen. As commemorations proliferated, the benefits became apparent for a single federal holiday the nation could observe collectively. Today, the federal government and many businesses generally provide employees one day off. Memorial Day celebrations tend to involve a parade, concerts featuring patriotic music, and events designed to honor service members generally. Some people make a point to visit a national cemetery if one is located nearby. On Memorial Day, headstones are traditionally adorned with a small American flag. It is a moving tribute.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves. During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing slaves in all states that were when in rebellion against the federal government. Naturally, slave owners in the American South resisted the proclamation, which had to be enforced by the arrival of Union troops. The history of Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union Army general Gordon Granger issued orders proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas. Juneteenth was first as recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Prior to that time, a majority of US states already recognized Juneteenth in one form or another. Observances of Juneteenth vary, but traditionally it is a time of family gathering over a meal. Larger localities may have parades and festivals where organizers encourage people to support local Black-owned businesses.

The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the US Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1776. It is traditionally a time for parades, barbecues, baseball games, family get-togethers, and of course fireworks. Americans love themselves some fireworks on the Fourth of July! In the weeks leading up to July 4, fireworks vendors spring up in parking lots all across the land and most municipalities stage official fireworks displays. These tend to be preceded by a parade earlier in the day and then maybe an afternoon or evening barbeque with friends and family. As night approaches, people gather at prime viewing locations to watch the fireworks dance and sparkle in the sky. The best part of Fourth of July fireworks is the grand finale. This is when the loudest and most elaborate fireworks are ignited in quick succession, creating a sonic cacophony reminiscent of some great wartime battle. Similar to Presidents' Day, the Fourth of July tends to be accompanied by retail sales events.

On the first Monday in September, Americans recognize the contribution of workers to the development of the United States. Unlike much of the world, which sets aside May 1 for the same purpose, there has long been suspicion and outright hostility towards organized labor in the United States. It was very much a conscious choice to disassociate recognition of labor from other similar movements elsewhere in the world. Ironically, however, it was in the United States that May 1 initially became a date on which to celebrate workers. Today, Labor Day is regarded as the unofficial end of summer. Many school districts schedule the start of the new school year around this time and families often elect to take their annual vacations in the lead up to Labor Day. Especially in northern states, Labor Day tends to be one last hurray of beach going, barbequing, and celebrating outdoors with friends and family. Banks and federal offices normally close for the day, as do many larger manufacturers.

Columbus Day, for now, remains a federal holiday in the United States. This is despite efforts by indigenous communities to transform Columbus Day into a recognition of peoples who suffered as result of European settler colonialism. Many Native Americans have long regarded celebrations of Christopher Columbus as highly offensive. Several states including Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, and parts of California no longer recognize Columbus Day, having replaced it with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Columbus Day now mostly goes unobserved outside of prominent Italian-American communities. There are no longer particular traditions associated with Columbus Day and you're unlikely to find many sectors outside the federal government, where Columbus Day is by law a holiday for federal employees, still offering workers time off to observe it.

Veterans Day celebrates service in the United States Armed Forces. In contrast to Memorial Day, which honors individuals who perished, Veterans Day is a time to acknowledge all former service members. Veterans Day traces its origins to the First World War and the sensation of hostilities at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In the United States, Veterans Day is no longer associated with the Great War. Traditional celebrations on Veterans Day include parades, dedications, or other ways of commemorating service members. Businesses will offer discounts to veterans or, if they already do so, will organize promotions or other event to call special attention to the day. As on Memorial Day, national cemeteries adore headstones with American flags and many people likewise make a point to visit a national cemetery on Veterans Day. Another way of observing Veterans Day is through service to the community in honor of those who have served the country in the armed forces.

Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest travel holiday in the United States. Each year around the end of November, millions of Americas board planes and trains or set out in their cars. Since 1941, Thanksgiving in the United States is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is one of America's most important holidays. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the good things in life and a time to spend with loved ones over a hearty meal. At a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is the most important dish on the table. The turkey is normally slow-roasted in the oven, filled with delicious stuffing, and served with plenty of side dishes including mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and tuna casserole. Another tradition is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the world's largest parade. TVs across America tune in to see the costumed performers, floats, and balloons make their way through New York City. You can also expect to see numerous sales events leading up to Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Christmas is indeed that time of year. Holiday jingles have been on endless loop since before Thanksgiving. The rush of Black Friday has given way to a last-minute scramble to buy presents for distant cousins you only see once or twice a year. The ornaments and stockings are all hung with care and many a little tot is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Christmas traditions come in endless variety. You can be sure Christmas is around the corner when the Christmas tree makes its annual appearance. Many people decorate their homes by stringing up a length of Christmas lights, hanging stockings by the fireplace, and adding the decorative bit of snow or sparkle to various nooks and crannies. Christmas culminates on December 25 with the traditional family gathering and exchange of gifts. It is the final event in the annual federal holiday calendar and a major shopping and travel holiday.

In this article, we focused on federal holidays. However, there are countless lesser occasions and celebrations that occur throughout the year in the United States. In fact, on any given day, there is likely to be a commemoration of some event of group. As you look forward to the rest of 2022, we wish you nothing but health and success and we hope you have a fantastic year!