US Public Holidays 2025 – Full Federal List and Dates

The United States observes eleven federal holidays throughout 2025, with most falling on Mondays to provide longer weekends for federal employees. These holidays range from New Year’s Day on January 1 to Christmas Day on December 25, covering significant national observances throughout the calendar year.

Federal holidays apply specifically to government employees and federally designated areas, though many private employers also observe these dates. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) maintains the official schedule, which remains consistent year to year with only minor variations when holidays fall on weekends.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of all 2025 federal holidays, organized by month, date, and day of the week, along with practical information for planning purposes throughout the year.

What Are the Federal Holidays in the US for 2025?

The federal government recognizes eleven standard holidays annually, with an additional observance applying to Washington, D.C. area employees during inauguration years. The following overview presents the first four holidays of the year in a scannable format.

Key Insights on US Public Holidays 2025

• The United States maintains eleven federal holidays for 2025, with most scheduled on Mondays to maximize weekend observances
• Juneteenth National Independence Day remains fixed on June 19, a Thursday, marking the end of slavery in the United States
• Independence Day falls on Friday, July 4, providing a natural long weekend without schedule adjustments
• Inauguration Day on January 20 applies exclusively to federal employees in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during this inauguration year
• Fixed-date holidays falling on weekends trigger alternative observance days according to federal guidelines
• Thanksgiving remains the notable exception to Monday holidays, observed on the fourth Thursday of November
• No federal holidays occur during August, though some states designate their own observances for that month

Complete Federal Holidays Table for 2025

US Public Holidays in 2025 by Month

Breaking down the federal holiday schedule by month helps identify which months contain observances and which remain clear for planning purposes. This organizational approach reveals patterns that assist with personal and professional scheduling throughout the year.

Federal Holidays in October 2025

October contains one federal holiday: Columbus Day, observed on Monday, October 13. This holiday falls on the second Monday of the month and is increasingly recognized under the alternative name Indigenous Peoples’ Day in various states and municipalities. Federal employees receive the day off, while many private employers follow suit.

Federal Holidays in August 2025

August stands out as a month with no federal holidays, according to the official OPM schedule. This absence creates a continuous stretch of working days from late July through early September, broken only by Labor Day in September. However, individual states may designate additional observances for August, such as Hawaii’s Statehood Day on August 18. For comprehensive state-specific schedules, timeanddate.com maintains detailed listings that complement the federal calendar.

Federal Holidays in December 2025

December closes the year with a single federal holiday: Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25. This fixed-date holiday marks the Christian celebration and typically triggers widespread business closures across both public and private sectors. The holiday falls on a Thursday, naturally creating a long weekend when paired with adjacent days.

Other Months Worth Noting

January begins the year with two holidays: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The year closes with a relatively light schedule in the final quarter, with only Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas marking the final weeks.

American Holidays in Chronological Order for 2025

Understanding the full sequence of American holidays throughout 2025 helps visualize the year’s rhythm of observances. The following chronological presentation traces the complete arc from January through December.

1. Wednesday, January 1 — New Year’s Day; the traditional start of the calendar year celebrated worldwide
2. Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day; honors the civil rights leader assassinated in 1968
3. Monday, February 17 — Washington’s Birthday; commemorates the first president, popularly observed as Presidents’ Day
4. Monday, May 26 — Memorial Day; a day of remembrance for military personnel who died in service
5. Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day; marks the announcement of emancipation in Texas in 1865
6. Friday, July 4 — Independence Day; celebrates the Declaration of Independence adopted in 1776
7. Monday, September 1 — Labor Day; acknowledges the contributions and achievements of American workers
8. Monday, October 13 — Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day; commemorates Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage while some jurisdictions instead honor indigenous peoples
9. Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day; recognizes military veterans of the United States Armed Forces
10. Thursday, November 27 — Thanksgiving Day; celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year
11. Thursday, December 25 — Christmas Day; commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ

Printable Federal Holidays Calendar for 2025

Those seeking a printable reference for federal holidays in 2025 will find that official downloadable calendar files provide the most reliable format for digital calendar applications. The Office of Personnel Management website offers iCalendar (.ICS) files that can be imported directly into most calendar programs.

While comprehensive visual calendar images are not provided through official government channels, the structured lists presented in this article can be manually transferred to personal planning systems. The chronological format above works particularly well for those who prefer printed references.

Federal vs State Holidays: What to Know

A clear distinction exists between federal holidays, which apply to government employees, and state holidays, which vary by jurisdiction. Understanding this difference prevents confusion when determining which days result in closures or modified schedules.

Fixed-date holidays falling on weekends receive alternative observance under federal guidelines. When such holidays fall on Saturday, federal employees receive a day off on the preceding Friday. When they fall on Sunday, the following Monday serves as the observance day.

Context and Background on US Federal Holidays

Federal holidays in the United States are established by Congress through legislation, with the current framework largely codified in the Federal Employees Pay Act. The original holiday schedule has evolved over more than a century, with Juneteenth becoming the most recent addition in 2021.

The list of eleven holidays balances religious observances, historical commemorations, and celebrations honoring various segments of American society. Each holiday carries significant cultural meaning, though the specific traditions and how Americans observe these days vary widely across regions and communities.

Proposals to add additional holidays, such as Flag Day, have been discussed but remain unadopted at the federal level. The existing schedule represents compromises reached over decades of legislative debate and public consideration.

Official Sources and Key Quotes

The Office of Personnel Management serves as the primary authoritative source for federal holiday schedules in the United States. Their official guidance at OPM.gov provides the definitive list and detailed rules regarding observance.

The United States has ten holidays in general, and one additional holiday for federal employees in the Washington, DC area, for a total of eleven holidays.

According to OPM guidance, the holiday schedule remains consistent year to year, with only the specific dates changing based on calendar calculations. Inauguration Day, occurring every four years on January 20, applies only to federal employees serving in or near the nation’s capital during those years.

Secondary sources like timeanddate.com provide additional context including state-specific observances and historical information about each holiday’s origins and significance.

Upcoming US Holidays and Planning Tips

For those planning ahead, the first federal holiday of 2025 is New Year’s Day on January 1, falling on a Wednesday. The subsequent holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, arrives on January 20, providing the first Monday off of the new year.

Planning strategies for 2025 should account for the concentration of Monday holidays throughout the year, which creates natural opportunities for extended weekends. The absence of federal holidays in August also creates an ideal window for vacation planning or project deadlines that require uninterrupted time.

Those seeking related information about holiday markets and celebrations might find our article on Lincoln Christmas Market 2025 – Cancelled Status, Alternatives useful for understanding how similar observances function internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions