What are federal holidays and who observes them
Federal holidays are specific days designated by the United States Congress in federal law (5 U.S.C. § 6103) on which nonessential federal government offices are closed and federal employees are paid for their time off. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is often treated as the holiday; when it falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically observed. These holidays establish a uniform calendar for federal operations and payroll, but state governments, private employers, schools, and banks set their own rules, which can differ from the federal schedule.
Overview of federal holidays in the United States
The United States observes 10 permanent federal holidays established by statute. New Year’s Day and Independence Day are fixed on January 1 and July 4. Washington’s Birthday and Memorial Day are observed on specific Mondays, while Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are also set by law. When these days fall on weekends, observance rules—established by federal agencies and often followed by states and employers—determine whether the observed day is the actual date or an adjacent weekday. Below is a table summarizing the standard dates and observance behavior for 2018.
2018 federal holiday calendar and observance
| Holiday | Legal date in 2018 | Observed day in 2018 | Typical rules for federal employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1 | Monday, January 1 | Closed; paid time off |
| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | Monday, January 15 | Monday, January 15 | Closed; paid time off |
| Washington’s Birthday | Monday, February 19 | Monday, February 19 | Closed; paid time off |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 28 | Monday, May 28 | Closed; paid time off |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Wednesday, June 19 | Wednesday, June 19 | Closed; paid time off; recognized by many agencies in 2018 |
| Independence Day | Tuesday, July 4 | Tuesday, July 4 | Closed; paid time off |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 3 | Monday, September 3 | Closed; paid time off |
| Columbus Day | Monday, October 8 | Monday, October 8 | Closed; paid time off for federal employees |
| Veterans Day | Monday, November 11 | Monday, November 11 | Closed; paid time off; or, if essential, excused leave with pay |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 22 | Thursday, November 22 | Closed; paid time off |
| Christmas Day | Monday, December 25 | Monday, December 25 | Closed; paid time off |
Pay rules and compensation on federal holidays
Federal employees paid hourly receive their regular hourly rate on holidays when they are not required to work; if federal offices are closed agencywide, they are generally paid for the holiday regardless of whether they work. Employees who must work on a holiday typically receive premium pay—often at least 1.5 times their regular rate—in addition to a separate holiday premium in some agencies. Federal contractors may be covered by executive orders or contract clauses that guarantee holiday pay or time and a half when work is performed on a federal holiday. Private-sector rules are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act and employer policies, so pay can vary, and hourly workers may or may not receive extra pay depending on state law and company practice.
Holiday observance rules when a holiday falls on a weekend
Federal agencies follow standardized observance rules issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If a holiday occurs on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is usually the observed holiday; if it occurs on a Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. For example, if New Year’s Day were to fall on a Sunday, federal employees would generally receive Monday off as the observed day. These rules ensure continuity of operations while giving employees a consistent three-day weekend when possible. States and private employers may follow similar conventions, but they are not required to adopt federal observance dates.
Which employers commonly follow federal holidays
Many banks, schools, state and local governments, and corporate workplaces align with the federal holiday calendar, but they are not obligated to do so. Private employers may grant additional holidays, fewer holidays, or substitute different days for the same or similar observance. Union contracts may specify holiday pay and substitutions on a case-by-case basis. Because practices vary widely by state, county, and company, employees should review their organization’s personnel policies, handbooks, or collective bargaining agreements to confirm which days are official holidays and how pay and leave are administered.
Key differences between federal holidays and state holidays
Federal holidays apply only to federal employees and operations; states may establish additional state holidays with separate rules for state workers. Some states recognize holidays that are not federal, while others observe slightly different dates or combine observances. For private employers, only state law mandates (such as mandated holidays for certain employers) and employment contracts affect obligations. Employees should verify both federal and state rules—particularly in states with additional legal holidays or alternative observance schedules—to understand the full set of days off and pay entitlements applicable to their situation.