Federal Holidays recognised by the United States Government are days when almost all government offices will be closed down and most businesses, banks, schools, etc. will operate either at greatly reduced or very limited capacity. 11 federal holidays occur nationwide in 2025 – And so they provide a scheduled break for all federal employees and also add to the potential “work calendars” across the country for all private employers.
As stated previously, federal holidays are created by law and viewed as a “holiday” for the civilian employees of the federal government. Private employers, however, do not have an obligation to observe federal holiday regulations and, therefore, depending on their own, autonomous decisions as to which holidays they will give time off to their employees, many private employers choose to give paid holiday time on the federally-created holidays.
Typically, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the holiday is moved either to the following Friday or to the prior Monday. The following is the complete list of federal holidays that occur in 2025, together with a summary of the purpose and significance of each holiday.
This is an update on the 2025 Federal Holidays (US).
January 1st, 2025, Wednesday: New Year’s Day, a Federal Holiday; New Year’s Day is a day to celebrate the start of a new year on the calendar, and Federal offices across the United States will be closed for business on this day.
January 20th, 2025, Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Federal Holiday; Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the day that we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., who was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated every year on January’s third Monday.
February 17th, 2025, Monday: Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day), a Federal Holiday; Washington’s Birthday was originally established to honour George Washington, but is now widely recognised as a day to honour all United States Presidents throughout history.
May 26th, 2025, Monday: Memorial Day, a Federal Holiday; Memorial Day is observed on the Last Monday of May each year and commemorates those men and women of the Armed Forces who have died while serving our nation.
June 19th, 2025, Thursday: Juneteenth National Independence Day, a Federal Holiday; June 19, 1865, was the day that the enslaved people in Texas first learned that they had been freed from slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is celebrated as National Freedom Day.
July 4, 2025, Friday: Independence Day, a Federal Holiday; On this day, we celebrate the signing of the Declaration by the Continental Congress in 1776. The holiday generally includes fireworks and community celebrations throughout the entire nation.
September 1, 2025, Monday: Labour Day, a Federal Holiday; This holiday recognises and honours American workers and the labour movement. The holiday occurs on the first Monday of September each year.
October 13, 2025, Monday: Columbus Day, a Federal Holiday; On this holiday, we recognise and honour Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. In several states, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is also recognised at the same time.
November 11, 2025, Tuesday: Veterans Day, a Federal Holiday; This holiday is in honour of all U.S. military veterans.
November 27, 2025, Thursday: Thanksgiving Day, a Federal Holiday; The holiday is dedicated to giving thanks and was established based on the harvest traditions. Many people across the country celebrate Thanksgiving Day as one of the largest holidays.
December 25, 2025, Thursday: Christmas Day, a Federal Holiday; The holiday is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and the day is celebrated by many as both a cultural and religious holiday throughout the world.
