Federal Holidays 2025: Complete US Holiday Calendar Explained
Why the 2025 Federal Holiday Calendar Matters
If you live in the United States, federal holidays shape everything from office closures and school breaks to travel plans and overtime pay. Knowing the official 2025 federal holiday calendar up front makes it easier to schedule vacations, project deadlines and family events without surprise “office closed” days.
The US government recognizes 11 federal holidays each year. On these dates, most federal offices, many banks and a large share of corporate workplaces close, while essential services and some private employers remain open under special rules. Here’s the full 2025 list, plus a plain‑English explainer of what each holiday means.
List of US Federal Holidays in 2025
These are the 11 federal holidays officially observed in the United States in 2025:
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20, 2025
- Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Monday, February 17, 2025
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Juneteenth National Independence Day – Thursday, June 19, 2025
- Independence Day – Friday, July 4, 2025
- Labor Day – Monday, September 1, 2025
- Columbus Day – Monday, October 13, 2025
- Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025
Because of how 2025 falls, most holidays create long weekends, especially the Monday observances and the Friday Independence Day date.
Month‑by‑Month Federal Holidays in 2025
January 2025
New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
The first federal holiday of the year. Most government offices, banks and many private companies close, and public transit may run on a reduced schedule.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20
Observed on the third Monday in January, this day honors civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s often marked by community service events and educational programs.
February 2025
Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Monday, February 17
Officially Washington’s Birthday under federal law, this day is widely known as Presidents’ Day. It recognizes George Washington and, more broadly, all US presidents. It also anchors major winter retail sales.
May 2025
Memorial Day – Monday, May 26
The last Monday in May is dedicated to honoring US military personnel who died in service. It’s also considered the unofficial start of summer, with many people traveling or opening the summer season.
June 2025
Juneteenth National Independence Day – Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, marking the effective end of slavery in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021 and is increasingly recognized by employers and schools.
July 2025
Independence Day – Friday, July 4
America’s Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Expect fireworks, parades, barbecues and heavy travel. In 2025 it falls on a Friday, creating a natural long weekend.
September 2025
Labor Day – Monday, September 1
Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day honors American workers and the labor movement. It’s viewed as the unofficial end of summer, with many schools starting around this time and businesses adjusting seasonal schedules.
October 2025
Columbus Day – Monday, October 13
Columbus Day marks Christopher Columbus’s 1492 landing in the Americas and is a federal holiday. Some states and cities observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead, or alongside it, to honor Native American history and cultures.
November 2025
Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11
Veterans Day recognizes all US military veterans, living and deceased. Unlike Memorial Day, which focuses on those who died in service, this day honors everyone who has served. Government offices and many banks close, and parades or ceremonies are common.
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest family holidays of the year. It marks a traditional harvest celebration and is closely tied to travel, large meals and the start of the holiday shopping season. The Friday after Thanksgiving, while not a federal holiday, is widely taken off or given as a company holiday.
December 2025
Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25
Christmas is a federal holiday with both religious and secular traditions in the US. Most offices and many businesses close, and some may also operate on reduced hours on Christmas Eve.
Who Gets Federal Holidays Off?
Federal holidays are created for employees of the US federal government. On these days, non‑essential federal offices close and most federal workers receive paid time off. Postal services typically pause regular mail delivery, and many banks follow the federal calendar.
Private‑sector employers are not legally required to close or offer paid time off on federal holidays, but many do for at least the “big” dates like New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each company sets its own holiday and PTO policy, so employees often check their HR handbook or union contract to know exactly which days are paid.
How Federal Holidays Affect Travel and Business
Federal holidays heavily shape US travel patterns. Long weekends around Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving are some of the busiest times on highways and at airports, which can mean higher prices and more congestion.
For businesses, especially global teams working with US partners or clients, the 2025 federal holiday calendar is a planning tool. It helps avoid scheduling major launches, deadlines or meetings on days when key contacts will be offline, and it allows marketing and HR teams to time campaigns and internal events around widely recognized breaks.
